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Ecclesiastical   Records 


STATE   OF   NEW  YORK 


Published  by  the  State  under  the  supervision  of 


HUGH  HASTINGS,  State  Historian 


Volume  I 


ALBANY 
JAMES  B.  LYON,  STATE  PRINTER 

J90J 


PREFACE 


Hon.  Timothy  L.  "WoodbufFj  Lieutenant-Govertior  of  the  State  of 
New  YorJc,  Senate  Chamber,  Alhcmy,  N.  Y. 

Sir:  Herewitli  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to  the  Legislature 
the  copy  of  two  volumes  of  records  relating  to  the  ecclesiastical 
history  of  the  State  of  New  York,  which  by  legislative  enactment 
have  been  prepared  under  the  supervision  of  the  State  Historian. 
The  active  prosecution  of  this  work  has  been  conducted,  however, 
by  the  Rev.  Edw^ard  T.  Corwin,  D.  D.,  whose  long  residence  in  Hol- 
land and  thorough  knowledge  of  the  Dutch  language,  well  qualify 
him  for  the  important  task  he  has  undertaken.  Since  1841,  when 
the  State  of  'New  York  dispatched  John  Romeyn  Brodhead  to 
Europe  to  collect  documents  affecting  the  history  of  this  State,  an 
impression  has  prevailed  that  Dutch  correspondence  of  a  price- 
less value  bearing  upon  our  colonial  tunes,  had  been  carelessly 
destroyed  a  hundred  years  ago.  Dr.  Corwin's  researches,  which 
were  prosecuted  through  the  generosity  of  the  Synod  of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Church,  have  fortunately  exploded  this  fallacy 
by  the  results  w'hich  he  produces  in  the  two  accompanying 
volumes. 

The  general  plan  of  the  work  contemplated  an  ecclesiastical  hifl- 
tory  of  New  York,  embracing  every  denomination,  each  secular 
narrative  told  by  a  representative  member  of  the  denomination, 
from  the  earliest  Dutch  times.  To  that  end  copiouB  extracts  from 
colonial  and  documentary  records  have  been  taken  and  utilized, 
and  in  order  to  forge  missing  links  to  the  chain,  quotations  from 
standard  religious  publications  have  been  made. 


ii  PaEFACE. 

The  first  appropriation  for  this  work  was  given  by  the  Legis- 
lature of  1S99,  and  reads  as  follows: 

^^  For  translation  of  copied  documents  in  the  possession  of 
ecclesiastical  archives  of  Amsterdam  and  the  Hague,  relating 
to  the  colonial  history  of  the  state  of  'New  York,  and  for  their 
preparation  for  publication,  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars,  or 
as  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  paid  work  to  be  done  under 
the  general  direction  of  the  state  historian.'' 

By  July  1,  1899,  all  the  preliminaries  having  been  made  under 
the  advice  and  with  the  co-operation  of  Attorney-General  John  C. 
Davies  and  the  State  Comptroller,  the  late  Colonel  William  J. 
Morgan,  both  of  whom  evinced  earnest  interest  in  the  undertak- 
ing, the  work  of  translating  and  transcribing  the  records  began 
and  has  been  pushed  with  energy,  consistent  with  accuracy,  ever 
since.  The  laborious  effort  necessary  in  putting  into  English, 
records  of  this  character,  can  only  be  understood  by  those  who 
have  had  experience  in  handling  them.  The  volumes  now  sul>- 
mitted  to  the  Legislature  represent  fifty  per  cent,  of  the  entire 
material  in  hand,  and  cover  the  period  from  1621  to  1700.  The 
matter  involved  embraces  the  period  of  Dutch  rule,  the  conquest 
of  the  Dutch  by  the  English,  the  temporary  reversion  to  Dutch 
rule,  the  restoration  of  the  English  domination  and  the  Leisler 
rebellion.  Light  is  thrown  upon  many  religious  propositions  for 
the  first  time. 

During  its  progress,  the  work  received  a  serious  set  back  and 
the  State  suffered  a  serious  loss  in  the  untimely  death  of  Dr. 
Corwin's  assistant  in  translations,  the  Rev.  Daniel  Yan  Pelt, 
D.  D.  Advised  by  his  physician  of  the  efficacy  of  salt-water  bath- 
ing, Dr.  Van  Pelt,  Who  w^as  suffering  from  a  nervous  affection,  left 
his  home  in  Astoria  about  midnight  on  October  23,  1900,  and 
repaired  to  a  lonely  cove  near  Hell  Gate.  A  few  minutes  later 
cries  from  the  direction  of  the  water  were  heard.  The  next  morn- 
ing the  neighborhood  was  examined  and  clothing  was  found,  care- 


Peeface. 


Ill 


fully  folded  and  arranged,  upon  a  rock.  The  presumption  that  he 
ventured  beyond  his  depth  or  had  fallen  into  a  pitfall,  with  which 
that  locality  abounds,  and  was  swept  away  by  the  swiftly  running 
current,  was  justified,  for  several  days  later,  the  body  was  discov- 
ered several  miles  distant.  Dr.  Yan  Pelt  was  one  of  the  most 
accomplished  scholars  in  the  country.  He  was  thoroughly  pro: 
ficient  in  the  languages,  especially  in  the  Dutch,  of  which  he  had 
made  a  special  study. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

HUGH  HASTINGS, 

State  Historian. 

State  CapitoI/,  Albany,  1^.  Y.,  Jan.  7,  1901. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


(All  documents  arranged  under  the  heads  of  the  respective  Governors,  and  in 

chronological  order.) 


PRELIMINARY. 
1621.  PAGE. 

Aug.     24  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Haarlem 32 

Names  of  delegates,  including  that  of  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius, 

pastor  at  Hem. 
Note  on  village  of  Hem. 
1622. 

The  Walloons  petition  to  be  allowed  to  go  to  New  Netherland.  .     36 
Note  on  the  Walloons. 
1623-4. 

Note  on  the  First  and  Second  Directors,  Cornelius  Jacobsen 

May  and  William  Verhulst 37 

1624. 

Aug.       6  ct  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Enkhuysen 38 

Decisions    as    to   what   ecclesiastical    bodies   are   to   control 
colonial  churches. 
1625. 

Aug.     12  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Edam 39 

Oversight  of  colonial  churches  —  Rev.  Jonas  Michielse 
(Michaelius)  goes  from  Hem  to  Brazil  —  Notes  on  the 
Dutch  in  Brazil;  and  the  Dutch  church  in  Brazil. 


THE  ADMINISTRATION  OF  PETER  MINUIT,  1626-1632. 

Note  on  Peter  Minuit  —  Tablet  to  his  memory 43 

1626. 

Note  on  Comforters  of  the  Sick  —  Tablet  to  their  memory ....     45 
1628. 
Aug.     11     Letter  of  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius,  of  New  Amsterdam,  to  Rev. 
Adrian  Smoutius  (and  others)  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 

In  Dutch  and  English 49 

Incidents. —  Death  of  his  wife ;  character  of  the  voyage.  The 
Church. —  Consistory  appointed ;  first  celebration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper;  Walloon  services  in  French;  subjection  to 
ministers  in  Amsterdam;  names  of  members  of  Consistory. 
Civil  Matters. —  The  'Natives;  their  character;  diflBculties 
of  their  conversion;  their  language;  duty  of  instructing  In- 

V 


vi  Table  of  Contents. 

1628. 
Aug.      11  PAGE. 

dian  children;  prayer  and  sovereignty  of  God  —  Ministerial 

support:     house-keeping;     farming;     food;     need     of    land 

(glebe)  ;  need  of  farmers  —  Condition  of  the  Colony:  wars; 

industries;   climate;   harvests  —  Michaelius'  relation  to  the 

Church  of  Holland;  correspondence;  conclusion 49-73 

Note  on  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius  —  Tablet  to  his  memory  — 
Not€  on  Johannes  Michaelius,  his  cousin  —  Notes  on  Rev. 
Adrian  Smoutius  and  the  others  mentioned  in  the  letter, 
being  the  Committee  on  Colonial  Churches. 

Aug.     15  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Amsterdam 74 

Art.  20.     English  Synod  in  Holland. 

Art.  51.     Regulations  for  the  colonial  churches. 

1629. 
June       7     Patroons    in   New   Netherland,    their    duties    in    reference    to 

ministers  and  schoolmasters  as  adopted  by  the  West  India 

Company 75 

Aug.     20  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Hoorn 75 

Art.  13.     Contracts  with  ministers  going  to  the  colonies. 

Art.  17.     English  Synod  in  Holland. 

Art.  19.     Care  of  persecuting  churches. 

Art.  35.     Church  regulations  for  the  colonies. 

1630. 

Patroons  in  New  Netherland.    Their  duties  in  reference  to  min- 
isters, schoolmasters  and  bond-servants,  as  adopted  by  the 

States-General   78 

Oct.        1  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Enckhuysen 79 

Art.     7.     Preachers  for  the  colonies. 

Art.  11.     English  Synod  in  Holland. 

Art.  17.     Church-Order  in  the  colonies. 

Art.  26.     Comforters  of  the  sick  for  the  colonies. 

Art.  28.     Comforters  of  the  sick  must  be  regularly  called. 

Art.  36.     Order  of  Extracts. 

1631. 

Aug.     19  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Edam 81 

Art.     8.     English  Synod  in  Holland. 
Art.  13.     Church-Order  in  the  colonies. 

1632. 

June       7     Classis  of  Artisterdam  81 

Everardus  Bogardus  seeks  final  examination. 
14     Examination  and  ordination  of  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus* 81 


*As  most  of  the  Extracts  are  from  the  Acts  of  the  Classis,  or  from  the 
Acts  of  their  Deputies  on  Foreign  Affairs,  including  the  Correspondence,  it 
will  not  be  necessary  in  this  Table  of  Contents  to  specify  hereafter  "  Classis  " 
or  "  Deputies "  or  "  Correspondence,"  as  this  will  appear  in  the  Extracts 
themselves. 


Table  of  Contents.  vii 

1632.  PAGE. 

Aug.     17  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Alckmaer 82 

Art.  10.     English  Synod  in  Holland. 

Art.  17.     Extracts   from  Acts   of   other    Synods,   concerning 

English  ministers  in  Holland. 
Art.  38.     Ministerial  changes.     Everardus  Bogardus  goes  to 

New  Netherland. 


THE  ADMINISTRATION  OF  WOUTER  VAN  TWILLER,  1633-1637. 

1633. 

April  Note   from   Brodhead   as   to   his   arrival,   and   the   arrival   of 

Domine  Bogardus  —  Note  from  O'Callaghan  on  the  same.  ...     84 

Aug.       9  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Haarlem 84 

Art.  10.     English  Synod  in  Holland. 
Art.  33.     Preachers  practicing  medicine. 
The  first  church  building  in  New  Amsterdam 85 

1634. 

Aug.     14  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Amsterdam 86 

Art.  55.     Ministerial  changes.     Rev.  John  Megapolensis. 

1635. 

Aug.     14  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Hoorn 86 

Art.  7.     Printing  of  the  newly- translated  Bib^^. 
Dec.        3     Rev.  Johannes  Theodorus  Polheim  requests  to  oe  sent  to  the 

West  Indies  87 

The  church  in  Virginia   (New  Amsterdam)   asks  for  another 
minister. 
1636. 
April      7     Lubbertus  Van  Dincklagen  complains  of  Dominie  Bogardus ....     87 
Committee    appointed    to    draft    Articles    for    the    colonial 
churches. 

April    17     Deputies  on  Foreign  Affairs 89 

May.       5     Regulations  drawn  up  by  the  Deputies  relating  to  the  colonial 

churches  of  the  East  and  West  Indies,  and  adopted  by 

the  Classis 89-91 

I     Of  ministers. 
II     Of  Comforters  of  the  Sick. 
Ill     Of  their  Presentation  to  the  Directors  of  the  East  and 

West  India  Companies. 
^V     Of  their  Instructions. 
VI     Of  Schoolmasters. 

Addendum,     East  and  West  India  Companies. 
Record  Books. 

Note  on  volumes  39  and  37. 
June       7     "  Form  of  Call "  for  ministers  going  to  the  colonies  adopted  — 
The  Form  itself  —  Other  Forms  adopted  for  Candidates, 
Comforters  of  the  Sick  and  schoolmasters,   going  to  the 
colonies 91-106 


viii  Table  of  Contents. 

1636.  PAGE. 

June       7         1.  The  Form  of  Call  for  Candidates,  with  Instructions. 

2.  The  Form  of  Call  for  Comforters  of  the  Sick,  with  Instruc- 

tions. 

3.  Instructions  and  Credentials  for  schoolmasters. 

4.  Form  of  Credential  and  Instructions  for  a  minister  with 

an  Ambassador  or  Resident. 

5.  Rules  and  Articles,  with  Instructions  for  ministers  going 

to  MuscoA'y. 

6.  Instructions  for  the  minister  in  Muscovy  and  Archangel. 

7.  Form   of   Appointment   and   Instructions   for    Candidates 

sailing  on  Men  of  War. 

8.  Form  of  Instruction  for  ministers  on  Men  of  War. 

9.  Instructions  for  the  minister  going  to  Smyrna. 

Aug.       4     West   Indies,     Inquiry  about   a   certain   paper   held  by   Hon. 

Councillor   Carpentier    108,  109 

West  Indies.     Paper  of  Hachtoo   (or  Ibachtoo),  sent  to  Di- 
rectors of  West  India  Company. 
Plan  for  the  government  of  the  West  India  churches  —  to  be 
devised. 

Sept.      9  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Enckhuysen 109 

Art.  34.     Preacher  for  the  West  Indies. 

Art.  35.     Ministerial  Changes  —  Rev.  Johannes  Polhemus. 

(Fall?)       Plan    of   government    for    West    India    churches    (Brazil)    re- 
ported      110 

1637. 
April      6     East  and  We&t  Indies  —  Can  Comforters  of  the  Sick  perform 

marriages  and  baptize?    110 

Committee  on  Indian   ( colonia,! )   affairs. 

Aug.     10  et  seq.     Synod  of  iSTorth  Holland  at  Edam Ill 

Ministers  sent  to  Brazil. 
Sept.      7     Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius  is  asked  to  return  to  New  Netherland.  .    Ill 
Oct.        5     Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius  —  Indians,    East    and    West  —  Plan  to 

be  devised  to  reach  them Ill 

Nov.       2     Affairs  in  the  West  Indies 112 

16     Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius  to  be  further  urged  for  New  Netherland.  112 


ADJ^HNISTRATION   OF  WILLIAM  KIEFT.     March    1638-1647. 

1638. 

April    10     West  Indies  —  Brazil  —  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius 114 

26     The  States-General  urge  the  colonization  of  New  Netherland 

—  Clergymen  —  Brazil 114 

June       7     Rev.   Jonas  INIichaelius   again  recommended   for  New   Nether- 
land     116 

July       5     Rev.  Jonas  ]\richaelius ;  last  reference  to  him 116 

Notes  on  Rev.  Johannes  Michielsen  in  England,  and  on  the 
Dutch  in  England. 


Table  of  Contents.  ix 

1638.  PAGE. 

July       8     The   New  Netherland   Council   resolve  to   retain   Domine   Bo- 

gardus 113 

22     A  mortgage  given  to  Bogardus 118 

Aug.       2     The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  adopt  a  seal 118 

1633-1638. 

A  church  and  parsonage  included  in  a  list  of  buildings  erected.  119 
1638. 

Aug.     16  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Alckmaer   119,  120 

Art.  21.     English  ceremony  in  Holland. 

Art.  28.     Synod  of  Utrecht  awaits  reports  of  the  colonial 

churches. 
Art.  29.     Ministerial  changes  —  Rev.  John  Megapolensis. 
Art.  30.     The  new  translation  of  the  Bible. 
Art.  33.     Status  of  uneducated  ministers  in  the  Indies  on 
returning  to  Holland. 
Aug.  30-Sept  2     Articles  in  reference  to  Eeligion  in  the  "  Proposed  Ar- 
ticles   for    Colonization    and    Trade    in    New   Nether- 
land "    120,  121 

1639. 
June       6     Cornelius   Pietersen   offers   to   go   to   Virginia    (New   Nether- 
land )  ;  accepted 121 

July     18     Adam  Eoalandsen,  schoolmaster,  goes  to  New  Netherland 122 

18     Pieter  Vanderlinde  to  West  Indies 122 

29     Classis  of  Brazil 122 

29     Difficulties  in  England  and  Scotland 122 

Letter  to  be  written  to  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 

Baptismal  Eegister  of  Church  of  New  York 123 

Aug.       1  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Haarlem   123-126 

Art.  29.     Status   of   uneducated   ministers   on   returning   to 

Holland. 
Art.  33.     Extracts  from  Acts  of  the  other  Synods  respecting 

the  care  of  the  colonial  churches. 
Art.  46.     Further  treatment  of  the  same. 
Art.  47.     Question  as  to  the  right  of  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam over  the  colonial  churches. 

1640. 

March  19  Lubbert  Van  Dincklagen  asks  to  be  relieved  from  his  excom- 
munication by  Domine  Bogardus  —  Action  on  Van  Dinckla- 
gen's  salary   126 

April     23     Foreign  churches  —  Ceremonies  in  —  Comforters  of  the  Sick 

sent  to    127 

May        7     Lubbertus     Van     Dincklagen  —  Everardus     Herdenbergius  — 

James  Dincklagen    129 

July     19     Articles  on  Religion  in  New  Charter  of  Patroonships 130 

Aug.     21  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Amsterdam 130-135 

Art.     9.     English  Ceremonies. 


X  Table  of  Contents. 

1640.  PAGE. 

Aug.     21         Art.  30.     Correspondence  among  the   several   Synods   as  to 

whom  pertains  the  right  to  govern  the  colonial 
churches. 

Oct.     —     Synod  of  North  Holland  —  Extra  Session   135 

Art.  20.     East  and  West  India  Church  Affairs. 

Sept.      4     Megapolensis 135 

Oct.      15     John  Cornelisz  Backer   136 

Dec.        3     Classis  of  Amsterdam  will  examine  the  Petitions  of  the  several 

Synod  about  East  and  West  India  Affairs 136 

1641. 

Feb.  26  and  Mar.  25     John  C.  Backer  examined  in  part 136 

May  6  and  June  3     John  C.  Backer  further  examined 137 

June  6  Conditions  under  which  an  English  Company  may  settle  in  New 
Netherland — (Rev.  Francis  Doughty,  Newtown),  with  ex- 
tract on  religion,  from  Patent 137 

Aug.     13     Svnod  of  North  Holland  at  Hoorn 138,  139 

Art.  29.     Correspondence  among  the  Provincial  Synods  about 

the  care  of  the  colonial  churches. 
Art.  49,  2.     On  ministers  practising  medicine. 

Sept.  2,  3;  Oct.  7,  8;  Nov  1     John  C.  Backer  further  examined 140 

Nov.     19     John  C.  Backer  informs  the  Classis  of  ministers  willing  to  go 

to  the  West  Indies   141 

19     Letter  from  New  Netherland,   read  —  Consistory  there  vindi- 
cates Bogardus  against  Van  Dincklagen 142 

Dec.        2     John  C.  Backer  finally  passes  his  examination;  to  be  ordained.  142 

1642. 

Feb.        7     House  for  Adam  Roelantsen,  schoolmaster 143 

March  6  Contract  between  Patroon  Van  Rensselaer  and  Rev.  John  Mega- 
polensis      143 

17  Van  Rensselaer  seeks  the  approbation  of  the  Classis,  on  his 

contract  with  Megapolensis   145 

18  Megapolensis  accepts  the  call  before  the  Deputies  of  Classis. . .    146 
22     Copy  of  Call  on  Megapolensis 146 

April  1  Spanish  translation  of  the  Belgic  Confession  of  Faith  —  The 
West  India  Company  —  Extracts  from  letters  of  Consistory 
of  New  Amsterdam  to  be  read  about  Van  Dincklagen 148 

7  Vindication  of  Bogardus  against  Van  Dincklagen,  by  Consistory 

of  New  Amsterdam 149 

8  Megapolensis  dismissed  from  his  church  and  Classis 149 

22     Letter  from  Classis  to  Consistory  of  New  Amsterdam 150 

24     Letters  sent  to  East  and  West  Indies  and  New  Netherland. .  .  .  152 

May        5     The  case  of  Bogardus  and  Van  Dincklagen 152 

June       2     Johannes  Megapolensis 152 

3     Memorandum  for  Domine  Johannes  Megapolen?'*  as  he  starts 

for  America   153 

6     Agreement  between  Van  Rensselaer  and  the  West  India  Com- 
pany about  Megapolensis 154 

Catalogue  of  Books  sent  to  Rensselaerwyck 155 


Table  of  Contents.  xi 

1642.  PAGE. 

July     21     John  C.  Backer  eager  to  go  to  the  West  Indies 15G 

Aug.     11     Arrival  of  Megapolensis  —  O'Callaghan's  remarks 156 

First  Church  at  Rensselaerwyck. 

12     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Enckhuysen loS 

Art.  34.     East  and  West  Indies  —  Complaints  that  the  Synod 
of  North  Holland  arrogates  to  itself  the  care  of  the  colonial 
churches  —  Remedies  proposed. 
Aug.  19  and  Sept.  22     John  C.  Backer  —  The  Company  had  delayed  send- 
ing  him  —  Reasons    for    delay  —  Company   pre- 
sent him  one  hundred   dollars 161,  162 

Oct.      16     John  C.  Backer  ordained  and  sent  to  Curacoa  —  Classis  of  Zee- 
land  —  West  Indies  —  Brazil  —  Letters  to  Brazil   163 

Note.     The    Old    Church    in    the    Fort,    at    New  Amsterdam. 

O'Callaghan's   remarks  —  Brodhead's   remarks 163 

1642-4. 

Note.     The  Jesuits  in  Central  New  York 166-169 

Rescue  of  Fathers  Jogues  and  Bressani. 
1643. 
Jan.      31     Petition  of  the  Dutch  and  other  Foreign  Churches  in  England 

to  the  House  of  Lords 168 

May        6     List  of  Books  in  a  private  family  in  New  Netherland 168 

June     16     Van  Curler's  letter  to  the  Patroon 168 

July     27     Collections    to   be   taken   for    suflfering   churches   in   England. 

Notes 169 

31     Extracts  from  Coetus  in  Brazil,  Nov.  12,  1642 170 

(Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  a  member.) 

Aug.     11  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Edam 173-177 

Art.     3.     Ministers  practising  medicine. 
Art.  27.     East  and  West  Indies. 
Art.  30.     Exiles  from  Ireland. 
Art.  54.     Churches  of  England. 
Art.  57.     Baptism  of  Comforters  of  the  Sick. 
Art.  57.     Extracts  from  Acts  of  other  Synods  about  colonial 
churches;  churches  in  England. 
31     Letter  from  London  —  Distress  in  Ireland  —  Alms  solicited...    177 

Sept.      7     Alms  for  the  Irish  churches 178 

Nov.  13,  16.     Collection  for  England   179 

1644. 

April      4    Letter  from  Synod  of  London  —  Collection  for  Ireland  —  Lub- 

bert  Van  Dincklagen  and  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus 180 

"May       2     Letter  from  Synod  of  London  —  Collection  for  Ireland  —  Cata- 
logue of  ministers  of  the  Classis  —  Dincklagen 181 

June     13     Letter  to  the  Synod  of  Holland  ordered  —  The  letter  read  — 

In  Latin  183 

July     17     Copy  of  said  letter  for  preservation 183 

Aug.  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Alckmaar 183-185 

Art  26.     East  and  West  Indies. 

Art.  36.     Letter  from  London  to  be  answered. 


xii  Table  of  Contents. 

1644.  PAGE. 

Aug.  et  seq.   Art.  42.     Baptism  by  Comforters  of  the  Sick. 

Art.  52.     Letter  in  Greek  from  the  Bishop  of  Ephesus. 
Oct.      16     Book  of  Apollonius  on  Church  Government;  sent  to  Westmin- 
ster     185 

Nov.       7     Letter  from  Rev.  Johannes  Bacherus,  of  Curacoa,  etc 186 

To  make  request  for  more  ministers  for  the  West  Indies 18G 

Magapolensis's  Book  on  Mohawk  Indians 187 

On  Rev.  Richard  Denton's  removal  from  New  England  to  Hemp- 
stead, Long  Island  187 

Report  of  Board  of  Accounts  on  New  Netherland 187 

1645. 
March  23     Rev.  E.  Bogardus  refuses  to  receive  a  written  admonition  from 

the  Director 188 

June     26     Extracts  from  Acts  of  Coetus  of  Brazil 189 

July     24     Deputies  request  the  West  India  Company  to  send  seven  more 
ministers  to  Brazil  —  Extracts  about  colonial  churches  to  be 

sent  to  the  Synod 189,  190 

Aug.       8  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Haarlem 190-192 

Art.  20.     East  and  West  Indies. 
Oversight  of  colonial  churches. 
Progress  in  Brazil. 

Art.  52.     Church   Government   in   England, 
(Presbyterianism  adopted.) 
Aug.     31.     Day  of  Thanksgiving  appointed  for  Peace  with  the  Indians..    192 
Sept.    21     Action  of  West  India  Company  on  Ministers  in  New  Nether- 
land and  Brazil    193 

1646. 

May      28     Brazil  —  Minister  to  New  Netherland 194-196 

Extracts  from  Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Brazil. 
June       5     New  Netherland ! 196 

11  Council  of  New  Netherland  summons  Rev.  E.  Bogardus  to  an- 

swer certain  charges 196-200 

12  New  Netherland  —  Brazil 201 

25     John  Walraven,  chorister  and  schoolmaster  for  New  Nether- 
land   201 

Ministers  sought  for  New  Netherland. 

July       8     New  Netherland  —  Brazil 203 

9     Remonstrance  to  the  Company  by  the  Classis  about  neglect  of 

church  privileges  in  the  West  Indies 203-209 

28     Commission  of  Peter   Stuyvesant 209,.  210 

July       ?     Extracts  about  East  and  West  India  churches 210 

28     Calls  to  New  Netherland  declined  —  Bogardus  to  be  asked  to 

stay 210,  211 

Aug.       7  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Amsterdam 211,  212 

Art.  22.     Plan  as  to  East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

Art.  23.     Returns  from  West  Indies;   John  Walraven  from 

New  Netherland. 


Table  of  Contents.  xiii 

1646.  PAGE. 

Sept.    21     Rev.   Everardus    Bogardus   to   deliver    a   certain    bill   of    ex- 
change        212-214 

June  4-Oct.  18     Father   Jogues  —  His   death 214,  215 

1647. 
May        9     Deacons  of  Rensselaerwyck  lend  money  to  the  Patroon 215 

1646. 

Extracts  from  a  journal  of  New  Netherland,   1641-1646,  cov- 
ering the  last  six  years  of  the  ministry  of  Bogardus 216 

ADMINISTRATION  OF  PETER  STUYVESANT. 

May  11,  1647-1664,  Sept.  5. 
1647. 

July     22     Resignation  and  death  of  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus 216-218 

Notes  by  Valentine  and  O'Callaghan  —  Annetje  Jans. 

Aug.     12  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Hoorn 218,  219 

Art.  17.     East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

Art.  39.     West  Indies  —  Extracts  from  a  letter  from  Brazil 

of  June  10,  1646. 
Art.  41.     Rev.  William  Grasmeer. 

Sept.    16     Points  for  Remonstrances    (or  Memorial) 21^224 

I  To  the  East  India  Company. 
II  To  the  West  India  Company. 
22     Extract    relating    to    Religion    from    Stuyvesant's    Charter  — 

Church  and  School   224 

Oct.      28     Memorial  to  the  XIX  —  Henry  Dries 225 

Nov.     26     Letter  to  the  East  and  West  Indies 225 

1648. 

Jan.      27     Megapolensis  asks  his  dismission  from  Rensselaerwyck 225 

Rev.  John  Backerus  —  Megapolensis. 
Feb.        1     Flushing,  L.  I.,  petitions  the  Director  for  a  minister  —  Order 

thereon   226 

10     Letter  from  Megapolensis,  read -^ Referred  to  the  Deputies.  .  .   227 

24     Conference  with  the  widow  Rentselaer 227 

April      7     Rev.  John  Megapolensis  —  Letter  to  Megapolensis 228 

7  Directors'  letter  to  Stuyvesant  —  Death  of  Bogardus 228,  229 

8  Letter  to  Megapolensis  in  full 230,  231 

June     29     Letter  from  John  Backerus,  read 232 

Aug.     11  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Enekhuysen 232 

Art.  19.    East  and  West  Indies. 
Aug.  15  and  Sept.  2      Letter  of  Rev.  John  Backerus  to  the  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam    233-237 

Aug.  15-25      Letter  of  Rev.  John  Megapolensis  to  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam    237-239 

Sept.    14     Letter  from  Rev.  John  Bacherus,  read  —  Letter  from  Rev.  John 

Megapolensis.  read  239 

28     Memorial  to  the  XIX  —  Letter  to  the  Brethren  of  Zeeland.   240-242 


xiv  Table  of  Contents. 

1648.  PAGE. 

Oct.        5     Classis  of  Amsterdam  —  Letter  of  Backerus  and  Megapolensis 

read   242 

2C     Pieter  Vander  Linden,  precentor  —  Matters  on  which  to  me- 
morialize the  XIX 242-244 

Letter  of  Megapolensis  of  Aug.  15,  read. 
Letter  of  Backerus  read. 

Nov.       2     Directors   to   Peter   Stuyvesant  —  Backerus  —  Megapolensis  — 

West  India  Company,  godfather  of  children 244-245 

30     Action  of  the  XIX  on  ecclesiastical  matters  —  Action  of  the 

Deputies  —  Pastors  to  be  sought  for  New  Netherland 245 

Dec.  7  Letter  from  Megapolensis  read  —  The  widow  Bogardus  —  Let- 
ter from  Backerus  read  —  Pastors  needed  in  the  colonies. .  . .   246 

28  Letter  from  Backerus,  read,  of  Sept.  22  —  Letter  from  Consis- 

tory of  New  Amsterdam   247 

1649. 
Jan.      14  Lease  from  Van  Rensselaer  requires  religious  services  at  Cats- 
kill    248 

25  Pastor  to  be  sought  for  New  Netherland 248 

March  15  Kev.  Wm.  Grasmeer  seeks  a  release  for  Rev.  Megapolensis ....  248 

29  Megapolensis  seeks  dismission  from  Rensselaerswyck 249 

April    13     Letters  from  New  Netherland  to  be  answered 249 

26  Letter  of  Classis  to  Rev.  John  Backerus  —  Letter  of  Classis  to 

Rev.  John  Megapolensis 250-252 

May       8     The  Director  forbids  Rev.  Backerus  to  read  political  writings 

in  the  church  —  O'Callaghan's  remark  thereon 252 

June    28     Gideon  Schaets 253 

July  6  The  Council  of  New  Amsterdam  permit  Rev.  Backerus  to  re- 
sign; request  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  on  his  way  to  Holland, 
to  remain,  Aug.  2  —  The  departure  of  Backerus  and  settle- 
ment of  Megapolensis    253,  254 

28  Remonstrance  of  the  people  of  New  Netherland  to  the  States- 
General  —  Abstract  and  Extracts  concerning  social  and  re- 
ligious affairs,  chiefly  during  the  ministries  of  Bogardus  and 
Backerus,  1643-9  —  Discovery  and  location  of  the  country  — 
Religious  ideas  of  the  Indians  —  Settlements  by  the  Dutch; 
and  English  encroachments  —  Vast  capabilities  of  New 
Netherland  —  Causes  of  its  decline  —  Bad  government;  High 
prices  —  Arbitrary  power  —  Account  of  building  the  church 
in  the  Fort  by  Kieft  in  1642  —  Church  revenues  —  School  — 
Alms  money  —  Asylum  —  Kieft  did  nothing  for  the  people 
except  the  building  of  the  church  —  Bad  treatment  of  Negro 
slaves —  StuyA^esant  thus  far  had  done  little  except  repairing 
the  church  —  Kieft's  arbitrarv  dealings  with  Rev.  Francis 
Doughty  —  Stuyv^esant's  administration  —  Van  Dincklagen, 
the  Vice-Governor,  afraid  to  speak  —  Stuwesant  keeps  able 
men  out  of  the  Council  —  His  airs  —  Stuyvesant's  treatment 
of  Doughtv —  Conditions  for  success  on  New  Netherland,  254-260 


'O* 


Table  of  Contents.  xv 

1649.  PAGE. 

Aug.       9  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Edam. 

Art.  15.     Plan  for  East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

Art.  28.     East  and   West  India  Affairs. 

Art.  30.     Rev.  John  Backerus. 

Art.  31.     Rev.  Johannes  Megapolensis. 

Art.  32.     Extract  from  Synod  of  Utrecht. 

Art.  36.     Ecclesiastical  changes    260,  261 

Aug.  Letter    from    Peter    Stuyvesant,    as    elder    to    the    Classis  — 

Revs.  Backerus  and  Megapolensis  —  Schoolmasters  ....   261-263 

Oct.      25     Letter  read  from  Rev.  John  Megapolensis 261 

Nov.       1      Rev.  John  Backerus  in  Holland 263 

9.     Brazil    264 

Dec.      27      Letters  from  Megapolensis,  read 264 

1650. 

Jan.      10    Letter  of  Classis  to  Rev.  John  Megapolensis 264 

27  Digest  of  Remonstrance  of  July  28,  1649,  of  Excesses  and 
Neglect  which  New  Netherland  has  experienced  —  Of  the 
Church  —  Extracts  from  Report,  and  Replies,  especially  re- 
lating to  the  Church 266-268 

31     Answer  of  West  India  Company 267 

Wm.  Vestens,  recommended  as  schoolmaster,  etc  —  Rev.  John 

Megapolensis  —  Rensselaerswyck    269 

Feb.      16      The    Directors    to    Stuyvesant  —  Rev.   John  Megapolensis  — 

Schoolmaster  —  Rev.  John  Backerus  —  The  Remonstrance . .   269 
March   4      Information  for  settlers  in  New  Netherland  —  A  clergyman, 
etc.,  needed  —  Report  of  Committee  of  States-General  on  New 
Netherland  —  Three  clergymen  must  be  sent  to  New  Nether- 
land —  Remark  of  the  Company  thereon 270 

7     Classis  of  Amsterdam 270 

Rev.  Caspar  Carpentier 270 

Rev.    Megapolensis  —  Wm.    Vestensz  —  Rensselaerswyck 271 

April      4     Rev.  John  Backerus  —  Rev.  Wm,  Grasmeer 271 

Letter   of   Classis    to    Consistory   at   Manhattan   about    Rev. 

Grasmeer    272,  273 

11     Further  action  of  the  Deputies  on  the  Grasmeer  case. . . .   273,  274 

16     Action  of  Classis  of  Alckmaar  on  Rev.  Wm.  Grasmeer 274 

His  answer. 

19  Rev.  Caspar  de  Carpentier,  and  note 275 

20  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Result  of  the  Remonstrance  —  Rev. 

Megapolensis  —  His  Tract  on  Confession 275 

May      24     Freedoms   and  Exemptions  granted  by  the   Company;    as   to 

religion    276 

Aug.       4     Court  at  Rensselaerswyck  on  Rev,  William  Grasmeer. ,  , .   276,  277 

6  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Alckmaer 277,  278 

Art.     1.     Rev.  John  Backerus. 
Art.  18.     Plan  for  East  and  West  Indies, 
Art.  30.     East    and    West    Indies  — Ministerial    changres  — 
Megapolensis  —  Vestersse. 


'B' 


xvi  Table  of  Contents. 

1650.  PAGE. 

July  4  and  Aug.  29  Stuyvesant's  Refusal  to  reform  the  Government — • 
Extract  from  Journal  of  the  select  men  concerning  Stuy- 
vesant's action  in  reference  to  their  pew  in  the  Church 273 

Aug.       8     Request  of  Rev.  John  Backerus 270 

Sept.      9     Andries  Jansy  appointed  schoolmaster  at  Fort  Orange 279 

12     Letter  of  John  Walraven,  schoolmaster,  from  New  Amsterdam 

—  Rev,  Backerus    280 

Nov.     28     Form  of  Acceptance  and  Instruction  for  Comforters  of  the  Sick 

and  Readers  on  ships  of  war 281 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer  about  Rev.  Wm.  Grasmeer ....   283 
29     Extracts    relating   to   the   Church   from    Secretary   Van   Tien- 
hoven's   answer   to   Remonstrance   of   July   28,    1649  —  Rev. 
Francis  Douditv  —  Note  on  Dough tv 284-286 

1651. 

Jan.        2     Rev.  William  Grasmeer 286 

20     Rev.    William   Grasmeer  —  Catechism   of   Rev.    John   Megapo- 

lensis,   Jr 287 

Feb.      20     Letter  of  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Rev.  William  Grasmeer ....    288 
Letter  of  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Church  of  Rensselaers- 

wyck    289-293 

Letter  of  Classis  to  the  Church  at  Manhattan 293-295 

March  21  The  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Book  of  Megapolensis  on  "  Con- 
fession,  etc." 296 

Aug.       7     Rev.  William  Grasmeer  —  Rensselaer s-WA^ck    296 

15  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Haarlem 296,  297 

Art.  22.     East  and  West  India  Affairs. 
Art,  27.     The  case  of  Grasmeer. 
Aug  28-Nov.  13     Seven  items  on  Rev.  John  Backerus 297-300 

1652. 

Feb.      12     Church    Property  —  Megapolensis 300 

RensselaersA\yck   300 

Rev.  Wm.  Grasmeer  —  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius 301,  302 

14  Affidavit  of  Rev.  Wm.  Grasmeer 303 

26  and  March  11,  18     Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  —  New  Amsterdam,  303,  304 

March  18     Rev.   Samuel   Drisius  —  New  Amsterdam  —  Rev.   John  Olx  — 

RensselaersAvyck  —  Rev.  John  Episcopius 304,  305 

April      2     Letter  from  William  Vestens  of  New  Amsterdam  to  the  Classis 

—  Rev.    John    Episcopius  —  Rensselaerswyck 306 

4     The  Director  to  Stuwesant  —  New  Amsterdam  —  Schoolmaster 

—  English      preacher  —  Revs.      Drisius      and      Grasmeer  — 
Note  on  Jan  de  la  Montague  —  O'Callaghan's  remarks,  307,  308 

15  Rev.   John  Episcopius  —  Rensselaerswyck  —  Gideon   Schaats..   308 
May        6     Rev.  Gideon  Schaats  —  Rensselaerswyck 309 

8     Contract  with  Rev.   Gideon  Schaats  —  The  Patroon's  instruc- 
tions concerning  religion   309,  310 

29     The  mirage  seen  during  the  negotiations  between  the  Republics 

of  England  and  Holland 311 


Table  of  Contents.  xvii 

1652.  PAGE. 

Aug.    12  et  seq.     Synod   of   North   Holland   at   Amsterdam 311-313 

Art.  29.     Ministerial  changes  —  Rev.  John  Backerus  —  Kev. 

Samuel  Drisius  —  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats. 
Arts.  34,  39,  40.     Rev.  William  Grasmeer. 
Founding  of  Newtown  and  Flatbush 314 

1653. 

Feb.        6     Prayer  at  beginning  of  Court,  at  New  Ainsterdam 314 

Aug.-Oct.     Father  Poncet's  capture  and  deliverance 315,  316 

Oct.        6     Letter    from    Revs.    Megapolensis    and    Drisius    to    Classis    of 

Amsterdam  —  Lutheran  request   317 

Dec.  Deduction  of  Director  and  Council  regarding  Remonstrance  of 
Dec.  11,  1653  —  English  elections,  without  reference  to  re- 
ligion —  Note  on  Government  of  New  Netherland 318 

16  Commission   of   Rev.    Samuel    Drisius   as   diplomatic   agent   to 

Virginia    319 

1654. 
Jan.        1     Request  to  the  XIX  to  prevent  Lutheran  preaching  and  as- 
semblies in  New  Netherland   320 

Feb.  5-Aug.  16     Father  Le  Moyne  discovers  the  Salt  Springs 321 

23  Request    of    Jan.    1.    granted  —  Directors    willing    to    send    a 

minister  to  Long  Island   322 

26     Letter     of     Classis     to     Revs.     Megapolensis     and     Drisius  — 

Lutherans     322,  323 

March    2     A  minister  to  be  sought  for  New  Netherland 324 

12     The  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Lutherans  —  Long  Island 324 

May      11     William  Vestensz    325 

June       1     Salaries  of  ministers 325 

8     Director-General  to  Burgomaster,  to  pay  ministers'  salaries  — 

Remark  of  O'Callaghan    325 

July  15  Letter  of  Revs.  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  to  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam —  Lutherans  —  Indians    326,  327 

17  Proclamation  of  the  Peace  between  the  Republics  of  England 

and  Holland    327 

Aug.     24     Mrs.  Catherine  Polhem.us,  wife  of  Th.  J.  Polhemus 328 

24  Support  of  the  Church  in  Nev»^  Amsterdam 328 

31     Burgomasters  to  the  Director  —  Minister's  salaries    329 

Sept.    16     Answer  of  Director  concerning  the  payment  of  ministers.  .    329,  330 

Oct.  13  Petition  from  Midwout  and  Amesfoort  —  Domine  Polhemius 
teaching  —  Note  on  Church  of  Midwout  and  Domine 
Polhemus    330 

Nov.     1 1     Letter  of  the  Classis  to  the  ministers  in  New  Netherland  — 

William    Vestensz    331 

Dec.      17     A  church  and  parsonage  to  be  built  at  Midwout 332 

1655. 
Jan.        4     Hermanns  Blom  —  Action  of  Classis  on  the  call  of  Rev.  Pol- 
hemus to  Long  Island    332 

26     Schoolmaster,  Wm.  Vestiensz,  petition  to  return  to  Holland.  .   333 

11 


xviii  Table  of  Contents. 

1655.  PAGE. 

Feb.        9     Domine  Polhemus  asks  for  aid  for  himself,  and  for  building 

a  church  at  Midwout b33 

March    2     Report    of    Domine   Megapolensis    on    building    a    church    at 

Midwout   333 

8     Action  of  the  Deputies  on  Polhemus'  call  —  William  Vestensz,  334 
18     Letter  of  Rev.  Megapolensis  to  the  Classis  —  Polhemus  —  Long 

Island  —  William  Vestiens  —  Jews  —  Various  sects....  334-336 

22  Rev.  Polhemus    336 

23  Harmanus  Van  Hoboocken  —  William  Vestiens 336 

23  Affairs  of  Polhemus 337 

April      5     Rev.    Polhemius    337,  338 

26     The  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Jews  —  Polhemus 338 

June     14     William  Vestiens  338 

15     Petition  for  assistance  to  Midwout  and  Amesfoort  to  support 

Domine  Polhemus 339 

Aug.     17  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Edam 339 

Art.  42.     Rev.  Polhemus  and  his  wife. 

28     Jews  to  be  exempt  from  military  service 340 

Sept.    26     Expulsion  of  Swedish  Ministers  from  Delaware 340 

Father  Le  Moyne  at  Beverwyck  340 

Oct.      1 1     Voluntary  subscription  for  defence  of  New  Amsterdam  —  Sub- 
scriptions of  the  ministers   341 

1656. 

Religious  Condition  of  New  Netherland 341,  342 

Jan.      15     Petition    of    the    Clergy    against    allowing    conventicles    and 

preaching  by  unqualified  persons  —  Rev.  Moore 342 

24  New  Graveyard  —  Board  of  Churchmasters 343 

Feb.        1     Action  of  Director  and  Council  on  conventicles 343,  344 

18     New  Church  at  Fort  Orange  . .  . 344 

15     Petition  from  Midwout  and  Amesfoort  to  take  up  a  collection 

for  the  support  of  their  minister 345 

21     Herman  van  Hoboocken,  schoolmaster   345 

25  Petition  from  BrookhTi  that  the  minister,   Polhemus,  preach 

alternately  there    345,  346 

28     Churchmasters    346 

March  28     Petition  from  Midwout  for  assistance  to  pay  their  minister ....   346 

April      4     Sale  of  the  old  wooden  church  in  New  Amsterdam 347 

18     Catechism  of  Rev.  Megapolensis  347 

May        1     Action  of  Classis  on  said  Catechism 347 

12,  26  Letter  of  Classis  to  Rev.  Consistory  of  New  Netherland, 
dated  May  26  —  Lutherans  —  Mennonites  —  Independents  — 
Jews  —  Catechism  of  Megapolensis  not  allowed  —  Polhemus 

—  Long  Island  — South  River  —  William  Vestens    348-351 

June     13     Megapolensis  —  Polhemus  —  Letter  of  May  26,  to  New  Nether- 
land,  read   in   Classis    351,  352 

14     Action    of    West    India    Company    on    Stuyv-esant's    placard 

against  the  Jews  and  Lutherans  —  Mrs.  Polhemus 352 

20     Remonstrance  of  Patroon  Van  Rensselaer  against  Stuyvesant's 

tithes 353 


Table  of  Contents.  xix 

1656.  PAGE. 

June    27     Action  thereon  by  the  Council 353 

30    Order  in  favor  of  the  Waldenses  —  Note 35i 

July     10  The  Deputies  will  report  action  of  Company  on  the  Lutherans 

to  Classis 354 

Aug.      7     Action  of  Classis  thereon   354 

8  Lutheran  worship  in  New  Netherland 355 

15     The  old  Church  lot  355 

15  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Alckmaer 355 

Art.  32.     Names  of  Ministers  in  New  Netherland. 
12-16     Conditions  offered  by  the  City  of  Amsterdam  to  settlers  on 
South  River  —  As  to  schools  and  religion  —  Action  of  States- 
General  on  same    356 

Oct.       3     New  Netherland  —  Action  of  Classis  on  the  freedom  of  con- 
science about  to  be  allowed  —  Lutherans  357 

4,  5  Resolutions  of  States-General  and  the  Company,  on  van  der  Ca- 

pelle's  petition    357,  358 

9  Repairs  of  the  Church '. 358 

24  Petition  of  the  Lutherans  to  Governor  and  Council  to  be  al- 

lowed Public   Worship ;    with  answer    358-360 

Nov.       7     Lutherans  in  New  Netherland 360 

7     Petition  of  Hermanns  Van  Hoboocken  for  a  school-room;  with 

answer  —  Note  on  Hoboken   360,  361 

8,  11     Sentence  on  Hallett  and  Wickendam  for  allowing  Baptist  con- 
venticles at  Flushing 361,  362 

Dec.      14     Letter  from  Domine  Polhemus  to  Stuyvesant 362 

19  The  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  on  Jesuits  among  the  Senecas  — 
Bells  for  churches  at  Rensselaerswyck,  Hempstead  and  Mid- 
wout    363 

21  Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistrates   of  Midwout  about  minister's 

house  —  Petition   of  Domine   Polhemus   for   an   advance   of 

salarv 363,  364 

29     Inhabitants  of  Oostdorp  refuse  to  receive  a  Civil  Commission 

on  Sunday  —  Their  mode  of  worship 364,  365 

1657. 
Jan.        1     Oostdorp   (East-town)   accept  of  Government  of  New  Nether- 
land    365 

13     Petition  from  Midwout  to  be  allowed  to  make  an  assessment 

to  pay  minister's  salary  365 

13     Petition  from  Amesfoort  askinsr  for  confirmation  of  assessment 

to  pay  minister's  salary 366,  367 

16  Petition    from    Brooklyn    against    assessment    for    minister's 

salary  and  appointment  of  Domine  Polhemus 367,  368 

Letter  of  Magistrates  of  Brooklyn  to  the  Director  about  the 
order  to  assess  to  pay  minister's  salary 368,  369 

22  Petition  from  Newtown  about  their  parsonage 369 

25  Answer  to  foregoing 369 

Feb.  7, 13     Tax  in  Brooklyn  for  Minister's  salary 370 

12     Rev.  Jacob  P.  Gouwester,  offers  to  go  to  New  Netherland 370 


XX  Table  of  Contents. 

1657.  PAGE. 

Feb.      15     Letter  of  Classis  to  Church  of  New  Amsterdam,    (of  Dec.  15, 

1656 )  Lost  370 

March  8,  9  Election  of  a  Churchmaster,  New  Amsterdam,  and  their  ac- 
counts       370 

9     Regulations  adopted  by  City  of  Amsterdam  respecting  a  min- 
ister for  New  Amstel   ( Delaware ) 371 

19     New    Colony    in    New    Nether  land  —  The    Lutherans    in    New 

Netherland    371,  372 

April      7     Directors  to  Stuy^-esant  —  Bells  for  churches  —  Lutherans . .  .   372 
9     Oath  of  Burghers    373 

10  Rev.  Everardus  Welius  —  Lutherans  and  Sects  in  New  Nether- 

land     373-374 

11  Petition  of  Jews  denied   375 

13  Vice-Director  Aldrich  to  the  Commissioners  of  Colony  of  New 

Amstel   375 

23     Rev.  Mr.  Welius  —  Lutherans  376 

May        7     Rev.  Mr.  Welius   ° 376 

Rev.  Hermanus  Blom  declines  to  act  as  chaplain  for  the  Dutch 

Navy    376 

Lutherans  and  sects  in  New  Netherland  and  the  Colony  —  Rev. 

Gutwasser   377 

Letter  of  Classis  to  the  Consistory  of  New  Amsterdam  —  South 
River  —  Evart  Pietersen  —  Rev.  Mr.  Welius  —  The  sects  — 

Lutherans  —  Gutwasser  378-381 

Vice-Director  Aldrichs  to  the  Burgomasters  of  Amsterdam,  381,  382 
25     Vice-Director  Aldrichs  to  the  Commissioners  of  the  Colony  on 

the  Delaware   382 

June       5     Lutherans  and  New  Netherland  382 

27     Rev.  Gideon  Schaats  to  Rev.  Domine  Laurentius,  on  state  of  the 

Church,  especially  at  Fort  Orange 382-386 

July       6     Petition  of  Revs.  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  to  the  authorities 

of  New  Amsterdam  against  tolerating  the  Lutherans.  .  . .   386-388 

14  Report  of  authorities  on  said  Petition  388-390 

17     Gov.  Stuyvesant  to  Magistrates  of  Hempstead,  L.  I.,  and  an- 
swer July,  25    391 

29     Gov.  Stuyvesant  to  Magistrates  of  Hempstead 391 

31     Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam 392 

Aug.  5,  14  Revs.  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam  — 
Lutherans ;  Rev.  Goetwater  —  Petition  against  him  — 
Schaats  and  Rensselaerswyck  —  South  River  —  Fort  Chris- 
tina —  Lutheran  services  on  South  River  —  Rev.  Casparus 
Carpentier  —  Dutch  Villages  on  Long  Island  —  Rev.  Pol- 
hemus —  Ensflish  Villagres  on  Lono-  Island  —  Mennonites  — 

•-  ~  r^ 

Independents  —  Presbyterians  —  Rev.    Denton  —  Oostdorp  — 
Kingston  —  Schools  —  Indian  converts  —  P.  S.  Quakers..   393-400 
10     Everet  Pietersen,  schoolmaster  at  South  River 401 

12  Evert  Pietersen  to  Domine  Ruileus  —  Need  of  books 401-403 

13  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Harlem. 

Art.     2.     Register. 


Table  of  Contents.  xxi 

1657.  PAGE. 

Aug.     13         Art.  35.     Extracts     concerning     the     colonial     churches  — 

Lutherans  —  Eev.       Everadus      Welius  —  Aert 

Pietersen  —  John  Walraven   403,  404 

28     Father  Simon  Le  Moyne  —  Notes  404 

Sept.      3     Henry  Selyns  asks  to  be  examined  for  licensure 405 

Oct.        2     Examination  and  licensure  of  Henry  Selyns   405 

10     Petition  of  the  Lutherans  to  the  Governor  and  Council  against 

the  banishment  of  Rev.  Gutwasser  —  Answer 405^07 

15     Petition  of  Eev.  J.  E.  Gutwasser,  asking  why  he  is  to  be  ban- 
ished —  Answer    407-409 

22,  25  Revs.  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  — 
Lutherans  —  Quakers  —  Sectaries  —  Need  of  English  minis- 
ters —  Rev.  Doughty  —  Rev.  Moore  —  Rev.  Denton 409-412 

1658. 
Jan.        1   and  3     Remonstrance  of  the  inhabitants  of  Flushing  against 

anti-Quaker    laws     412-414 

21  Proclamation  of  a  Day  of  Prayer  for  March  13 414-415 

28  Sentence  on  Tobias  Feaks,  schout  of  Flushing,  for  protecting 

Quakers    415 

29  Petition  of  Magistrates  of  Midwout  as  to  the  disposition  of 

certain   church-lands  —  Answer  —  Petition    of   Domine   Pol- 
hemus  concerning  his   salary 415-417 

Feb.      11     Letter  from  Domine  Schaats  read  by  the  Deputies 417 

26     Election  of  Churchmaster  and  Orphanmaster 417 

March    5     Jacob  Van  Corlaer  not  allowed  to  teach  school 418 

19  Jacobus  Van  Corlaer  forbidden  to  teach  school  in  New  Amster- 

dam       419 

26     Van    Corlaer    again    forbidden    to    teach    school  —  Minister's 

salary  in  Brooklyn    419 

30  Rev.  Welius  preaches  on  a  Fast-day 419 

April  Form  of  Oath  taken  by  Swedes  on  South  River 420 

2     Sentence  on  those  who  refused  to  pay  minister's  salary 420 

Letter  from  New  Netherland  received  by  the  Deputies 420 

7     Letter  from  Father  Simon  Le  Moyne,  S.  J.,  to  Director  Stuyve- 

sant;  with  enclosure  from  Governor  of  Canada 421,  422 

]  5     The  Deputies  read  letters  from  New  Netherland 422 

May        6     Letters   from  New   Netherland   shown   to   Directors   of   West 

India  Company  —  New  Amstel   422,  423 

20  The    Directors    to    Stuyvesant  —  Lutherans  —  Latin  School  • — 

Domine  Schaats 423,  424 

June       4     Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam 424 

7     Further  orders  of  the  Directors  about  the  Baptismal  Formula .  .   425 

22  Rev.  John  Carpentier    425 

Aug.       5     Extract  from  the  Letters  from  New  Netherland 425 

12  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Amsterdam 425-427 

Art.  36.     Extract  of  letters  about  churches  in  foreign  lands : 
From  a  letter  of  Aug.  5,  1657,  from  New  Netherland. 
From  a  letter  of  Aug.  12,  1656,  from  New  Netherland. 
From  a  letter  of  Oct.  22,  1657,  from  Manhattan. 


xxii  '  Table  of  Contents. 

1658.  PAGE. 

Aug.     13     Petition  of  Jan  Lubbert's  to  teach  school  —  Granted 427 

19  The  Director  General  and  Council  ask  the  opinion  of  the 
ministers  of  New  Netherlands  on  the  action  of  the  Company, 
on  May  20,  1658,  concerning  Form  of  Baptism 427 

23  Answer  of  the  ministers  of  said  request,  concerning  Form  of 

Baptism    428-431 

Sept.    19     Request  for  a  Latin  school 431 

24  Revs.  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  — 

Need  of  ministers  for  the  English  towns  on  Long  Island  — 
Quakers  —  Lutherans  —  Dutch  ministers  needed  —  Father 
Le  Moyne    432-434 

25  Rev.     John     Megapolensis    to    the    Classis;     about    his    son 

Samuel    434-436 

28  Revs.  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  to  the  Classis;  about  the 
Jesuits    on   the   Mohawk  —  Father    Jogues  —  Father    Bres- 

sani  —  Father  Le  Movne   436-439 

Oct.        7     Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  439 

1659. 

Jan.      13     Deputies  read  letters  from  New  Netherland   439,  440 

Feb.        3     Letters  from  New  Amsterdam  read  before  the  Classis 440 

13    Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Lutherans  —  Polhemus 441 

24  New  Netherland  —  Form  of  Baptism 441 

April    10     Alexander  Carolus  Curtius,  Latin  schoolmaster   442 

25  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Rensselaerwyck  —  Latin  school,  442,  443 
July      4     Salary  of  Curtius,  Latin  teacher   443 

23     Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  —  The  tithes  —  Rensselaerswyck  — 

Curtius,  the  Latin  teacher  —  Polhemus   443,  444 

Aug.       5  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Hoorn 444 

Art.  25.     Extracts   of   letters   on   the   state   of   the   foreign 
churches  —  From   a   letter   from   New   Nether- 
land of  Sept.  24,'  1658. 
11     Stuyvesant  to  Sergeant  Laurensen  at  Esopus,  recommending 

Rev.  Hermanns  Blom  to  the  people  there 445 

Stuyvesant  to   Sergeant   Laurensen   at   Esopus,    per   Megapo- 
lensis       446 

16  Church  of  New  Amstle  446 

17  Inhabitants  of  Esopus  petition  that  Rev.  Blom  may  be  their 

minister 446 

22     Commissioners  of  the  Colony  on  the  Delaware  to  Vice-Director 

Aldrichs,  as  to  the  church  there  —  The  Swedish  parson 447 

Aug.-Sept.  Proceedings  of  the  XIX  concerning  New  Netherland  —  Report 
on  the  Committee  of  Classis  to  them,  about  sects;  necessity 
of  English  preachers ;   salary  of  Polhemus  —  Action  of  the 

Company    447,  448 

Sept.    10     Revs.  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  to   Classis  of  Amsterdam  — 

The  Lutherans  —  Hermanns  Blom    449,  450 

17     Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  —  Rev.  Blom 450,  451 

Latin  school  —  Rector's  salary  —  Medicinal  seeds 451 


'  Table  of  Contents.  ■  xxiii 

1059.  PAGE. 

Sept.    30     Day  of  Fasting  and  Prayer  appointed  for  Oct.  15 451-453 

Dutch  Embassy  to  Maryland  —  Rev.  Doughty 453 

Nov.       3     Lutheran  Church  in  New  Netherland  —  Hermanus  Blom  chosen 

for  New  Netherland 454,  455- 

14     Election  of  a  Churchmaster  455 

17     Hermanus  Blom  to  be  examined 455 

Rev.  Everardus  Welius   456 

His  death   456 

Dec.       9     Sheriff  van  Schweringen  to  Commissioners  of  Colony  on  Dela- 
ware River   457 

12  Church  of  New  Amstel  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam * 456 

Vice-Director  Aldrichs  to  the  Commissioners  of  the  Colony  — 

Death  of  Welius  457 

9     Skipper  Huys  to  the  Commissioners  of  Colony  on  Delaware 

River    458 

13  Beekman  to  Stuyvesant  458,  459 

22     Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Blom  —  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  — 

Intending    to    send    over    more    liberal-minded    preachers  ■ — 

Blom 459-461 

20     Petition  of  Church  of  Midwout  for  material  to  paint  their 

church   • 461 

1660. 

Call  of  a  minister  to  New  Netherland  —  Selyns  and  Blom 462 

Petition  of  Herman  van  Hoboocken  —  Schools 463 

Petition  of  certain  Englishmen  to  settle  at  Jamaica....   463,  464 
Revs.  Blom  and  Selyns  examined  and  ordained  for  New  Nether- 
land—  Certificate  of  ordination  of  Rev.  Hermanus  Blom  — 

Call  of  Rev.  Selyns  to  Brooklyn   464-468 

Appointment  of  a  day  of  Easting  and  Prayer 468,  469 

Letter  of  Classis  to  the  Consistories  in  New  Netherland,  per 

Blom  and  Selyns    469-472 

Ecclesiastical  Testimonial  to  Selyns 472 

Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Blom  and  Selyns 473 

Death  of  Rev.  Welius  —  Another  minister  to  be  sent  in  his 

place 475 

Petition  of  Gravesend  for  a  minister;  and  answer  thereto.   473,  474 

Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Blom  and  Selyns  —  Curtius 474 

Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  —  Blom  —  The  preachers  —  Form 

of  Baptism   475 

The  Deputati  to  seek  for  another  minister  for  New  Netherland .   475 

Building  the  Church  of  Midwout  — Not  paid  for 475,  476 

New  Netherland  —  Form  of  Baptism 476 

Church  matters  in  Brooklyn  —  Salary  of  Selyns  —  Selyns  to 

preach  at  Stuyvesant's  bouwerie 477 

Form  of  Baptism    477 

Salary  of  Curtius,  Latin  teacher 478 

et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Enckhuysen 478 

Art.  29.     Extracts  from  a  letter  from  New  Amsterdam,  of 
Sept.  10,  1659. 


Jan. 

5 

16 

Feb. 

4 

16 

23 

March    1 

11 

29 

April 

5 

12 

16 

21 

May 

4 

11 

June 

1 

July 

5 

6 

Aug. 

9 

10 

xxiv  Table  of  Contents. 

1660.  PAGE. 

Sept.      2     Petition   of   Revs.    Blom   and   Selyns   for   board   during   their 

detention    479 

3  Formal  introduction  of  Domine  Selyns  to  church  of  Brooklyn 

by  Nicasius  de  Sille 479,  480 

7     The      Consistory     of      Brooklyn      to      Domine      Polhemus  — 

Lutherans   481,  482 

22  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam 482,  483 

Sept.    29     Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam 484 

30     Church  of  Midwout;  costs;  help  given 484,  485 

Oct.        4     Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam  —  Form  of  Bap- 
tism    485^87 

4  Rev.  Henry  Selyns  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam  —  Account  of  the 

beginning  of  his  labors 487-491 

Note  on  Stuyvesanfs  Bouwery. 

5  Form  of  Baptism  492 

6  StuvA'esant  to  the  Directors  —  English  villages  on  Long  Island 

without  preachers  —  Four  other  villages  in  need  of  preach- 
ers —  Blom  and  Selyns    492 

25     Michael   Siperius    (Zyperius) 492-494 

Dec.        1     Instructions  of  Charles  I  to  the  English  Committee  on  Planta- 
tions —  As  to  Religion 494 

24  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Ministers  for  the  English  villages  on 
Long  Island  —  Map  of  Amsterdam  —  Church  Bell  for  Brook- 
lyn      494 

—     Evert  Pietersen 495 

Parsonage  at  Wiltwyck   (Esopus) 495 

24     Payments  to  Rev.  E.  Welius 496 

1661. 

Jan.      26     Payments  to  Rev.  E.  Welius 496 

Jan.-Feb.     Proceedings  against  Quakers  on  Long  Island 496-499 

Feb.      14     Conditions  offered  by  West  India  Company  to  dissenters  in 

England  to  settle  in  America 499,  500 

18     Petition  from  Newtown  to  use  the  Minister's  house  for  a  school.  500 

501 

Feb.-March.     Rev.  Drisius  sent  to  Hempstead  to  baptize  children 

March  4     Contract  between   inhabitants   of   Esopus   and   Rev.   Hermanns 

Blom   501 

29  Petition  from  Church  of  Midwout  for  assistance  in  paying  for 

building  church 501 

April    11     Religious  and  charitable  goods  exempt  from  certain  fees 502 

Spring         Church  of  New  Amsterdam  to  the  West  India  Company 502 

May  2,  9     Evert  Pietersen  appointed  Schoolmaster 503 

16     Court  of  Justice  at  Wildwyck  —  Religion  of  the  Judges 503 

23  Letters  from  New  Netherland,  read 504 

30  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis  examined  —  Those  baptized  by  Men- 

nonites  need  not  be  re-baptized 503-505 

July       1     Michael  Cornelisz  —  Siperus    505 


Table  of  Contents.  xxv 

1661.  '  PAGE. 

June       7     Form  of  Baptism  in  the  West  Indies 505 

12     Alexander  Carolus  Curtius  offers  to  teach  Latin  on  certain  con- 
ditions    606 

9    Letter  of  Classis  to  Rev.  Van  Beaumont  of  Curacoa,  concerning 
Rev.   Michael   Siperus  —  Baptism   of   Negroes,    Indians   and 

their  children    506-508 

Aug.       8     Judicial  decisions,  in  favor  of  legality  of  Quaker  marriages, 

cited    508-510 

Nov.       8     Proposals  under  which   English  churches  may  be  planted  in 

New  Netherland   510-512 

28     Answer  of  Director  and  Council  to  Proposals  of  Nov.  8  —  Ref- 
.  erences  to  ordinances  on  parsonages,  the  sabbath  and  arrears 
of  ministers'   salaries    511 

18  Ordinance  for  observance  of  the  Sabbath 512 

19  Bricks  purchased  for  Domine  Blom 512 

Dec.        5     Letter  of   Classis   to   Rev.    Samuel   Drisius  —  Re-baptism   not 

required  —  Michael  Siperius    513-515 

15  The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats 515,  516 

1662. 
Jan,      26     Proclamation  of  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving,  etc.,  for  March  15, 

1662 516-518 

Feb.      20     Beekman  to  Stuyvesant  —  Aegidius  Luyck 518 

March  11     Further  answer  of  Director,  etc.,  to  proposals  of  English  to 

settle  in  New  Netherland.     See  Nov.  8  and  28,  1661 518-520 

16  Beekman  to  Stuyvesant  —  Domine  Laers 520 

28     Repairs  of  Church  of  New  Amsterdam 521 

April    —    West  India  Company  sell  their  rights  on  South  River  to  City 

of  Amsterdam  521 

20  New  Amstel,  Del. —  Mennonites 521 

30     Rev.  Laurentius  Carolus  petitions  for  remission  of  a  fine.  .   521,  522 

Harmen  Van  Hoboocken   522 

May      16     Petition  in  reference  to  minister's  salary  at  Hempstead  and 

Answer   523 

30     Further  answer  of  Director,  etc.,  to  Proposals  of  Nov.  8,  1661 .  .    523 

524 
Contract  for  conveyance  of  Mennonites  to  South  River.  .   524,  525 

Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam 525,  526 

Call  of  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis  to  New  Netherland 526 

Complaint  against  Quakers  at  Flushing 526,  527 

Orders  against  them,  Sept.  9. 

Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis   527 

Petition  to  be  allowed  to  collect  funds  for  building  a  church  at 

Amesfoort    527 

Rev.  Samuel  IMegapolensis,  chosen  for  New  Netherland.  .    527,  528 

Rev.  Nicholas  Rensselaer  received  as  a  candidate 528 

Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis,  examined  and  ordained 528 

Bush^wck  school  affairs 529 


June 

9 

Aug. 

8 

21 

24 

Sept. 

4 

12 

25 

Oct. 

2 

2 

Dec. 

28 

XXVI 


Table  of  Contekis. 


1663. 
Jan.  4 
April  4 
16 
May  26 
June      2 

6 


24 

24 

25 

Sept. 

11 

18 

Nov. 

6 

15 

Nov. 

21 

Dee. 

3 

12 

17 


1664. 


Jan. 

16 

20 

Feb. 

24 

March  12 

17 

April 

7 

8 

21 

23 

May 

4 

^ray 

12 

31 

PAGE. 

Church  affairs  in  Midwout 529 

Pastor  for  New  Amstel    529,  530 

Directors   to   Stuyvesant  —  Huguenots;    Quakers    530 

Church  at  Amesfoort  —  Tithes 531 

Request  of  Samuel  Megapolensis  for  increase  of  salary  —  Min- 
isters acting  as  physicians   531 

Beekman  to  Stuyvesant  —  Kev.  Abelius  Zetscoorn 532 

Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam  —  Lost..   532 

Beekman  to  Stuyvesant  —  Rev.  Abelius  Zetscoorn 532 

Order  to  enforce  the  British  Navigation  Act  in  America 632 

Deputies  read  a  letter  from  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis  —  Ac- 
tion thereon   532,  533 

Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam 533 

Condition  of  Church  of  Kingston  —  Indian  Massacre....   534,  535 

Pastor  for  New  Amstel 536 

Beekman  to  Stuyvesant  —  Rev.  Abelius  Zetscoorn 536 

Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistrates  at  Wiltwyck  —  Consistory  must 

not  interfere  with  intestate  estates 536,  537 

Answer  of  Rev.  Blom  to  Stuyvesant  about  church  affairs  at 

Wiltwyck    538 

Magistrates  at  Wiltwyck  to   Stuyvesant  —  Church  Affairs  — 

Court  of  Wiltwyck  to  Stuyvesant  —  Church  Affairs 538,  539 

Magistrates  of  Bergen  concerning  the  schoolmaster 539,  540 

Waldense  and  Huguenots  emigrate  to  South  River,  1656- 
1663  —  Population,  1664    540 

Return  of  Rev.  Henry  Selyns  from  New  Netherland  to  Hol- 
land       540,  541 

Directors  to  Stuyvesant  —  Departure  of  Rev.  Samuel  Megapo- 
lensis     541 

Subscriptions  for  defence    541 

Extract  from  Patent  of  Charles  II.,  to  Duke  of  York,  for  terri- 
tory of  New  Netherland 541 

Ordinance  to  catechize  the  children 542 

Letter  from  Rev.  Polhemus  received  —  Referred  to  the  Depu- 
ties—  Deputati  request  the  Directors  to  send  another  min- 
ister to  Brooklyn    542,  543 

Letter  from  Rev.  Polhemus  read  by  the  Deputies  —  Rev. 
Schaats  —  Rev.  Wernerus  Hadson  sent  to  South  River 543 

Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam  —  Lack  of  united 
effort 543 

Secret  Instructions  to  Col.  R.  Nicolls,  in  reference  to  religion 
in  New  England,  and  in  New  Netherland  —  If  conquered, 
See  Aug.  4,  1664    544,  545 

Letter  of  Rev.  Blom  to  Director  Stuyvesant  as  to  annual 
Thanksgiving  at  Esopus  for  escape  from  Indian  massacre,  545,  546 

Report  of  Deputies  on  affair  of  Schaats  —  Correspondence 
among  the  American  churches  suggested 546,  547 

Proclamation  of  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving 547 


16C4. 

June 

9 

23 

July 

17 

Aug. 

4 

Table  of  Contents.  xxvii 

PAGE. 

Eev.  Henry  Selyns  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam 547-550 

Letter  read  by  the  Deputies  from  Eev.  Polhemus 551 

Petition  of  Rev.  Selyns  to  Director  to  be  released 551 

Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors;  his  fears  of  English  fleet.      (Two 

translations.)     The  French  refugees 551-553 

4    Letter  read  from  Rev.  Selyns  of  June  9;  from  Rev.  Polhemus 

of  April  21   553 

Aug.  5-14    Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam  —  Sorrow  at 
departure  of  Rev.  Selyns  for  Holland  —  Rev.  Samuel  Meg- 
apolensis  to  succeed  him  —  French  on  Staten  Island  sup- 
plied by  Drisius   554,  555 

Sept.      5     Remonstrance  of    the  people    against    resisting  the    English, 

while  without  adequate  resources 555-557 

8    New  Netherland  conquered  by  the  English    (Aug.  29,  O.  S. ; 

Sept.  8,  N.  S.) 557-560 

Abticles  of  Capitulation.  Notes:  On  the  English  Policy 
in  the  Conquest;  on  the  Dutch  Rule  for  the  half  century 
preceding. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  COL.  RICHARD  NICOLLS. 

8  Sept.  1664-1668. 
1664. 
Sept.    15     Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam  on  the  surren- 
der      560-562 

29     Rev.  Henricus  Selyns,  in  Holland,  gives  a  verbal  report  to  the 

Classis  of  Amsterdam    562' 

Oct.      10    Articles  of  Agreement  on  the  surrender  of  Albany 563 

11     Salary  of  Evert  Pietersen,  schoolmaster 563 

14-20     Dutch  refuse  to  take  oath  of  allegiance  to  Great  Britain  until 

assured  that  it  does  not  conflict  with  Articles  of  Surrender . .   563 

564 
21-26    Names  of  the  Dutch  who  swore  allegiance  to  Great  Britain,  564,  56& 
24     West  India  Company  to  the  States  General  on  the  Surrender . .   565 
Oct.  24-Nov.  1     Resolutions  and  action  of  the  States  General  on  the  Sur- 
render        565-567 

Nov.     10    Letter  of  Drisius,  on  Surrender,  read  in  Classis 568 

1665. 
Feb.      10     Concessions  and  Agreements  of  Carteret  and  Berkeley  in  New 

Jersey, —  so  far  as  they  relate  to  Religion 569,  570 

16     Rev.  Matthias  Nevius  in  New  York 570 

28     Gov.  Nicolls  calls  a  General  Meeting  of  Deputies  of  the  towns 
of  Long  Island  at  Hempstead,  L.  I. —  The  Duke's  Laws  there 

adopted: —  So  far  as  they  relate  to  Religion 570-573 

May  2  (0.  S.)    Certificate  as  to  the  loyalty  of  Peter  Stuyvesant,  at  the 

Surrender  —  Note   573,  574 

June     17     Repairs  of  Graveyard 574 


xxviii  Table  of  Contents. 

1665.  PAGE. 

Aug.  1  et  seq.     Syiiod  of  North  Holland  at  Hoorn 574 

Art.  15.     Extract  of  letter  of  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  was  read, 

respecting  the  transfer  of  New  Netherland 574 

Sept.      7     Letter  from  Rev.  Drisius,  read  —  Desires  to  return  to  Holland 

—  To  be  asked  to  remain    574,  575 

19     Salary  of  Evert  Pietersen,  schoolmaster 575 

Oct.      19     Extracts  from  Stuyvesant's  Report  on  the  surrender....   575-577 
Nov.     13     The  City  advances  money  to  repair  Graveyard 577 

1666. 

Feb.      20     Salary  of  Evert  Pietersen,  schoolmaster 577 

April    —     Aegidius  Luyck  testifies  about  Surrender 578 

3,  5     Minister's  support  at  Seatalcott 578 

May        8     Rent  for  schoolhouse  to  be  paid 578 

June     13     Election  of  Churchmasters,  New  York 578 

Aug.       7     Land  at  Domine's  Point 579 

16  Rev.  John  Megapolensis  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam 579 

17  C.  Van  Ruyven  to  Stuyvesant 579 

Sept.      6  Rev.  Henry  Selyns,  called  to  Waverveen,  Holland  —  Rev.  Aegi- 
dius  Luyck    580-582 

Oct.        9  Percentage  to  Collector  of  Salary  for  minister 582 

11  Rev.  Henry  Selyns    582,  583 

13  English  Governor  tolerates  the  Lutherans 583 

18  Letter  from  J.  Megapolensis,  read:  defending  his  advice  to  sur- 

render New  Netherland 583 

25     Rev.  Peter  Tesschenmaker 584 

30     Percentage  to  Collector  of  Salary  for  minister 584 

Dec.      10     Megapolensis's  defence  rejected  by  the  XIX 584 

1666-1667. 

Reply  of  West  India  Company  to  Stuy\''esant's  answer. .  . .   584-586 
1667. 

Feb.        7     Voluntary  subscription  for  support  of  minister 586 

Mav       7     Rev.  Gideon  Schaats  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam 587 

June     18     Arrearages  for  ministers  salaries  to  be  paid 588 

Aug.  8  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Edam 588,  589 

Art.  12.     Indian  Affairs  —  Megapolensis's  defence. 
Art.  53.     Ministerial   changes  —  Rev.    Casparus   de    Carpen- 
tier;   Rev.  Henry  Selyns. 

15  Aegidus  Luyck   589 

16  Rev.  Wm.   (Guilhelmus)  Nieuwenhuysen,  received  as  candidate.  589 

29  Aegidius  Luyck 590 

Oct.  10-20.     Colonel  Nieolls  to  Father  Pierron 590 

19  Election  of  Churchmasters,  New  York 591 

1668. 
Jan.        2     Candidates  for  Indian  churches,  approved  —  Rev.  Wm.  Nieu- 
wenhuysen     591,  592 

11     Abram  De  la  Noy,  schoolmaster ' 593 

30  Rev.  Wm,  Niuwenhuysen 592,  593 


Table  of  Contents.  xxix 

1668.  PAGE. 

Aug.     27     Testimonials  as  to  the  loyalty  of  Domine  Megapolensis  at  the 

surrender  —  Rev.  Hermanus  Blom  593 

28     Rev.  Hermanus  Blom  back  in  Holland    594 

Sept.      3     Rev.  Hermanus  Blom   594 

4     Election  of  Orphanmasters    694 

7     Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis  to  a  friend 594-597 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  GOVERNOR  FRANCIS  LOVELACE. 

Sept.   17,   1668-1637,  Aug.  9. 
1668. 

Sept.    24     Domines  bouwerie  at  Esopus 597 

Oct.        1     Rev.  Hermanus  Blom  —  Letter  received  from  Rev.  Drisius. .  . .   598 

Nov.       5     Rev.  Hermanus  Blom  —  Letter  from  Rev.  Drisius,  read 598 

19     Gov.  Lovelace  to  Rev.  Mr.  James 598-600 

1669. 

Jan.      21     Letter  from  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis,  read 600 

Feb.      16     Evert  Pietersen   600 

March  27     Rev.  Francis  Doughty   600,  601 

April  17-27  Rev.  John  Megapolensis  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam  —  Arrears 
of  salary  —  State  of  the  Church  under  the  English  —  Luth- 
erans      601-603 

July  1  New  Netherland  —  Case  of  discipline  —  Rev.  Samuel  Megapo- 
lensis —  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius 603,  604 

July       3     Salaries  of  Megapolensis  and  Drisius 604 

29     Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  —  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats 605 

Aug.       5     Salary  of  Rev.  Drisius 605 

6  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Haarlem 605,  606 

Art.     8.     Indian  Affairs. 

Extracts  from  letter  of  Rev.  John  Megapolensis. 
Art.  15.     Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis. 
Sept.    15     Gov.  Lovelace  to  the  Magistrates  of  New  Castle  —  Rev.  Fabri- 

tius  606,  607 

1670. 
Jan.      24     Church  of  New  York  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam  —  Death  of  Rev. 
John  Megapolensis  —  Drisius  feeble  —  Desire  for  return  of 

Selyns 607,  608 

25     Election  of  Churchmasters,  New  York 609 

April    13     Gov.  Lovelace  to  Gov.  Carr  of  New  Castle  —  Rev.  Fabritius.  .  .   609 

22     Rent  of  City-school  to  be  paid  609 

June      5     Church  of  New  York  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam  —  Drisius  feeble 

—  The  chorister  conducts  service 610 

28     Gov.  Lovelace  guarantees  a  salary  to  any  Dutch  minister  who 
will  come  to  America  —  Letter  from  Church  of  New  York, 

read  in  Classis 611 

July     28     Letter  from  New  York,  read  in  Classis 612 


XXX  Table  of  Contexts. 

1670.  PAGE. 

Aug.  5  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Amsterdam 612,  6ia 

Art.     7.     Indian  Affairs. 

Abstract  of  letter  of  Church  of  New  York  of  Jan. 
24,  1670. 
Art.  40.     Ministerial  changes. 

Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis. 
Art.  41.     Loss   of   Synodical   Acts,    1618-19  —  Recovered  — 
Translated  into  Dutch. 

Sept.    10     The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Church  of  New  York 613,  614 

Dec.        1     Letters  from  New  York  reported  —  Gov.  Lovelace's  offer 615 

9     Effort  to  find  ministers  to  go  to  New  York 615 

1671. 

Montanus's  Description  of  New  York 615,  616- 

Jan.      19     Order  concerning  Domine  Polhemus 616 

March  16     Letters  from  New  York  —  Rev.   Wm.   Nieuwenhuysen  chosen 

minister  for  New  York  616,  617 

28     Rev.  Aegidius  Luyek  requested  to  assist  Rev.  Drisius 617 

April      6     Rev.  Rudolphus  Varick    617,  618 

May       16     Arrears  of  salary  of  ministers 618 

July     10     Gov.  Lovelace  rebukes  the  minister  at  Southold  for  undue  se- 
verity     618,  61^ 

11     How  salary  for  new  Dutch  minister  is  to  be  raised 619 

14    Ministers'  salaries    619,  620" 

Aug.  4  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at 620 

Art.  12.     Indian  Affairs  —  Letter  from  New  York  of  June  5, 
1670  —  Ministerial    changes  —  Rev.    Wm.    Nieu- 
wenhuysen. 
Aug,     10     Order  for  a  new  assessment  to  pay  for  a  parsonage  in  Brooklyn.  620- 

11     Rev.  Jacob  Fabritius  permitted  to  preach  his  farewell 621 

Dec.        5     Support  of  a  poor  Lutheran 621 

21     Each  church  to  maintain  its  own  poor 621,  622 

1672. 

Jan.        5     Ministers  for  East  Indies  —  Rev.  Rudolphus  Varick 622 

16     Permit  to  raise  moneys  in  Delaware  for  Lutheran  Church  in 

New  York 622 

March    5     Domine  Luyck  paid  for  his  services  623 

21     Governor's  order  to  pay  Mr,  Charlton,  schoolmaster  at  Hemp- 
stead     623 

21     Church  in  the  Fort  to  be  repaired 623 

April      4    Rev,  Nicolas  Van  Rensselaer  received  as  a  candidate  in  Classis 

of  Amsterdam 623,  624 

June?       The  Church  of  New  York  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  —  Rev. 

Van  Nieuwenhuysen    624 

July     13     Contract  for  salary  between  Church  of  New  York  and  Rev. 

Nieuwenhuysen 625,  626 

Sept,    13     Letter  from  New  York  without  date,   read  —  Van  Nieuwen- 
huysen   , . . . .  626 


Table  of  Contents.  xxsi 

1672.  PAGE. 

Dec.       6     Concessions,  as  to  Religion,  made  by  Carteret  and  Berkeley, 

Proprietors  of  East  Jersey 627 

1672? 

Petition  of  Lutherans  for  four  hundred  acres  of  land  on  the 

Delaware 627 

1673. 

Aug.  8  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Edam 628 

Art.  12.     Indian  Affairs  —  Undated  letter  from  New  York 
(of  June,  1672?),  read. 
Aug.      9    Reconquest  of  New  York  by  the  Dutch 628 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  GOV.  ANTHONY  COLVE. 
Aug.  9,  1673  — Nov.  10,  1674. 


1673. 


Nathan  Gould's  Account  of  the  reconquest  of  New  York  by  the 

Dutch 628,  629 

Orders  to  the  several  towns  to  send  delegates  to  swear  allegiance 

to  the  Dutch 629,  630 

Aug.     14     Petitions  from  the  English  towns  on  Long  Island  for  freedom 

of  religion,  etc 630 

15     Dutch  Magistrates  in  New  York  appointed- — only  of  the  Re- 
formed Religion  —  The  Oath  exacted    630 

18     Petitions  from  the  English  in  New  Jersey  for  Freedom  of  Re- 
ligion        631,  632 

24     Form  of  Oath  for  Town  Magistrates 632 

28  Ordinance  for  better  observance  of  the  Sabbath 632,  633 

29  Forms  of  Oath  for  the  Dutch  and  English,  respectively 633 

Sept.      1     Petition  from  Kingston  for  help  to  support  their  minister ....   634 

1     Petition  from  Albanv  as  to  their   rights  under  the  restored 

Dutch  Government 634 

8  The  Corporation  of  New  Orange  (New  York)  to  the  States 
General,  respecting  the  means  for  prosperity  in  New  Nether- 
land  635,  636 

26  Freedom  of  Religion  granted  to  Lutherans  at  Albany 636 

27  Instructions  for  Andries  Draeyer,  Commandant  at  Fort  Nassau.  636 

29     Others  than  Quakers  to  be  elected  at  Shrewsbury,  N.  J 636 

29     Instructions  for  Peter  Aldrichs,  Commander  at  South  River. . .   637 

Oct.        1     Instructions  for  the  Magistrates  of  the  Dutch  villages  on  Long 

Island    637 

Nov.     15     Proclamation  for  a  Day  of  Humiliation  and  Prayer 637 

Dec.  9-19     The  States  General  to  Charles  II 639 

1674. 

Jan.      15     Magistrates  to  be  only  of  the  Reformed  Religion 640 

17     Case  of  Rev.   Jacob   Fabritius 640 

Feb.      15     Case  of  Rev.  Jacob  Fabritius   640 

24    Petition  against  Rev.  J.  Fabritius 641 


xxxu 


Table  of  Contents. 


1674. 

March  17 

31 

April 

9 

16 

18 

18 

18 

May 

9 

June 

16 

26 

July 

1 

17 

23 

23 


Summer 

26 

Aug. 

6 

Sept. 

21 

26 

Oct. 

8 

9 

27 

PAGE. 

Valuation  of  Property  of  Inhabitants  of  New  Orange    (New 

York)    \ 641-643 

Charles  II.  to  States  General 644 

Eev.  Rolandus  Carpentier    644,  645 

States  General  to  Governor  of  New  Netherland 645 

Rev.  Fabritius  forbidden  to  baptize 645 

Case  between  Wm.  Teller  and  Gideon  Schaats   646 

Punishment  for  disturbing  Public  Worship 646 

Maintenance  of  Minister  at  Jamaica 646,  647 

Petition  of  Widow  Megapolensis  for  arrears  of  husband's  sal- 
ary, with  action  thereon;  June  27 647 

Arrears  of  salary  of  Eev.  Megapolensis 648 

Instructions  to  Gov.  Andros :  as  to  religion 648 

Complaint  against  Eev.  Fabritius 649 

Petition  of  Church  of  New  York,  and  confirmation  of  their 

title  to  the  Church  in  the  Fort  —  Dutch  and  English 649 

Duke  of  York  recommends  Eev.  Nicholas  Van  Eensselaer  to 

one  of  the  Dutch  Churches    649,  650 

Merchants  to  the  Admiralty  at  Amsterdam 651,  652 

Eev.  Wm.  Van    Nieuwenhuysen  to    Classis  of    Amsterdam  — 
Death    of    Eev.    Drisius  —  Treaty    of    Peace  —  Holland  vs. 

France  —  Condition  of  Church  —  Questions    652-655 

Order  to  Dut  the  Duke's  Laws  of  Feb.  28,  1665  in  force  in  New 

York 655,  656 

Action  on  the  Labadists  sent  to  New  York 656 

Petition  of  the  Lutherans  of  Williamstadt  for  Leave  to  bury 

their   Dead    659,  660 

Election  of  Churchmasters  660 

Eev.  Eoelandius  Carpentier   661 

Churchmasters  confirmed   661 

Conditions  of  Ee-surrender    662 


ADMINISTEATION  OF  GOVEENOE  EDMUND  ANDEOS. 


J-\J  1  -J 

Nov. 

-• 

3 

6 

9 

Nov. 

Nov. 

26 

30 

Dec. 

9 

Oct.  31,  Nov.  10,  1674-1683. 

Committee  to  welcome  Gov.  Andros 663 

Pass  to  Eev.  B.  Arensius,  Lutheran,  to  go  to  Albany 663 

Proclamation  by  Gov.  Andros,  confirming  all  right  as  existing 

before    663,  664 

Petition  of  the  Lutherans  about  non-contributors 684 

Letter  from  Eev.  Nieuwenhuysen,  read  664,  665 

Inhabitants  of  Hempstead  petition  the  Governor  for  a  minister.  685 
The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Eev.  Wm.  Nieuwenhuysen . .  667,  668 
Anneke  Jans  property    (owned  by  Gov.  Lovelace),  confiscated 

to  Duke  of  York 668 


Table  of  Contents.  xxxiii 

1675.  PAGE. 

March  16     Petition  of  Dutch  Burghers  of  New  York  to  Gov.  Andros,  as 

to  the  form  of  the  oath  of  allegiance 669,  670 

16     Petition  of  the  Dutch  Burghers  to  the  States  General,  as  to 

said  oath  671,  672 

May      27     Rev.  Henry  Selyns,  Chaplain  in  the  Dutch  Army 672 

June       1     Petition  of  Lutherans  for  confirmation  of  grant  of  land  on  the 
Delaware  of  1672;   and  for  confirmation  of  Domines  Laers 

and  Fabritius  as  their  ministers. 672,  673 

Declaration  of  Magistrates  of  New  Castle 673 

Order  summoning  Ogle  and  Fabritius  before  the  Governor. .  .  .   674 

July     26     Warrant  sent  to  Fabritius  and  Ogle 674 

Aug.     1  ?     Petition  of  Fabritius  relative  to  changes  made 675 

July  29  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Haarlem 675,  676 

Art.  30.     Labadists. 

Aug.     14     Remonstrance  against  the  ministry  of  Fabritius 676 

26     Letter    from  Bev.  Selyns    on  the    religious    condition  of    the 

Dutch  armv  676 

ft 

Sept.      7     Bev.  Gideon  Schaats  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam 676,  677 

15  Suspension  of  Bev.  Fabritius    677 

15     Duke  of  York  to  Gov.  Andros,  concerning  those  who  refused  to 

take  an  unconditional  oath 677 

25  Domine  Van  Nieuwenhuysen  summoned  before  the  Council  — 

Nicholas  Van  Rensselaer  case 678,  679 

25-30     Defence  of  Bev.  Van  Nieuwenhuysen  in  reference  to  the  claims 

of  Bev.  Nicholas  Van  Rensselaer  679-681 

30     Answer  of  Domine  Van  Nieuwenhuysen 681 

Oct.        1     Conditions  under  which  Van  Nieuwenhuysen  is  willing  that 

Van  Bensselaer  should  officiate  in  a  Dutch  Church.  .  .  .   681,  682 

2     Promise  of  Van  Bensselaer  to  conform 682 

1676. 

Dec.      26     Rev.  Henry  Selyns  reports  on  his  army  life 682 

March  30     Classis  fail  to  get  West  India  Company  to  pay  arrearages  of 

salary  of  Megapolensis 683 

April  27     The  widow  Megapolensis   683 

Petition  of  inhabitants  of  Esopus  for  a  minister :  —  Rev.  Peter 

Tesschenmaker    683,  684 

May  20-30     Bev.  Wm.  Van  Nieuwenhuysen  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam 

—  Bev.  Van  Bensselaer  case 684-686 

26  Widow  Megapolensis   686 

July     20     Bev.  Casparus  Van  Zuuren   686-687 

Aug.     15     Affidavits  as  to  Bev.  John  Megapolensis's  loyalty 687 

29  Bev.  Wm.  Van  Nieuwenhuysen  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  .   6SS,  689 

Sept.      8     Arrest  and  release  of  Domine  Van  Bensselaer 689 

15  Domine  Van  Bensselaer  gives  bail 689 

16  Case  of  Bev.  Van  Bensselaer   689,  690 

18     Leysler  vs.  Van  Bensselaer   690 

23     Case  of  Bev.  Van  Bensselaer 690 

28     Case  of  Bevs.  Schaats  and  Van  Bensselaer 690,  691 

•  •  • 

lU 


xxxiv  Table  of  Contents. 

1677.  PAGE. 

Oct.      23     Case  of  Rev.  Van  Rensselaer   691 

Petition  from  Huntington,  L.  I.,  against  Quakers 691,  692 

March  15  Rev.  Casparus  Van  Zueren  —  Letter  from  Rev.  Van  Nieuwen- 
huysen,  read  —  Death  of  Rev.  Polhemus  —  Desire  for  return 
of  Rev.  Selyns  —  Rev.  Van  Zuuren   692,  693 

July  17  Memorial  of  Bishop  of  London  respecting  churches  in  the  Plan- 
tations      693 

26  Extracts  from  letters  —  Van  Nieuwenhuysen 694 

Aug.  10  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Hoorn 695,  696 

Art.     9.     Extract  of  Indian  Affairs.  J 

Abstract  of  letter  of  Van  Nieuwenhuysen  of  July 
27,  1676. 
Art.  55.     Ministerial  changes. 

Rev.  Casparus  Van  Zuuren. 
Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis. 
Sept.    26     Church  of  Kingston  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam 697 

27  Petition  of  the  three  villages,  Kingston,  Marbletown  and  Hur- 

ley, to  Gov.  Andros,  to  be  permitted  to  call  a  preacher..  697-699 
30     Rev.  Casparus  Van  Zuuren  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam....  699-704 
Oct.        4     Petition  of  East  and  North  Ridings  of  Long  Island  for  support 

of  ministers,  schoolmasters,  etc 705 

1677-1678. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Rev.  Casparus  Van  Zuuren.  705,  706 

1678. 

March   7     Call  of  ministers :    Rev.  Laurentus  Gaasbeek  to  Esopus 706 

18     Huntington  and  its  clergyman 708 

Jan.?  Answer  of  Governor  Andros  to  enquiries  about  New  England 

(Received  April  16,  1678 ) : 709 

Jan.-  Answer  of  Governor  Andros  to  enquiries  of  Council  of  trade, 

about  New  York.      (Received  April  9,  1678 ) 709 

May        2     Van  Zueren's  letters    709 

June     24     Matthias  Nicols  to  Rev.  Prudden  of  Jamaica 710 

July     15     Friends  in  West  Jersey  resolve  to  hold  Monthly  Meetings 710 

Aug.  1  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Enckhuysen 710 

Art.     9.     Rev.  Rudolphus    Varick,  received  under  care    of 

Synod. 
Art.  10.     Ministerial  changes. 

Rev.  Laurence  Gaasbeeck. 

Oct.      15     English  Church  Service  in  New  York 711 

30    Rev.  Casparus  Van  Zueren  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam 711-719 


1678-1680. 

Rev.  Charles  Wooley,  chaplain  to  Gov.  Andros 720 

1679. 

Feb.       6    Minister's  House  at  Albany  —  Rev.  Schaats 720 

May       4    Rev.  Casparus  Van  Zueren  to  Domine  Cornelius  Danckcrts  of 

Amsterdam    721,  722 

26     Prevention  of  Quaker  Meetings  at  Hempstead 723 

July     24     Letters  from  Van  Suren   (Van  Zueren)    723 


\ 


Table  of  Contents.  xxxv 

1679  PAGE. 

Aug.  4  et  seq.     Synod  of  North  Holland  at  Edam 723,  724 

Art.  32.     Labadists  —  Coelman. 
Art.  61.     Ministerial  changes. 

Died,  Rev.  William  Grasmeer. 
Rev.  Gerardus  Beekman. 
Martinus  Lydius. 
Theodore  Brouwer. 
Entered:     Rev.   Rudolphus  Varick. 
Sept.    30     Order  of  Gov.  Andros  to  the  Dutch  ministers  to  examine  and 

ordain  Rev.  Peter  Tesschenmaker 724-726 

Oct.        9     Copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting  which  ordained  Peter 

Teschenmaker 726,  727 

15-25     Rev.  Laurentius    Van    Gaasbeeck    to    the  Classis    of  Amster- 
dam      727-729 

Nov.  —  The  four  Dutch  ministers,  Schaats,  Van  Nieuwenhuysen,  Van 
Zueren  and  Van  Gaasbeeck,  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
(About  the  first  ordination  in  State  of  New  York,  that  of 

Peter  Teschenmaker)    730-733 

A  Minute  by  an  unknown  party,  about  the  ordination  of  Peter 

Teschenmaker   733-735 

Dec.        4     Letters  from  Rev.  Van  Zueren,  read   735 

31     Commissioners  of  Schenectady  to  certain  merchants  in  Amster- 
dam to  procure  them  a  minister 735 

1680. 

Jan.      24     Minister's  house  at  Flatbush   736 

29     Letter  of  the  four  Dutch  ministers   (Nov.  1679)   who  ordained 

Teschenmaker,    read    737 

March  11     Domine  Schaats  and  the  Lutherans   737,  738 

April      2     The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Dutch  ministers  in  America, 

approving  ordination  of  Teschenmaker 739 

2     The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  churches  of  Long  Island. .   740,741 
21     The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Rev.  Caspar  Van  Zueren.  .  .   742,  743 
June     31     Proposals  to  raise  funds  to  build  a  new  Dutch  Church  in  New 

York 743 

July       4     Petition  of  Quakers  against  fines  for  celebrating  marriages  — 

Certificate  for  Reverend  Charles  Wolley 744 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS^ 


1.  Frontispiece  —  New  York  City  about  1667.  pagu, 

2.  Seal  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  Adopted  1638  68 

3.  North  East  and  South  East  Corners  of  Broad  Street  and  Ex- 

change Place  at  the  Close  of  the  17th  Century 164 

4.  Father  Isaac  Jogues 214 

5.  Sample  of  Old  Manuscript 336 

6.  Address  of  Letter  of  Rev.  Henry  Selyns 540 

7.  Dutch  House  in  New  York  City,  1679 641 

8.  Sample  of  Old  Manuscript 684 


INTRODUCTION. 


WORTH    OF    HISTORICAL    DOCUMENTS  —  BY    THE    REV. 

EDWARD  T.  CORWIN,  D.  D. 


The  worth  of  contemporary  documents  for  the  writing  of  his- 
tory needs  no  discussion.  The  zeal  of  Americans  in  searching 
out  and  accumulating  such  material  has  steadily  increased  since 
the  opening  of  the  nineteenth  century.  By  the  aid  of  Historical 
Societies  and  of  Legislatures,  thousands  of  valuable  documents 
have  been  rescued  from  destruction  or  oblivion. 

Intebest  of  the  State  of  ITew  York  in  StrcH  Documents.* 

The  State  of  'New  York  has  ever  done  and  is  yet  doing  its  share 
in  securing  and  preserving  original  documents  for  the  elucida- 
tion of  her  history.  Historical  inquiry  is  always  an  incentive  to 
progress,  in  whatever  department  it  is  pursued.  It  was  under 
such  a  spirit  that  the  ^ew  York  Historical  Society  was  founded 
in  1804,  "  The  principal  design  of  which  should  be  to  collect  and 
preserve  whatever  may  relate  to  the  natural,  civil  or  ecclesiastical 
history  of  the  United  States,  in  general,  and  of  this  State,"  New 
York,  "  in  particiilar.'' 

This  Society  had  not  pursued  its  objects  very  long,  before  it 
was  discovered  that  the  attainment  of  such  objects,  so  various, 
comprehensive  and  important,  requiring  so  much  knowledge, 
research,  industry  and  expense,  was  beyond  the  means  or  ability 
of  individual  enterprise.     Hence  the  Legislature  granted  a  char- 

•  See  "  Introduction  "  in  Vol.  i.  of  Col.  Docs.  New  York. 


6  Introduction. 

ter  to  tlie  said  Society  in  1809,  to  facilitate  its  work,  having 
already  frequently  befriended  it  by  its  mnniiicence  before. 

It  was  tliis  Society,  in  a  Memorial  prepared  by  De  Witt  Clinton 
in  1814,  which  pointed  out  to  the  Legislature,  the  necessity  and 
importance  of  searching  Archives  in  Europe  in  order  to  obtain 
documents  for  an  authentic  history  of  the  State.  After  repeated 
overtures  on  this  subject,  and  much  preliminary  work,  in  order 
to  understand  what  material  was  already  on  hand,  the  ISTew  York 
Historical  Society  again  memorialized  the  Legislature  in  1839  on 
the  importance  of  securing  official  documents  from  Europe,  and 
asked  that  the  Legislature  would  make  an  appropriation  to  this 
end,  and  appoint  an  agent  to  do  the  work. 

The  Memorial  was  transmitted  to  the  Legislature  by  Governor 
Seward,  with  a  special  message  recommending  it. 

A  Select  Committee  was  appointed  by  the  House,  (Loring  D. 
Chapin,  Chairman),  vt^ho  made  a  report.  This  report  spoke  of  the 
former  indifference  to  historical  studies;  of  the  importance  of 
transcripts  from  foreign  Archives;  of  the  design  of  Historical 
Societies,  and  their  great  importance;  of  the  wish  of  the  'New 
York  Historical  Society  to  have  an  Agent  sent  to  Europe;  of  the 
fact  that  other  States  were  doing  this;  of  the  high  position  of 
iN'ew  York  State  in  the  Union;  of  the  only  history  of  New  York 
yet  existing  —  that  of  William  Smith  —  which  was  a  mere  narra- 
tive, and  that  New  York  had  yet  no  reliable  history;  of  the  fact 
that  the  relations  with  Holland  and  England  had  been  most  inti- 
mate, and  that  there  must  be  many  documents  in  their  Archives, 
relating  to  !N"ew  York,  as  well  as  in  those  of  France;  and  therefore 
it  was  suggested  that  four  thousand  dollars  be  appropriated,  as  it 
would  take  at  least  two  years  to  make  the  searches. 

The  Appointment  of  J.  Romeyn  Bkobhead. 

A  Bill  was  passed  May  2,  1839,  that  an  Agent  be  appointed  to 
visit  England,  Holland  and  France  to  secure  copies  of  all  desirable 


Introduction".  7 

documents,  to  be  deposited  in  tlie  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
subject  to  the  use  of  the  I^ew  York  Historical  Society.  Four 
thousand  dollars  were  appropriated  to  this  object. 

The  Act  was  purposely  made  broad  and  indefinite.  The  Agent 
was  to  exercise  his  discretion  in  selecting  any  documents  or  papers 
relating  to,  or  in  any  way  affecting  the  Colonial  or  other  history 
of  the  State. 

In  January,  1841,  J.  Romeyn  Brodhead  was  selected  as  such 
Agent.  He  had  been  already  attached  to  the  American  Legation 
at  the  Hague.  He  spent  considerable  time  at  Albany  before  start- 
ing on  his  mission,  to  learn  what  documents  were  already  there  in 
order  to  avoid  duplications. 

On  March  27,  1841,  he  received  specific  instructions  from  Gov- 
ernor Seward: — In  these,  reference  was  first  made  to  the  Act 
appointing  an  Agent  and  its  design,  and  that  the  "  Instructions  " 
now  given  were  only  advisory.  Hef  erence  was  made  to  the  benefit 
of  possessing  such  documents;  to  the  fact  that  there  must  be  a 
great  quantity  of  official  material  relating  to  America,  in  Holland, 
England  and  Trance;  that  copies  of  the  Instructions  to  the  Eng- 
lish Governors  would  be  of  great  use,  as  well  as  those  to  the 
French  Governors  of  Canada;  indeed,  that  all  papers  in  the  Euro- 
pean Archives  relating  to  'New  !N'etherland  or  I^ew  York  should 
be  secured.  He  was  first  to  visit  Holland,  then  England,  then 
France,  and  to  report  to  the  Governor,  and  ask  further  advice. 

Brodhead  sailed  on  May  1,  1841.  On  February  1,  1845,  he 
made  an  elaborate  report  to  the  Governor,  Silas  Wright,  who 
transmitted  it  to  the  Legislature,  the  substance  of  which  is  as 
follows : 

Brodhead's  Report. 

Brodhead's  report  to  the  Governor  first  refers  to  the  anti- 
quarian spirit  which  led  to  the  formation  of  the  Historical 
Society,  and  to  his  appointment;  of  his  interviews  with  Mr.  Steven- 
son, the  American  Minister  in  England;   of  the   difficulties   of 


8  iNTRODUCTIOIir. 

obtaining  access  to  the  documents  in  England;  and  of  the  neces- 
sity of  temporarily  leaving  England  without  success,  and  pro- 
ceeding to  Holland. 

In  Holland  he  was  cordially  received,  and  through  Mr.  Bleecker, 
the  American  Charge  d' Affaires,  the  King  became  interested,  and 
secured  him  every  facility  to  the  Archives.  Reference  is  then 
made  to  the  riches  of  the  Holland  Archives,  and  their  convenient 
arrangement,  as  w^ell  as  the  excellence  of  the  indexing.  He  refers 
to  the  difficulties  of  the  early  chirography.  He  was  greatly  dis- 
appointed, however,  to  find  that  the  Records  of  the  West  India 
Company  had  been  sold  in  1821,  for  old  paper.  In  Holland,  he 
obtained  about  four  thousand  pages  of  transcripts. 

In  December,  1841,  he  returned  to  London.  He  now  found 
Mr.  Everett  there  as  Minister  of  the  United  States,  who  had 
instructions  from  the  President  to  apply  to  the  British  Govern- 
ment to  secure  facilities  for  Mr.  Brodhead  to  make  searches  in 
the  English  Archives.  Lord  Aberdeen  was  Secretary  of  State. 
Upon  Mr.  Everett's  stating  the  general  object  of  Mr.  Brodhead's 
mission,  success  finally  crowned  his  efforts,  April,  1842,  yet  not 
without  embarrassments  and  delavis. 

Mr.  Brodhead  in  his  Report  here  gives  an  account  of  the  super- 
vision of  the  State  Paper  Office  from  1660  onward,  and  of  the 
Records  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  which  relate  chiefly  to  the  Ameri- 
can colonies.  This  ^^  Board  of  Trade ''  was  organized  May  15, 
1696,  by  William  III,  and  was  continued  until  1Y82.  Its  Rec- 
ords make  two  thousand  volumes.  This  Board  had  general  charge 
of  the  Plantations,  nominated  the  Governors  for  the  Colonies, 
and  reported  on  their  respective  administrations,  upon  the  Colonial 
Acts,  and  examined  the  Instructions  sent  to  them.  Brodhead 
here  describes  the  various  sets  of  Records.  He  examined  over 
five  hundred  volumes.  He  also  describes  his  visits  to  the  British 
Museum  and  other  Libraries.  He  obtained  in  England  about 
seventeen  thousand  pages  of  transcripts.  The  documents  relat- 
ing to  ]^ew  York  are  only  full  and  complete  after  1696. 


Introduction.  9 

He  then  describes  his  going  to  Paris,  and  the  facilities  secured 
to  him  through  Mr.  Cass,  American  Minister  in  France.  The 
French  Government,  from  the  first,  showed  every  courtesy  that 
could  be  desired.  He  describes  the  French  Archives  in  part.  He 
there  secured  six  thousand  pages  of  transcripts. 

He  embarked  for  home  on  July  7,  1844.  He  states  that  he  was 
obliged  to  limit  his  researches  from  lack  of  funds.  He  at  once 
reported  to  the  Governor,  on  his  arrival,  and  spent  the  rest  of  the 
year  in  making  a  Calendar  of  the  papers  secured.  He  used  the 
dates  of  the  Historical  Year,  beginning  January  1,  rather  than  of 
the  then  English  Legal  Year,  beginning  March  25th,  and  also  so 
as  to  avoid  the  confusion  of  Old  and  ISTew  Style. 

He  expended  in  all  twelve  thousand  dollars,  not  to  speak  of 
considerable  private  expense  incurred  besides. 

Action  on  Brodhead^s  Report. 

This  Report  with  the  Governor's  message  was  referred  to  a 
special  Committee,  who  reported  on  May  5,  1845 : 

They  said,  in  substance : — ■  A  respect  for  the  memorials  of  the 
past  was  a  mark  of  advanced  ci\dlization.  Savages  and  irrational 
animals  care  only  for  the  present,  and  are  indifferent  to  the  past 
and  the  future.  With  the  growth  of  intelligence  there  comes 
solicitude  for  the  future;  but  it  requires  a  still  higher  degree  of 
progress  to  develop  an  interest  in  the  past.  The  monuments  of 
antiquity  are  passed  by  as  rubbish,  until  an  enlightened  desire 
is  awakened  to  understand  the  foundations  of  society,  and  the 
sources  of  national  greatness.  America  was  long  reproached 
because  she  took  no  pains  to  preserve  her  ancient  records.  This 
was  no  longer  true. 

To  remove  this  reproach,  it  was  only  necessary  to  show  the  char- 
acter of  its  earlv  founders,  whose  Fatherland  Avas  a  model  of  free- 
dom  and  prosperity.  The  Report  then  referred  to  the  action  of 
the  Historical  Society  and  to  the  Act  of  the  Legislature  appoint- 


10  Introductioit. 

ing  an  Agent  to  go  to  Europe  to  procure  copies  of  all  important 

I 

documents;  of  the  successive  appropriations  aggregating  twelve 
thousand  dollars;  of  the  appointment  of  Brodhead,  and  of  hie 
efforts,  with  the  voluminous  results.  Certain  of  the  early  inter- 
esting documents  were  referred  to.  It  was  recommended  that 
the  documents  in  foreign  languages  should  be  translated.  The 
Report  referred  to  the  great  lack  of  documents  and  even  of  any 
proper  knowledge  of  ^N'ew  York  before  1638,  until  these  docu- 
ments were  brought  over.  A  letter  of  Bancroft  was  also  referred 
to,  expressing  his  deep  sense  of  their  importance. 

Further  Action  on  the  Brodhead  Documents. 

The  Brodhead  documents  remained  for  several  years  in  the 
condition  in  which  they  w^ere,  when  deposited  in  the  Secretary's 
office.  They  were  subsequently  removed  to  the  new  State  Hall 
at  Albany.  Secretary  Morgan  then  had  all  the  other  records 
arranged  and  bound,  making  tw^o  hundred  large  folio  volumes. 
It  was  now  suggested  that  a  general  Calendar  of  the  entire  Archives 
should  be  made. 

In  1848  an  Act  was  passed  for  translating  certain  of  these  Dutch 
and  French  documents.  This  was  done  by  Dr.  E.  B.  O'Callaghan, 
and  on  January  5,  1849,  these  were  ordered  to  be  printed.  In 
April,  1850,  a  second  volume  of  Documentary  History  was  printed, 
containing  some  of  the  Brodhead  documents.  On  March  30,  1849, 
another  Act  was  passed  to  provide  for  the  further  publication  of 
Colonial  Documents. 

It  was  finally  determined  to  print  all  the  documents,  and  Dr. 
O'Callaghan  was  appointed  General  Manager.  In  Assembly 
Document  66  (1851),  and  Senate  Document  24  (1853),  and  the 
annual  reports  of  the  Comptroller,  may  be  found  detailed  state- 
ments of  the  progress  of  this  work.  The  publication  was  to 
consist  of  ten  quarto  volumes.  Volumes  1  and  2  were  to  be  Hol- 
land Documents ;  volumes  3  to  8,  London  Documents ;  and  volumes 


Introductiois'.  11 

9  and  10,  Paris  Documents.     Yolnme  3  was  first  issued.     This 
was  in  1853,  and  the  others  rapidly  appeared. 

The  UsEFULisrEss  of  these  Documents. 

Accurate  histories  of  the  Empire  State  in  part  or  in  whole,  have 
greatly  multiplied  since  the  State  has  possessed  this  material.  We 
need  only  refer  to  O^Oallaghan's  History  of  ISTew  E'etherland, 
coming  down  to  1664;  Brodhead^s  History  of  New  York,  coming 
down  to  1691.  Mr.  Brodhead  died  in  1873.  We  need  not  speak 
of  many  others.  Scores  also  of  local  histories  have  heen  written, 
drawing  chiefly,  or  largely,  from  this  material.  Histories  also  of 
Religious  Denominations  and  of  individual  churches  have  multi- 
plied: as  Perry^s  History  of  the  Episcopal  Church;  Shea's  History 
of  the  Catholic  Church;  Corwin's  Manual  of  the  Reformed 
Church ;  Briggs'  History  of  Presbyterianism,  and  many  others ;  be- 
sides the  thirteen  volumes  of  the  American  Church  History  Series, 
embracing  all  denominations.  Almost  every  one  of  these  histories 
resorted  to  this  great  storehouse  of  facts  —  the  Documentary  His- 
tory and  Colonial  Documents  —  furnished  by  the  State  of  New 
York,  for  much  of  their  material. 

The  further  history  of  the  procurement  of  Ecclesiastical  Docu- 
ments by  Mr.  Brodhead  in  1841-4,  and  of  the  subsequent  addi- 
tions to  the  same,  may  perhaps  be  best  given  by  extracts  from  u 
Report  made  by  the  writer,  who  recently  spent  fifteen  months  in 
Holland  on  a  similar  business: 


When  Mr.  Brodhead  started  on  his  mission,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Thomas  De  Witt,  one  of  the  pastors  of  the  Collegiate  Church  of 
New  York,  requested  him  to  seek  access  also  to  some  of  the  Eccle- 
siastical Archives  in  Holland,  (See  Brodhead's  Address,  1844,  p. 
8,)  to  ascertain  whether  there  was  not  material  to  be  found 
therein  which  would  throw  light  on  the  early  history  of  the 
churches  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey.     This  request  was  ia 


12  Introduction. 

perfect  harmony  with  his  main  enterprise,  and  he  cheerfully 
consented.  His  letter,  making  application  to  the  ecclesiastical 
authorities  in  Holland,  in  1841,  for  permission  to  search  their 
Archives,  was  found  by  the  writer  in  his  recent  researches,  as 
well  as  several  letters  of  Rev.  Thomas  De  Witt  bearing  on  the 
same  subject.     Mr.  Brodhead's  application  begins  as  follows: 

"  The  undersigned,  commissioned  by  the  Governor  of  the  State 
of  E'ew  York,  as  Agent,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  in  Holland, 
England  and  France,  documents  illustrating  the  early  history  of 
the  State,  begs  leave  to  submit  a  few  observations  to  your  Rev. 
body  '\  He  then  briefly  refers  to  the  early  planting  of  the 
in  their  (Holland)  Archives  for  the  elucidation  of  the  social  and 
religious  history  of  the  State.  He  adds :  "  The  Revolutionary 
War  .  .  .  was  no  doubt  the  cause  why  so  many  of  our 
precious  records  and  memorials,  which  were  deposited  with  the 
different  churches  and  ministers,  are  not  now  to  be  found.  Great 
exertions  have  been  made,  and  are  now  making,  to  recover  what- 
ever is  possible  of  these  papers.  .  .  .  Unless  the  requisite 
material  can  be  procured,  it  is  obvious  that  we  can  never  hope  to 
have  a  full  and  perfect  history  of  our  church  written,  which  is 
now  an  object  of  such  great  interest.  .  .  .  The  documents 
and  papers  in  the  Archives  of  the  Classis  '^  (of  Amsterdam)  "  relat- 
ing to  the  churches  in  !N'ew  ^Netherland  .  .  .  are  of  the  high- 
est importance  to  the  historian  in  New  York.  .  .  .  They 
would  furnish  a  rich  treasure  from  whence  to  draw  materials  for 
the  contemplated  history  .  .  .  and  would  perpetuate  the 
remembrance  of  former  times,  and  of  the  gratitude  due  to  our 
ancestors  of  the  Fatherland.     .     .     .     ". 

"  Submitting  most  respectfully  these  observations  to  the  Rev. 
Classis, 

The  undersigned  has  the  honor  to  be.  Reverend  Gentlemen, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
Amsterdam,  J.  Romeyn  Brodhead.^* 

6th  Sept.  1841. 


♦«?(  • 


Introduction.  13 


His  request  was  cheerfully  granted.  Mr.  Brodliea3,  however, 
could  not  make  these  particular  seiarches  himself,  but  he  employed 
Mr.  Prins,  then  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and 
a  Mr.  Yander  Broek,  an  elder  of  the  church  there,  and  who 
had  also  been  the  United  Staites  Consul  in  Amsterdam,  to  make 
these  searches  for  him.  They  did  not,  however,  make  their 
investigations  exhaustive. 

They  examined  FIRST,  as  the  Documents  then  obtained,  show, 
the  seven  volumes  of  the  Correspondence,  in  which  the  letters 
of  the  Classis  of  Amsrterdam  to  their  Colonial  Churches  in  all 
quarters  of  the  world,  were  recorded.  Transcripts  were  made 
from  these  volumes,  of  much  of  the  material  relating  to  America, 
amounting  to  about  nine  hundred  pages. 


In  the  SECOND  PLACE,  the  parties  employed  to  make  these 
searches,  sought  out  the  letters  sent  from  America  to  the  Classis. 
For  while  the  Classis  kept  copies  of  the  letters  which  they  sent 
to  the  churches  abroad,  the  letters  from  the  Foreign  Churches 
to  the  Classis,  were  kept  on  file.  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Brodhead's 
visit,  (1841),  they  were  stored  away  in  bundles,  according  to  some 
method  of  classification,  not  now  exactly  understood.  Out  of 
hundreds  of  such  bundles,  only  seven  were  then  found  relating 
to  America.  Five  of  these  bundles  related  to  the  Dutch  Churches 
of  'New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  two  of  them  to  the  German 
Churches  in  New  York,  ISTew  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania.  These 
seven  bundles  were  placed  in  Mr.  Brodhead's  hands  as  a  loan  to 
the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America, 
for  the  term  of  four  years,  1842-46.  It  was  supposed  at  the  time, 
that  these  embraced  all  the  letters,  which  had  been  written  in 
America,  and  sent  to  the  Classis.  At  the  end  of  the  four  years, 
upon  the  earnest  and  repeated  request  of  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  De 
Witt,  the  ownership  of  these  original  letters  was  transferred  ab- 
solutely to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Church  in  America. 


14r  In'TRODUCTION. 


Teaitslatioi^  of  the  Bkodhead  Ecclesiastical.  Material. 

ISTow  most  of  this  Correspondence  then  ohtained, —  both  that  of 
the  Classis  to  America,  and  that  of  the  American  Churches  to  the 
Classis  —  was  translated  about  1875,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Synod's  Committee  for  the  selection  of  books  for  the  Sage  Library 
(in  ISTew  Brunswick,  IST.  J.)^  This  work  was  done  by  students  of 
Dutch  descent,  then  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Isew  Bruns- 
wick, !N".  J.  But  these  translations  did  not  always  prove  to  be  in 
the  best  English  idiom.  They  have,  therefore,  been  revised  by 
the  writer,  as  opportunity  permitted  during  the  intervening  years. 
This  material  which  was  secured  by  Mr.  Brodhead,  approximates 
to  a  couple  of  thousand  pages  and  was  largely  utilized^  by  the 
writer  in  his  Article  on  "  The  Church  in  the  Colonial  Period  ", 
in  the  volume  known  as  "  The  Centennial  Discourses^"  1876 ;  and 
also  in  the  Third  Edition  of  his  "  Manual  of  the  Eeformed  Church 
in  America,  1879." 

Calendar  of  the  Brodhead  Ecclesiastical  !Material. 

But  while  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  the  works  just  alluded 
to,  the  writer  gradually  made  for  his  own  use  a  "  Calendar  "  in 
Chronological  order,  of  all  the  ecclesiastical  material  obtained  by 
Brodhead,  as  well  as  of  other  similar  material  in  the  possession 
of  the  Synod.  He  also  included  in  this  Calendar  the  titles  of  other 

^  This  Committee  consisted  of  the  Faculty  of  the  New  Brunswicl:  Seminary  —  Rev. 
Drs,  S.  M.  Woodbridge,  John  De  Witt,  David  Demarest,  Abraham  B.  Van  Zandt, 
together  with  a  Committee  of  co-operation  —  Rev.  Drs.  Talbot  W.  Chambers, 
Chester  D.  Hartranft  and  Edward  T.  Corwin,  In  1878  Dr.  Hartranft  removed  to 
Hartford,  Ct.,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Jacob  Cooper,  of  Rutgers  College,  was  appointed  in  his 
place.  Meetings  were  held  monthly  for  ten  years,  1875-85,  and  books  amounting  to 
sixty  thousand  dollars  were  added  to  the  Sage  Library.  This  Library  contains  the 
best  collection  on  Holland,  civil  and  ecclesiastical,  in  America. 

'  Broadhead  in  his  history  of  New  York,  which  unfortunately  only  extends  down 
to  1691,  constantly  quotes  from  these  letters.  A  third  volume  of  his  History  of  New 
York,  1691-1705,  was  almost  ready  for  the  press  in  1873,  when  he  died.  Could  not 
this  portion  of  his  papers  yet  be  recovered  and  edited?  They  cover  a  very  important 
period,  1691-1705,  in  the  history  of  New  York.  O'Callaghan  also  quotes  from  these 
same  documents. 


Introduction.  15 

documents,  incidentally  alluded  to,  in  the  documents  already  pos- 
sessed.^ 

As  he  proceeded  in  this  work,  it  became  increasingly  evident 
that  hardly  half  the  Holland  documents,  which  were  certainly  once 
in  existence,  were  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Church  in  this 
country.     This  fact  was  confirmed  by  Rev.  R.  Randall  Hoes,  a 
chaplain  in  the  ISTavy,  and  a  devoted  student  of  Colonial  Church 
History,  who  visited  Holland  in  1885,  and  spent  a  month  in  the 
Church  Archives.     He  found  two  portfolios  containing  more  than 
three  hundred  documents  written  in  America,  mostly  additional 
to  those  obtained  by  Brodhead.     He  also  noticed  that  the  Minutes 
of  the  various^  ecclesiastical  bodies  —  those  of  the  Classis  and  of  the 
Deputies  —  had  not  been  examined  in  1841,  at  least  to  any  great 
extent.     He  reported  these  facts  to  the  General  Synod  of  1887, 
and  that  Body,  understanding  that  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin  was  about 
to  visit  Holland  for  his  health,  authorized  him  to  negotiate  for  the 
additional  material.     (See  Minutes  of  General  Synod,  1887,  pages 
440-2.)  He  could  not  secure  a  meeting  of  the  Classis,  as  the  minis- 
ters, with  two  exceptions,  were  out  of  Amsterdam  on  their  vaca- 
tion; but  he  obtained  access  to  the  Archives,  and  he  was  abun- 
dantly confirmed  in  the  belief  that  there  was  a  large  quantity  of 
additional  material.     He,  therefore,  addressed  a  communication 
to  the  Classis,  explaining  the  wish  of  the  Synod;  referring  to  the 
material  before  obtained  in  1841,  and  of  the  loan  and  ultimate 
gift  of  the  letters  from  America  to  the  Synod;  and  of  the  desire 
of  the  Synod  to  translate  and  print  all  the  documents  relating  to 
America,  when  the  collection  was  complete.  This  communication 
was  translated  into  Dutch  and  fifty  copies  printed  for  distribu- 
tion among  members  of  the  Classis.     The  Classis  in  due  time 
replied,  expressing  their  joy  at  the  interest  manifested  in  these 
historical  studies  in  America,  and  their  willingness  to  facilitate 

•  This  Calendar  was  also  made  ultimately  to  include  references  to  most  of  the 
similar  material,  both  civil  and  ecclesiastical,  relating  to  all  phases  of  our  colonial 
church  history,  of  all  denominations. 


16  Introduction. 

them  in  any  way  in  their  power;  but  they  couldi  not  comply 
with  the  Synod's  request.  They  could  not  loan  documents,  and 
could  not  even  consider  the  matter  of  selling  them,  as  they  be- 
longed to  the  ^'  Universitas." 

Kesearches  by  Dr.  Oorwin,  1897-8. —  Preparatory  and 

General. 

The  above  facts  w^ere  duly  reported  to  the  Synod  of  1888  (pages 
685-6),  but  the  matter  remained  in  abeyance  for  several  years.  In 
1895,  however,  Rev.  Dr.  T.  W.  Chambers  requested  the  writer  t« 
furnish  a  copy  of  his  Calendar  of  these  ecclesiastical  documents 
obtained  by  Brodhead,  for  the  Library  of  the  Collegiate  Church, 
that    renewed    efforts    might    be    initiated    by    that    Church    to 
secure  the  additional  material.      The  Calendar  would  show  what 
documents    were    already    on    hand,    and    avoid    duplication    in 
the  new  efforts.     His  request  was  complied  with,  but  before  the 
copy  was  delivered,  Dr.   Chambers  died.     Correspondence  now 
sprung  up  among  the  remaining  members  of  the  Committee  (Revs. 
D.  D.  Demarest,  E.  T.  Corwin  and  R.  R.  Hoes),  on  this  subject^ 
and  interest  in  it  w^as  revived.    This  led  to  the  calling  of  a  meet- 
ing of  a  number  of  gentlemen  on  June  1,  1896,  to  consider  the 
whole  matter.     This  inaugurated  a  new  enterprise  for  the  procur- 
ing of  this  material.     Meantime  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  M.  Jackson  of 
Xew  York,  Secretary  of  the  American  Church  History  Society^ 
hearing  of  this  movement,  requested  the  ^vriter  to  prepare  a  Paper, 
to  be  read  before  the  Society  in  December,  1896  on  "  THE  AM- 
STERDAM   CORRESPONDE^^CE."      This    was    done.      The 
Paper  was  printed  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Society,  and  five  hun- 
dred copies  separately,  for  private  circulation.     A  report  of  the 
Committee  had  also  been  made,  to  the  Synod  of   1896   (pages 
499,  500,)  which  renewed  the  Synod's  interest  in  the  matter;  and 
circulars  were  issued  about  the  same  time,  asking  for  one  hundred 
dollar  subscriptions,   or,  lesser  amounts,  to  raise  five  thousand 


Introduction.  17 

dollars  to  carry  the  enterprise  of  securing  those  documents  to 
success."* 

Financial  arrangements  having  been  partially  made  by  the  Com- 
mittee having  the  business  in  charge,  the  writer  left  New  York 
on  August  21,  1897,  and  was  safely  located  in  Amsterdam  on 
the  first  day  of  September.  Every  facility  that  could  be  desired 
was  soon  accorded  him  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  which 
received  him  most  courteously.  They  gave  him  the  use  of  their 
large  ministerial  chamber  in  the  Consistory  Building,  erected  in 
one  of  the  angles  of  the  'New  Church  in  Amsterdam,  except  when 
it  was  wanted  for  other  purposes.  Not  only  here  did  he  have 
most  excellent  accommodations,  in  a  large,  well-lighted,  airy-room, 
with  extensive  tables ;  but  they  also  granted  him  as  the  representa- 
tive of  the  American  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  whose  credentials 
he  carried,  free  and  unrestricted  access  to  the  rich  Archives  of  the 
Classis.  He  remained  in  Amsterdam  for  nine  months,  occupied 
daily,  with  few  exceptions,  in  the  duties  undertaken.  The  Synod 
of  North  Holland,  whose  Archives  are  in  the  same  apartments  as 
those  of  the  Classis,  granted  him  similar  privileges.  In  the  early 
part  of  June  he  removed  to  the  Hague,  where  equal  facilities  were 
accorded  him  in  the  Archives  of  the  General  Synod,  which  are 
there  located.  Here  he  remained  for  five  months  in  similar  occu- 
pation, except  a  visit  to  Great  Britain  in  the  month  of  August. 

*  The  pamphlet  above  alluded  to,  "  The  Amsterdam  Correspondence,"  gives  a 
pretty  full  history  of  the  whole  enterprise  down  to  date.  The  Circulars  issued  add 
some  information,  as  well  as  the  Reports  to  the  General  Synod,  1896,  pages  499,  500; 
1897,  pages  774-6;  1898,  pages  250-2;  1899,  pages  572-4.  There  were  also  not  a  few 
Articles  on  the  subject,  about  that  time  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer;  e.  g.  on 
April  1,  1896;  Sept.  29,  1897;  Nov.  17,  1897;  Jan.  5,  1898;  Feb.  23,  1898;  May  25, 
1898;  July,  1898;  together  with  numerous  other  Articles  by  Drs.  Suydam,  Van  Pelt. 
Good;  as  well  as  Editorials  on  the  Subject.  ^ 

•  2 


18 


Introductioi^. 


2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

Vol. 

19, 

u       -^-^        c 

'      1730-1741. 

"  12  ' 

'      1741-1754. 

"  13  ' 

'      1754-1764. 

"  14   ' 

'      1764-1774. 

"  15  ' 

'      1775-1790. 

"  16   ' 

'      1790-1805. 

u       -^^        c 

'      1805-1808. 

"  18  ' 

'      1809-1816. 

The  Minutes  of  the  (Old)  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

The  Acts  of  the  (Old)  Classis  are  contained  in  eighteen  large 
volnnies,  and  extend  from  1582-1816,  as  follo^vs: 

Yol.  1  from  1582-1605.  Yol.   10  from  1715-1730. 

1606-1620. 
1620-1631. 
1631-1645. 
1646-1656.. 
1656-1670. 
1671-1686. 
1686-1701. 
1701-1715. 
Extracts  from  Yols.  6-9  from  1655-1705. 

They  were  generally  very  closely  written,  one  of  their  pages 
making  three  or  four  of  modern  foolscaj),  when  transcribed.  Un- 
til about  1700,  they  were  written  in  the  old  Gothic  chirography, 
a  peculiar  script,  unlike  either  the  German  or  Latin  script. 

The  writer  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  examine  Yolumes  1 
and  2,  as  they  antedated  the  settlement  of  J^ew  York,  but  Yol- 
umes 3  to  18^  were  carefully  examined,  page  by  page,  with 
the  one  object  in  view  of  securing  everything  relating  to  IN'ew 
York  and  !New  Jersey.  References  were  kept  to  every  item  of  this 
kind,  and  transcripts  secured,  amounting  to  three  hundred  and 
eighty-two  pages.  These  Extracts  the  writer  had  bound  in  two 
volumes  with  dates  and  appropriate  titles.  They  cover  a  period 
of  one  hundred  and  seventy-eight  years  from  1632,  the  date  of  the 
examination  of  Domine  Everardus  Bogardus,  until  1810,  when  the 
last  lament  is  recorded,  "  IsTo  news  from  E^ew  York  and  I^ew  Jer- 


»  Vol.  19,  consisting  of  Extracts  relating  to  the  Foreign  churches,  taken  from  Vols. 
6  to  9,  (1655-1705),  was  also  carefully  examined.  Having  been  made  later  in 
another  chirography,  and  no  doubt  for  the  convenience  of  the  Deputies,  it  was  often 
of  great  service  when  the  Gothic  chirography  was  very  difficult  to  read. 


Introduction".  19 

sey."  It  is  believed  tliat  everytMng  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Classis, 
relating  to  the  American  Dutch  Churches,  will  be  found  in  these 
transcripts. 

The  Minutes  of  the  Deputati  Ad  Res  Exteeas. 

The  Minutes  of  the  "  Deputies  of  the  Classis  on  Foreign 
Affairs/'  consists  of  six  folio  volumes,  running,  as  numbered,  from 
twenty  to  twenty  &ve,  and  cover  a  period  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  six  years,  or  from  1639-1804,  as  follows : 

Vol.  20  from  1639-1663. 


"  21  ' 

'      1663-1720. 

"  22  ' 

'      1721-1744. 

"     23  ' 

'      1744-1751-1756.^ 

u     24  ' 

'      1751-1781. 

''     25  ' 

'      1781-1804. 

These  Deputies  were  a  sort  of  Permanent  Executive  Committee 
of  Classis,  having  special  charge  of  the  Colonial  Churches  in  all 
parts  of  the  world.  They  corresponded  not  only  with  the  Ameri- 
can Dutch  and  German  churches,  but  with  those  in  the  West 
Indies,  Guiana  and  Brazil ;  with  those  in  Guiana  and  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope ;  with  those  in  Hindustan,  Ceylon,  Borneo,  Java,  For- 
mosa and  other  islands  of  the  Pacific,  as  well  as  with  Japan;  and 
with  individual  churches  in  several  cities  of  the  Russian  and 
Turkish  Empires,  and  other  parts  of  Europe.  They  provided 
ministers  and  Comforters  of  the  Sick  for  these  churches  or  locali- 
ties; made  various  arrangements,  financial  and  otherwise,  in  their 
behalf,  with  the  Great  Commercial  Companies  doing  business 
with  these  lands;  endeavored  to  settle  difficulties  which  arose; 
gave  advice,  kept  Minutes  of  their  proceedings,  recorded    their 

«  Vol.  23  carries  on  the  Minutes  from  1744-1751,  wtien  tliey  are  continued  in  Vol. 
24.  But  the  Extracts  from  Foreign  letters  found  in  all  these  Minutes,  are  con- 
tinued in  Vol.  23,  down  to  1758;  and  these  are  then  further  continued  in  Vols.  33 
and  34.  Vols.  24  and  25  are  supposed  to  contain  "  Minutes  "  only,  but  some  letters 
have  slipped  in.  i 


20  Introduction". 

letters,  filed  those  received  from  abroad,  made  Extracts  of  the 
same  for  the  information  of  the  Classis,  and  reported  monthly  or 
oftener  thereon.  In  writing  to  the  churches  abroad,  they  acted 
under  general  or  specific  instructions  in  each  case.  Their  Minutes 
exhibited  the  same  multitudinous  variety  of  subjects  as  those  of 
the  Classis,  and  until  about  1700  the  same  peculiar  Gothic 
chirography.  The  writing  is  extremely  compact,  yet  perfectly 
clear,  although  difiicult  to  read. 


The  Correspondence  Between  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam 

AND  THE  Colonial  Churches. 

The  Minutes  of  the  Classis  and  of  the  Deputies  constantly 
allude  to  the  Correspondence.  The  letters  to  the  Colonies  were 
prepared  by  the  Deputies,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Classis. 
The  Deputies  also  received  all  letters  from  abroad,  and  reported 
them  to  the  Classis.  This  Correspondence  was  maintained  mth 
about  a  score  of  places  in  the  East  and  West  Indies. 

The  Letters  of  the  Classis  to  the  Foreign  Churches. 

There  are  now  seven  volumes  of  such  letters  in  the  Old  Ar- 
chives, which  are  numbered  from  26-32  and  run  from  1648-1804,. 
as  follows:''' 

Vol.  26  from  1648-1655. 


a 

27 

1666-1700. 

28 

1701-1726. 

a 

29 

1727-1743. 

a 

30 

1743-1753. 

a 

31 

1753-1779. 

u 

32 

1780-1804. 

^  Between   1714-1726  very  few   documents  or   letters   are   found.     There  are  alsa 
several  smaller  gaps. 


Introduction.  21 

These  volumes  contain  many  hundreds  of  letters.  An  odd 
volume,  39  (1636-1648),  constitutes,  in  certain  respects,  a  pre- 
liminary volume  to  this  set,  as  well  as  to  the  volumes  of  Minutes 
of  the  Deputies.  There  was  once,  another  volume,  still  earlier 
than  39,  ending  in  1635,  according  to  the  ^'  Inventory ",  (or 
Catalogue)  but  which  is  damaged  to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  use- 
less. The  injury  to  this  volume  must  have  occurred  before  1816, 
as  it  was  not  numbered,  when  the  other  volumes  were  numbered. 
Vol.  26,  the  first  of  this  set,  as  now  numbered,  runs  from  1648- 
1655,  when  an  hiatus  occurs  of  about  eleven  years,  suggesting 
lanother  lost  volume,  but  to  which  no  allusion  is  made  in  the 
^^  Inventory  ".  The  other  volumes  of  Correspondence,  Nos.  27-32, 
run  without  break  from  1666-1804.  Vol.  28,  of  this  set,  is  said 
in  the  "  Inventory ''  to  be  lost;  but  there  is  now  a  volume  in  the 
Archives,  quite  dilapidated,  apparently  unnumbered,  and  which 
just  fills  in  the  gap,  and  is,  no  doubt,  the  once  lost  volume  28. 
Vols.  30,  31  and  32,  are  designated  on  their  covers,  respectively 
as  ^'Copy-book,  Part  I";  ^^  Copy-book,  Part  II'';  "Copy-book, 
Part  III '' ;  this  word  being  used  in  the  sense  of  a  volume  in  which 
letters  are  copied  or  recorded. 

Vol.  30  Copy-book,  Part  I;       Letters  1-136. 
"      31      "         "         "     II;         "         1-314. 
"      32      "         "         "     III;       "         1-95,    the    balance    of 
the  letters  being  unnumbered. 


Now  it  was  from  these  seven  volumes  of  Correspondence,  Nos. 
26-32,  that  most  of  the  material  obtained  by  Brodhead  in  1841-4, 
was  secured.  The  nine  hundred  pages  then  obtained  have  already 
been  referred  to  in  this  Report. 


The  searchers  employed  by  Brodhead  do  not  seem  to  have  eX' 
amined  the  Minutes  of  the  Classis  at  all;  to  have  made  a  very 


22  Introduction. 

cursory  examination  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Deputies,  and  to  have 
done  nothing  with  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  N^orth  Holland. 
They  seem  to  have  supposed  that  the  transcription  of  the  items 
in  the  Correspondence  would  sufficiently  cover  everything. 
Neither  did  they  examine  the  odd  volume,  l^o.  39.  If  they  had 
examined  the  Minutes  of  the  Classis,  and  Vol.  39,  they  could  not 
well  have  missed  the  references  to  Michaelius  and  Bogardus 
which  are  contained  therein.  But  Michaelius  was  yet  utterly  un- 
known to  Brodhead  when  he  published  the  first  edition  of  Vol.  I. 
of  his  history  of  ISTew  York  in  1853,  twelve  years  after  these 
searches;  and  indeed  the  items  in  these  volumes  were  not  dis- 
covered, until  after  the  discovery  of  the  famous  Michaelius  letter 
in  1857.  This  led  to  an  examination,  under  the  auspices  of  Hon. 
Henry  C.  Murphy,  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Classis  and  the  Deputies, 
and  brought  to  light  the  few  references  therein,  to  Michaelius.^ 

We  may  now  be  reasonably  sure  that  we  have  all  the  material 
written  by  the  Classis  to  our  churches,  so  far  as  it  now  exists  in 
their  Archives ;  part  of  it  being  in  the  bound  volume  of  nine  hun- 
dred pages  in  the  ^ew  Brunswick  Archives,  and  part  being  in 
the  present  collection.  These  two  lots  are  intermingled  in  this 
publication.  • 

The  Letters  of  the  Foreign  Churches  to  the  Ceassis. 

The  Classis  has  many  thousands  of  such  letters  on  file,  at  pres- 
ent arranged  in  twenty  five  large  Portfolios,  with  titles  accord- 
ing to  the  countries  from  which  they  came.  The  present  Classifi- 
cation, the  writer  was  informed,  was  made  about  1880,  by  Drs. 
Rogge  and  Scheltema,  at  the  request  of  the  Classis.  There  are 
now  four  Portfolios  containing  letters  from  the  East  Indies;  three 
containing  letters  from  Ceylon;  seven  from  the  West  Indies;  two 
from  Curacoa  and  Surinam;  one  from  the  smaller  islands  of  the 
West  Indies;  two  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope;  three  from  ITorth 

•  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  759. 


IlS'TRODTJCTION-.  23 

America,  of  which  two  contain  letters  from  'New  York  and  ISTew 
Jersey  being  the  residue  of  those  not  found  in  1842;  and  one  from 
Pennsylvania;  while  one  Portfolio  contains  letters  of  a  miscel- 
laneous kind. 

If  this  classification  had  existed  in  1842,  we  would,  no  doubt, 
have  received,  at  that  time,  the  loan  of  the  entire  collection  of 
letters  written  in  America;  but  only  about  one  half  were  then 
placed  in  Mr.  Brodhead's  hands.  But  the  belief,  excited  by  the 
construction  of  the  writer's  Calendar  in  1875,  that  there  must  be 
a  large  additional  number  of  letters  in  existence,  and  the  actual 
discovery  of  the  same  by  Chaplain  Hoes,  in  1885,  owing  to  the 
new  classification  of  all  the  filed  letters  in  1880,  led,  ultimately, 
as  we  have  seen,  to  the  enterprise  of  sending  the  writer  to  Hol- 
land in  1897,  for  a  new  search,  and  the  acquisition  of  copies  of 
this  new  material.  Among  the  first  things  which  he  did  upon 
reaching  Amsterdam,  was  carefully  to  examine  the  two  port- 
folios of  letters  from  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  in  the  very  hand 
writing  of  the  early  Homines,  and  compare  their  titles  and  dates 
with  his  Calendar  of  similar  letters  already  prepared.  While 
there  were  a  few  duplicates,  about  ninety  per  cent  of  them  were 
new  material,  and  were  needed,  to  complete  our  collection.  Tran- 
scribers were  at  once  set  to  work,  and  the  results  are  exhibited 
in  four  large  volumes  of  transcriptions,  making  about  a  thousand 
pages. 

These  transcriptions  are  thus  arranged: 

Vol.  I.  1700-1730. 
"  II.  1731-1750. 
"  III.  1751-1754. 
IV.   1755-1788; 


(C 


but  these  do  not  include  the  American  letters  obtained  by  Brod- 
head  in  1842.  The  two  lots  are  to  be  commingled  in  this  publi- 
cation. 


24  Introduction. 

This  new  material  is  all  between  1700  and  1800.  Among  these 
letters  and  documents  are  recovered  the  lost  Minutes  of  several 
sessions  of  the  Coetus,  or  early  American  Classis,  subsequent 
to  1754,  representing  some  of  the  most  important  Acts  of  that 
body  in  connection  with  the  assumption  of  independence  by  the 
Dutch  Church.  But  we  are  sarry  to  say  that  the  Minutes  of  sev- 
eral sessions  of  that  body  are  still  missing,  but  all  the  facts  are 
probably  covered  by  the  Correspondence  of  the  period.  There  are 
also  several  lengthy  and  important  papers  among  the  documents 
now  recovered,  upon  special  local,  or  personal  themes,  which  will 
clear  up  not  a  few  obscure  points  in  the  history  of  the  last  century. 
We  cannot  here  refer  to  these  documents  in  detail.  These  new 
found  documents  are  about  three  hundred  and  twelve  in  number, 
often  with  other  documents  appended.^ 

The  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  I^orth  Holland. 

The  Minutes  of  this  Synod  begin  as  far  back  as  1572,  ten  years 
before  those  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  reaching  into  the  very 
days  of  Spanish  tyranny.  The  Minutes  of  all  the  Particular 
Synods  of  the  jSTorthern  ^NTetherlands  from  1572-1620,  have  re- 
cently been  collected  together  and  printed,  in  eight  volumes. 
This  publication  is  very  valuable,  and  although  antedating  the 
settlement  of  'New  York,  contains  much  matter  of  great  historical 
interest  to  Americans.  A  set  of  these  Minutes  was  purchased  for 
the  Collegiate  Church  of  N'ew  York.  There  is  also  a  set  of  the 
same  in  the  Sage  Library  at  I^ew  Bnmswick,  ]^.  J.-*^^ 

•  These  appended  documents  are  called  "  Bylagen  ",  meaning  Attached  Documents, 
Supplements  or  Appendix-es. 

"  This  publication  is  edited  by  Reitsma  and  Van  Veen,  and  was  printed  by 
Wolters  of  Groningen.  The  first  volume  was  issued  in  1891,  and  the  eighth  appeared 
in  1899.  From  1608-1618,  the  Synod  of  North  Holland  did  not  hold  any  sessions,  on 
account  of  the  civil  and  theological  troubles  then  developing,  and  which  led  to  the 
holding  of  the  National  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19.  At  the  close  of  the  Minutes  of  1608, 
occurs  a  Latin  note,  which  reads  as  follows:  "  From  this  time,  1608,  until  the  year 
of  our  Lord,  1618,  the  Annual  Synodical  Assembly  could  not  be  held,  according  to 
Its  wonted  custom,  on  account  of  the  excessive  troubles,  with  the  dissensions  in  the 
Church.  At  the  restoration  of  ecclesiastical  and  civil  order,  a  Provincial  Synod  was 
legally  held,  and  afterward  a  National  Synod,  as  convoked  by  public  authority.  In 
the  year  1618." 


Introduction.  25 

The  writer  began  his  examination  of  the  Minutes  of  the  North 
Holland  Synod  with  the  year  1621.  His  researches  in  this  field 
were  carried  on  partly  at  the  Hague.  All  the  volumes  were  care- 
fidly  examined  between  1621  and  1810,  covering  a  period  of  one 
hundred  and  ninety  years.  The  examinations  and  departures 
of  the  ministers  (to  the  Colonies)  are  quite  regularly  reported 
therein.  Brief  extracts  from  the  letters  from  the  Colonies,  includ- 
ing, of  course,  New  Netherland,  are  also  quite  generally  given. 


The  writer  was  pleased  to  find  the  name  of  Jonas  Michaelius 
our  first  American  Minister,  1628,  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod 
of  North  Holland,  in  the  year  1621  and  1624.  On  the  first 
occasion  he  is  mentioned  as  a  delegate  from  the  Claseis  of  Enk- 
huysen,  to  the  Synod,  coming  from  the  Church  of  Hem,  a  little 
hamlet  near  the  city  of  Hoorn;  and  in  the  second  instance,  as 
being  dismissed  from  Hem,  by  the  same  Classis,  in  order  to  go 
to  San  Salvador,  in  Brazil;  but  strange  to  say,  no  further  refer- 
ences to  him  are  found  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  North 
Holland,  although  he  was  probably  sent  by  the  same  Classis  of 
Enkhuysen  to  New  York,  and  which  should  have  been  reported 
to  this  Synod,  in  1628  or  1629.  The  records  of  the  Classis  of 
Enkhuysen  were  burned  in  1838,  in  a  fire  which  consumed  the 
Groote  Kerk  there,  and  hence  we  could  not  examine  into  the 
matter  from  that  source. 


The  transcriptions  from  these  Synodical  Minutes  amount  to 
about  fourteen  hundred  pages,  and  are  bound  in  five  volumes, 
which  are  properly  "  titled  ''  and  ^^  dated  ^\^^ 

"  These  transcriptionB  are  as  follows: 
Vol.       I.  1621-1642. 
II.  1643-1666, 
"      III.  1667-1683. 
"       IV.  1684-1729. 
V.  1730-1810. 
But  much  of  the  material  secured  from  these  Synodical  Minutes,  of  interest  in  a 
general  way,  the  writer  did  not  feel  warranted  to  put  among  the  material  published 
by  the  State. 


26  introduction. 

The  Archives  of  the  General  Synod. 

It  is  proper  here  to  say  a  few  words,  in  passing,  about  the 
Archives  of  the  GENEKAL  SYi^TOD  of  the  Church  of  the 
Netherlands.  Their  General  Synod  as  a  distinct  body,  dates  back 
only  to  1816.  With  the  Minutes  of  this  body,^^  ^j^^g  i^gport  has  no 
special  interest,  as  they  do  not  reach  back  to  the  Colonial  Period. 
But  the  Archives  of  the  General  Synod  contain  a  unique  collec- 
tion of  records  and  documents,  and  are  the  most  extensive  Eccle- 
siastical Archives  in  the  country.  They  are  located  in  the 
"  Synodical  Building  "  at  100  Java  street,  in  the  Hague.  The 
older  records  are  kept  in  two  very  large  iron  safes,  on  the  lower 
floor.  Therein  are  found  the  original  Minutes  of  those  six  early 
Synodical  Conventions  from  1568-1586,^^  which  formulated  the 
government  of  the  Dutch  Church,  and  also  adopted  its  standards 
— '  the  Belgic  Confession  and  the  Heidelberg  Catechism.  Here 
are  also  the  original  Minutes  of  the  great  and  famous  Synod  of 
Dort,  1618-19,  in  nineteen  large  volumes.-'-^  They  are  in  the 
Latin  language,  and  after  two  hundred  and  seventy  years,  are  yet 
in  a  perfect  state  of  preservation,  the  ink  being  just  as  black  as  if 
written  yesterday.  Here  are  to  be  seen  the  original  signatures 
of  all  the  delegates  from  most  of  the  countries  of  Europe.  All 
these  signatures  are  repeated  five  times,  as  they  are  subscribed 
separately,  to  each  of  the  five  Heads  of  Doctrine  involved;  and 
each  set  of  signatures  occupies  five  pages.  The  writer  also  had 
photographic  copies  of  these  signatures  taken.-*^^     Here  are  also 

"  These  Minutes  have  been  regularly  printed  since  1816,  and  a  set  of  them  is  to 
be  found  in  the  Sage  Library  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

"  Of  Wesel,  1568;  of  Embden,  1571;  of  Dordrecht,  1574  and  1578;  of  Middleburg, 
1581;  and  of  the  Hague,  1586.  These  have  been  printed  in  the  "  Groot  Plakaat 
Boek  "  and  the  "  Kerkelyk  Plakaat  Boek  ",  and  in  many  other  editions,  but  never 
yet,  in  full,  in  English. 

"  All  the  business  of  this  Synod,  which  lasted  for  six  months,  was  conducted  in 
Latin.  Latin  and  Dutch  editions  of  the  proceedings  were  soon  issued;  but,  perhaps, 
only  one  Latin  edition  of  the  "  Post- Acta  "  was  ever  published,  and  hence,  prob- 
ably, its  scarcity.  But  the  Latin  being  the  original,  and,  therefore,  especially 
desirable,  photographic  copies  of  the  original  sixty-four  pages  were  secured. 

"  Since  writing  the  above,  the  Post-Acta  in  both  Latin  and  Dutch,   in  parallel 


Introductioit.  27 

the  original  Minutes  and  isTotes  of  tlie  Translators  of  the  Dutch 
Bible  of  1637,  filling  many  volumes.  These  Archives  also  con- 
tain manuscript  sets  of  the  Minutes  of  each  of  the  Particular 
Synods  of  Holland, —  of  Gelderland,  Friesland,  Overyssel,  Gron- 
ingen,  Utrecht,  South  Holland  and  l^orth  Holland,  with  many 
individual  duplicate  volumes.  The  Minutes  of  the  old  Classis 
of  Delft,  in  seven  volumes,  are  also  here,  and  perhaps  those  of 
other  Classes.  The  loose  documents  belonging  to  the  Synod  of 
South  Holland,  (whose  Archives  are  also  here),  are  very  numer- 
ous, among  which  are  many  documents  relating  to  Pennsylvania. 
There  are  very  few  papers  here  relating  to  ^N'ew  York,  as  their 
Correspondence  was  almost  exclusively  with  the  Classis  of  Ajnster- 
dam,  and  the  Synod  of  North  Holland.  Here  is  also  a  set  of 
the  Great  Edict  Book,  (Groot  Plakaat  Boek),  of  the  States-Gen- 
eral, containing  all  the  Edicts,  civil  and  ecclesiastical,-'-^  for  about 
two  centuries.  This  work  is  printed  in  seven  huge  volumes. 
The  Edicts  relating  especially  to  the  Church  have  also  been 
collected  out  of  this  great  work,  and  are  found  in  the  "  Eccle- 
siastical Edict  Book ''  (Kerckelyke  Plakaat  Boek),  which  is 
printed  in  four  smaller  volumes.-*^"^     Here  are  also  countless  docu- 

columns,  have  been  issued  by  Dr.  H.  H,  Kuyper,  in  one  volume  of  five  hundred  and 
thirty  pages,  octavo,  under  the  following  title: 

"  De  Post-Acta  of  Nahandelingen  van  de  Nationale  Synode  van  Dordrecht  In  1618 
en  1619  Gehouden,  naar  den  authentieken  tekst  in  het  Latyn  en  Nederlandsch' 
uitgegeven  en  met  toelichtingen  voorzien,  voorafgegaan  door  De  Geschiedenis  van  de 
Acta,  de  Autographa  en  de  Post-Acta  dier  Synode  en  Gevolgd  door  de  Geschiedenia 
van  de  Revisie  der  Belydeniddchriften  en  der  Liturgie  benevens  de  Volledige  Lyst 
der  Gravamina  op  de  Dordtsche  Synode  ingediend  Een  Historische  Studie  door  Dr. 
H.  H.  Kuyper,  Bedienaar  des  Woords  te  Leeuwarden.  Boekhandel,  voorheen 
Hovoker  en  Wormser.     Amsterdam.     Pretoria  ". 

Or:  "  The  Post-Acta,  or  After- Acta  of  the  National  Synod  of  Dort,  held  In  1618-19 
published  according  to  the  authentic  text  of  the  Latin  and  Dutch,  and  provided  with 
explanations;  preceded  by  the  history  of  the  Acts,  the  Autographs  and  the  Post- 
Acta  of  this  Synod,  and  followed  by  the  History  of  the  Revision  of  the  Confession 
of  Faith  and  the  Liturgy;  together  with  a  complete  list  of  the  Gravamina  presented 
at  the  Synod  of  Dort.  A  Historical  Study  by  Dr.  H.  H.  Kuyper,  Minister  of  the 
Word  at  Leewarden.    Hoveker  and  Wormser.    Amsterdam  and  Pretoria."     (1899), 

"  Even  all  the  doctrinal  parts  of  the  Synod  of  Dort  are  in  full  In  this  Groot 
Plakaat  Boek,  with  the  names  of  the  delegates.  There  is  a  copy  of  this  work  in  the 
New  York  State  Library;  in  the  Sage  Library  at  New  Brunswick,.  N.  J.,  and  a  copy 
is  owned  by  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin.  The  copy  in  State  Library  was  secured  by  Brod- 
head.    See  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  27. 

"  A  copy  of  this  work  was  bought  for  the  Collegiate  Church  of  New  York.  The 
Sage  Library  has  only  the  first  two  volumes. 


28  Introduction. 

ments  relating  to  the  Colonial  Churches  in  all  parte  of  the  world. 
A  printed  Catalogue  of  these  Archives,  called  the  Old  Sjnodical 
Archives,  (Oud  Synodaal  Archief)  was  prepared  by  H.  Q.  Jans- 
sen,  1876,  containing  one  hundred  and  ninety  six  pages,  several 
copies  of  which  were  secured.  One  was  given  to  the  Library  of  the 
Collegiate  Church,  New  York;  one  to  the  Sage  Library,  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J. ;  one  to  the  Library  of  Theological  Seminary, 
Holland,  Mich. ;  one  to  State  Library,  New  York ;  and  the  writer 
has  one. 

Limitations  in  these  Researches. 

It  was  impossible,  under  limitations  of  time  and  means,  to  make 
more  extensive  researches  in  these  several  Archives. 

As  the  Svnods  communicated  their  business  to  one  another, 
corroborations  of  the  facts  of  our  American  history  would,  more 
or  less  fully,  be  found,  and  occasionally  additional  facts  might 
have  been  secured,  by  such  examinations.-^^  If  circumstances  had 
permitted,  items  of  interest  might  have  been  looked  up  also  at 
the  birth-places,  or  settlements  of  the  early  Dutch  ministers,  as  the 
Church  records  are,  generally,  very  complete.  The  General  Cata- 
logues of  the  Universities  indicate  the  ages,  residences,  depart- 
ments of  study  and  other  particulars,  of  nearly  all  of  the  early 
Dutch  ministers. -^^ 

The  writer  had  also  intended  to  visit  the  to^vn  of  Hem,  near 
Hoorn,  to  trv  to  discover  additional  facts  from  the  church  there, 
about  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius,  who  was  settled  there  from  1614- 
1624,  when  he  went  to  Brazil;  but  sad  to  say,  the  records  of  this 

^*  E.  g.  The  Coetus  of  Pennsylvania  reported  quite  fully  to  the  Synod  of  South 
Holland  the  overtures  for  union  made  to  them  by  the  Coetus  of  New  York,  1763-1770. 
The  Synod  of  South  Holland  seems  to  have  as  much,  if  not  more  material,  relating^ 
to  Pennsylvania,  than  the  Synod  of  North  Holland  and  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
This  has  been  obtained  by  Rev.  Dr.  James  I.  Good,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  and  Prof. 
Hinke,  of  Philadelphia. 

"  The  General  Catalogue  is  styled,  "  Album  Studiosorum  "  

Many  facts  as  to  the  places  from  which  these  ministers  came,  their  ages,  the  de- 
partments of  study  —  medicine,  jurisprudence,  or  theology  —  will  be  found  in  these 
Alba  Studiosorum.  Those  of  Leyden  and  Utrecht  were  purchased  for  the  Collegiate 
Church.    That  of  Groningen  is  owned  by  the  writer. 


Introduction.  29 

Church  were  burned  up  during  his  first  week's  residence  in  Amster- 
dam, September,  1897.  This  shows  the  importance  of  collecting 
documents  relating  to  America  while  it  is  possible. 

References  to  Other  Items  of  Interest  to  the  German 

Churches  in  Pennsylvania. 

In  going  over  the  volumes  of  the  Olassis  of  Amsterdam  and 
of  its  Deputies,  references  were  kept  to  all  items  relating  to  the 
German  Churches  in  the  United  States,  not  only  because  of  their 
own  importance  to  our  American  Church  History,  but  because 
of  their  many  interlinked  relations  with  the  Dutch  Churches  of 
'New  York  and  New  Jersey.  Before  The  Revolution  there  were 
about  twenty  German  Churches  in  these  two  States ;  and  not  a 
few  German  ministers  went  back  and  forth  between  these  New 
York  churches  and  those  of  Pennsylvania.  Transcriptions  were, 
therefore,  secured,  of  items  relating  especially  to  the  ISTew  York 
and  New  Jersey  German  churches  of  that  period,  while  references 
were  kept  to  the  other  items  referred  to. 

General  Worth  of  the  Material  Obtained. 

To  the  historian  original  documents  are  invaluable.  The 
transcriptions  now  secured  constitute  the  fundamental  facts  of 
the  ecclesiastical  history  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  About 
three-fourths  of  these  documents  relate  to  New  York  and  one- 
fourth  to  New  Jersey,  but  they  cannot  very  well  be  separated, 
and  ought  not  to  be.  They  represent  much  of  the  social  history 
of  colonial  times,  although  they  of  course  relate  chiefly  to  the 
religious  history.  There  are  also  not  a  few  allusions  to  civil  mat- 
ters, which  cannot  fail  to  be  of  interest  in  the  General  Civil  His- 
tory of  these  States.  Indeed,  the  social,  civil  and  religious  his- 
tories in  colonial  times  were  so  closely  blended  that  they  cannot 
be  altogether  divided.  This  fact  abundantly  appears  in  the 
Documentary  History  of  New  York,  and  in  the  Colonial  Docu- 


30  Introduction. 

ments  of  the  same  State.  The  same  also  appears  in  the  similar 
set  of  volumes  styled  "  The  Archives  of  l^ew  Jersey  ".  The  gen- 
eral tone  of  the  docimients  obtained  also  gives  a  true  and  living 
picture  of  the  religious  life  of  Holland  during  the  seventeenth 
and  eighteenth  centuries.  They  show  a  genuine  spirit  of  piety, 
and  great  zeal  to  promote  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  Colonial 
churches.  The  labor  involved  in  the  care  of  the  many  Colonial 
churches,  by  this  Classis,  scattered  all  over  the  world,  seems 
almost  incredible.  A  general  spirit  of  fraternity  also  existed  with 
all  the  neighboring  churches  —  those  of  Smtzerland,  Germany, 
Poland,  France  and  England.  There  is  a  standing  Article  in  the 
Minutes,  for  several  generations,  on  "  Oppressed  Churches  ''  and 
"  Sufferers  on  the  Galleys."  There  is  an  unceasing  stream  of 
"  love  gifts  '\  received  and  bestowed,  on  needy  churches  and 
individuals.  Indeed,  as  early  as  1643-48,  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam sent  no  less  than  ten  thousand  dollars  (no  small  sum  in  those 
days),  to  Ireland,  to  relieve  the  distress  in  that  country,  after  the 
desolating  wars  of  those  times.  Also  provinces  which  had  been 
inundated  always  called  out  the  gifts  of  the  churches.  Money 
was  annually  sent  to  Pennsylvania,  to  assist  the  Germans  there, 
for  two  full  generations,  1728-1792. 

There  are  also  constant  allusions,  in  this  Correspondence,  to 
other  denominations  in  America,  especially  to  the  Presbyterians 
from  1740  onward.  Allusions  to  the  Church  of  England  are  not 
infrequent.  The  influence  of  the  Dutch  in  resisting  the  Estab- 
lishment of  the  English  Church,  which  did  not  represent  a  tenth 
of  the  inhabitants,  will  receive  much  additional  light  from  these 
documents;  as  well  as  the  general  influence  of  the  Dutch  in  pre- 
paring the  way  for  the  entire  separation  of  Church  and  State. 
What  the  "  Documentary  History  of  'New  York ",  and  the 
"  Documents  Relating  to  the  Colonial  History  of  New  York  ", 
have  been  for  the  study  of  the  civil  history,  including  mueh  of 
the  ecclesiastical;  the  same  will  these  "  Original  Ecclesiastical 


Iiq^TKODUCTION.  31 

Dociunents ''  be,  for  the  study  of  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  the 
State,  including  also  much  of  the  civil  history.  Their  worth  to 
local  church  histories  will  also  be  very  great. 

Incorpoeation  of  Other  Material. 

It  was  thought  wise,  finally,  in  such  a  collection,  embracing 
so  large  a  proportion  of  the  ecclesiastical  documents  of  Colonial 
times,  to  incorporate  also  some  other  important  papers,  such  as 
church-charters,  the  legal  phraseology  of  which  becomes  more 
liberal  with  the  growing  century;  also  the  repeated  applications 
for  Charters  by  congregations  of  other  denominations  besides 
those  of  the  Heformed  Dutch  Church  and  the  Episcopalians,  but 
which  were  never  granted;  also  the  three  college  charters  of  New 
York  and  ISTew  Jersey  of  the  Colonial  period.  These  are  those  of 
the  College  of  'New  Jersey  (now  at  Princeton),  1746;  Kings 
(Columbia)  College,  N'ew  York  City,  1753;  Queens  (Rutgers)  Col- 
lege, New  Brunswick,  1766  and  1770.  Occasionally,  also,  church 
calls,  with  their  varying  forms  of  phraseology  according  to  the 
periods  and  the  struggles  of  the  times,  have  been  included;  also 
certain  civil  legislation,  bearing  on  the  churches,  as  well  as  certain 
judicial  decisions  relating  to  the  same,  anticipating  the  dawn  of 
full  religious  liberty  ;^^  or  where  this  was  found  to  be  imprac- 
ticable, at  least  an  abstract  of  such  facts,  with  references  to  the 
documents,  have  been  inserted  at  the  proper  points.  It  adds  but 
little  to  the  bulk  of  the  work,  to  include  the  documents  from  all 
denominations,  or  at  least  abstracts  and  references  to  the  same. 
This  also  adds  greatly  to  the  value  of  the  work,  making  it  more 
unique  and  complete  as  "  Original  Documents  Helatiug  to  all  the 
Religious  Bodies  of  Colonial  Times  in  ISTew  York  and  New 
Jersey " ;  for  these  two  provinces  were  generally  under  one 
Governor. 


**  Certain  ecclesiastical  edicts  in  Holland  and  England  would  aleo  throw  further 
light  on  American  Church  hiatorj.  , 


Acts  of  the  Synod  of  JS^orth  HollaintDj  at  Haarlem.  1621 

1621,  Aug.  24  et  seq. 

Transactions  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  ^orth  Holland,  held  in 
the  city  of  Haarlem,  Anno,  1621,  on  August  24  and  follow- 
ing days. 

After  the  Brethren,  delegated  by  the  Classes  belonging  to  the 
Synod  of  ISTorth  Holland,  appeared,  the  Kev.  Henricus  Gees- 
teranus  began  the  meeting  by  calling  on  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
Afterwards  the  credentials  of  the  aforesaid  delegates  were  opened 
and  read,  and  unanimously  approved  by  the  Assembly.  It  was 
found  that  the  following  Ministers  and  Elders  had  been  delegated 
to  this  Synod: 

(We  give  the  names  of  the  delegates  to  this  Synod  of  x^orth 
Holland  for  1621,  in  full,  because  Rev.  Jonas  IVLichaelius,  sub- 
sequently, 1628,  the  first  llinister  at  I^ew  York,  was  among  them.) 

From  (Classis  of)  Haarlem. 

Eev.  Henricus  Geesteranus,  of  Haerlem. 
Rev.  John  Junius,  Minister  at  Assendelft. 
Cornelius  Cornelisse,  Elder  of  Haerlem. 
Aert  Jansse,  Elder  of  East  Laenen. 

From  (Classis  of)  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  John  La  Maire,  Minister  at  Amsterdam. 
Rev.  Hermanns  Busschovius,  Minister  at  Weesp. 
Dirck  Gerritze,  Elder  at  Amsterdam. 
Peter  Cornelisse,  Elder  at  Sloterdvk. 
3  33 


34  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1621 

From  (Classis  of)  Hoorn. 

Eey.  Rippertiis  Sirtus,  Minister  at  Hoorn. 
Rev.  Antlionius  Hansonis,  Minister  at  Twisch. 
Peter  ^Villemse,  Elder  at  Hoorn. 
Claes  Jansse,  Elder  at  Houwaert. 

Erom  (Classis  of)  Enkhuysen. 

Rev.  Abraham  a  Doreslaer,  Minister  at  Enkliiiysen. 
REY.  JOIS^AS  J0HA:N^^^IS^  MICHAELIUS.t  Minister  at  Hem. 
John  Francisci  (Fransse)  Hooman,  Elder  at  Enkhuysen. 
Bartholomew  Martensse,  Elder  at  Medemblik. 

Erom  (Classis  of)  Edam. 

Rev.  Jacobus  de  Eoo,  Minister  at  Edam. 
Rev.  Bemardns  Jaitz,  Minister  at  Ziiider  Horn. 
Simon  Pietersse,  Elder  at  Edam. 
Henry  Dirxe,  Elder  at  Parmerend. 

Erom  (Classis  of)  Alkmaar. 

Rev.  William  Xicolay  Somer,  Minister  at  Alkmaar. 
Rev.  Gnalterns  Adriani,  Minister  at  Graft  and  Ryp. 
Barck  Cornelisse  Achagen,  Elder  at  Alkmaar. 
Claes  Cornelisse,  Elder  at  Schagen. 

Note  on  the  Village  of  Hem,  where  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius  first 

settled,  1614-1624. 

Hem,  the  town  and  church  v/here  the  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius 
ministered  from  1614-1624,  when  he  went  to  San  Salvador  in 
Brazil,  and  in  1623  became  the  first  Dutch  minister  in  New  Am- 
sterdam, (New  York,)  is  thus  described  in  Yan  der  Aa's  Geo- 
graphical Gazetteer,  1644. 

*  Johannis  here  is  in  genitive  case,  and  is  the  name  of  the  Father  of  Jonas. 
t  The  name  of  Michaelius  does  not  occur  again  in  the  Minutes  of  this  session. 


OF  THE  State  of  ^N'ew  York.  35 

1621 

Village  and  Chiirch  of  Hem. 

Hem,  village  in  Dregterland,  Province  of  Nortk  Holland,  a 
court  circuit,  and  two  hours  W.  S.  W.  from  Enkhuizen,  a  subdi- 
vision of  the  community  (gemeente)  of  ^^  Yenhuizen-and-Hem '' ; 
a  half  hour  W.  of  Yenhuizen,  on  the  so  called  Short  Stretch 
(Korte-Streek).  It  is  estimated  that  there  are  within  the  bounds 
(kom)  of  the  village,  one  hundred  houses,  and  six  hundred  and 
thirty  inhabitants.  These  mostly  gain  their  subsistence  by  agri- 
culture and  cattle  raising. 

The  Reformed,  who  are  here  fully  five  hundred  in  number,  and 
among  whom  are  one  hundred  and  sixty  communicants,  consti- 
tute a  congregation  which  belongs  to  the  Classis  of  Hoorn,  and 
the  subdivision  (ring)  of  Enkhuizen.*  The  first  one  to  exercise 
here  the  duties  of  a  minister,  was  Sybrand  Yomelius,  who  came 
here  in  the  year  1573,  and  died  or  left  in  the  year  1580.  The 
Church,  (or  living),  which  before  the  Reformation,  was  dedicated 
to  the  Holy  Evangelist  Luke,  was  at  that  time  subject  to  the  gift 
of  the  Counts;  the  "Investiture''  was  made  by  the  Provost 
(Proost)  of  West  Friesland.  The  "  living  "  (pastorij)  amounted 
altogether  to  50  Rhenish  guilders  (75  Dutch  guilders,  or  $30.) 
It  then  possessed  no  house  for  the  pastor,  but  it  had  seven  mor- 
gen  (fourteen  acres)  of  land.  For  the  sexton's  support  (lit.  sex- 
tonship)  there  were  three  morgen  (six  acres)  of  land.  The 
church  is  an  ancient  cruciform  structure,  in  which  at  the  base 
much  duifsteen  (gravelly,  porous  stone)  may  still  be  seen.  The 
tower  is  square,  with  an  octagonal  steeple,  rather  high.  There 
is  no  organ  in  the  church.     The  call  is  made  by  the  Consistory. 

The  Roman  Catholics  of  whom  there  are  found  to  be  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty,  belong  to  the  Stat,  (station?)  of  Hem-and- Yen- 
huizen, which  had  a  church  here  dedicated  in  early  times  to  Saint 
Luke.     This  was  abandoned  in  the  year  1835. 


•  In  1785  and  1793,  Hem  and  Venhuizen  were  separate  churches,  and  reckoned 
under  the  Classis  of  Enkhuizen.  Several  other  of  the  early  Dutch  ministers  of  New 
York  were  previously  or  subsequently  pastors  at  Hem;  for  example,  Rev.  Samuel 
Megapolensis  and  Rev.  William  Nieuwenhnysen,  etc 


1622 


36  Ecclesiastical  Records 

The  baptismal  sciiool  (doop  school  —  parochial  school?)  is  at- 
tended, on  the  average,  by  about  one  hundred  pupils. 

In  the  year  1387  Ham-and-Venhuizen  leased  their  own  fishery 
from  the  Count.  According  to  charter  by  Duke  William  of 
Bavaria  (Count  William  II)  under  date  of  February  2,  1413, 
Hem,  in  union  with  Venhuizen,  was  elevated  into  a  city,  under  the 
designation  of  the  "  City  of  Hem  ",  whereby  were  determined  its 
Citizen  rights,  Magistracy,  Government,  etc.  In  1492,  the  fine 
imposed  upon  it  on  account  of  the  Cheese  and  Bread  Rebellion 
(an  agrarian  insurrection)  was  lightened  one  third.  In  1508 
there  arose  a  fierce  dispute  between  them  and  Wydeness  about  a 
road,  stretching  from  the  Blokdyke  to  the  Meeu  Road,  which  was 
arbitrated  by  Enkhuizen.  In  1508  the  people  of  Hem  cooperated 
as  a  labor  of  love  in  the  fortifying  of  the  city  of  Hoorn.  The 
rulers  (regenten)  in  the  year  1741,  bought  up  (hebben  afgekocht) 
the  manorial  rights,  (ambachtsheerlijkheid),  bo  that  now  it  is  no 
longer  a  manor,  (heerlijkheid.) 

Erom  the  '^  Aardrijkskundig  Woordenboek  der  E'ederlanden  bi- 
jeengebracht  door  A.  J.  van  der  Aa."  Published  at  Gorinchem  by 
Jacobus  I^oorduyn,  1844. 

1623.     THE   WALLOONS. 

1622,    Feb.   5. 

Certain  Walloons*  and  French  petitioned  the  King  of  England  to  settle  in  Vir- 
ginia. See  Petition,  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  iii.  9.  This  was  not  granted.  Certain  Wal- 
loons, probably  the  same,  subsequently  petitioned  the  States  General,  to  settle  in 
New  Netherland.     The  following  action  was  taken: 

Resolution  of  the   States  of  Holland  and   West  Friesland  on  a  proposed  plan  of 

Emigration.     The  21  April,  1622. 

The  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  report  that  they  have  examined  the 
paper  relative  to  the  Families  to  be  conveyed  to  the  West  Indies,  and  are  of 
opinion,  that  it  is  very  advantageous  for  the  Company,  and  therefore  that  an  effort 

♦  The  Walloons  were  a  Romance  people  of  Galilean  and  Teutonic  origin,  who  had 
crossed  the  French  border,  and  settled  in  Belgium  chiefly  in  Hainault,  Namur,  Lux- 
emburg, Limburg  and  Liege.  Their  language  is  an  old  dialect  of  the  French;  it 
has  a  small  literature  of  its  own.  Of  these  Walloons  many  embraced  the  Reformed 
faith,  and  were  obliged  to  fly  in  consequence,  being  expelled  by  the  Spaniards  from 
the  Catholic  Netherlands;  many  passed  into  Holland,  and  somv  found  their  way  to 
England.  From  some  of  these  people,  desirous  of  finding  a  settled  home,  came  a 
petition  to  King  James  in  1621,  for  permission  to  go  to  Virginia  and  there  to  form 
an   establishment    of   their   own.      They    had    high    and   aristocratic    notions;    they 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  37 

ought  to  be  made  to  promote  it,  with  a  promise  that  they  should  be  employed; 
and  to  postpone  it  until  the  Directors  should  be  formed,  if  the  Assembly  thought 
proper  that  this  promise  should  be  made  to  them;  which,  being  considered  by  the 
Lords,  gentlemen  and  cities.  It  is  unanimously  resolved  and  concluded,  that  the 
said  promise  shall  be  given  with  the  knowledge  of  the  Magistracy,  and  to  proceed 
with  it  accordingly.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  28. 

Says  Wassenaar:  In  the  spring  of  1623,  the  West  India  Company  equipped  "  a 
vessel  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  lasts,  called  the  New  Netherlands,  whereof  Cor- 
nelius Jacobs  of  Hoorn  was  Skipper,  with  thirty  families,  mostly  Walloon* ". 
They  sailed  by  way  of  the  Canaries,  and  reached  the  Hudson  River.    .    .    . 

The  New  Netherlands,  on  her  arrival,  was  joined  by  the  yacht  Mackerel,  which 
had  come  over  by  way  of  the  West  Indies  the  previous  year.  She  found  a  French 
Ship  in  the  harbor,  which,  with  the  aid  of  the  Mackerel,  she  attacked  and  drove 
away.  On  the  New  Netherlands,  was  one  Catalina  Trico,  born  in  Paris. —  Doc. 
Hist.   N.  Y.  iii.  23,  24. 

NOTE   ON   THE    FIRST   TWO   DIRECTORS.     1623-1625. 

The  West  India  Company  was  chartered  June  3,  1621.  After  two  years  of  pre- 
liminary preparation,  the  Company  was  fully  organized,  and  began  to  prosecute  with 
energy  the  objects  of  its  incorporation.  New  Netherland  was  made  a  province  in 
1623,  and  assigned  to  the  care  of  the  Amsterdam  Chamber.  The  Provincial  seal  of 
New  Netherland  was  a  shield,  bearing  a  beaver,  proper,  surmounted  by  a  count's 
coronet,  and  encircled  by  the  words  "  Sigillum  Novi  Belgii  ".  In  the  spring  of  1623, 
the  first  permanent  colonization  began.  The  ship  "  New  Netherland  "  was  equipped 
and  brought  thirty  families  over,  the  greater  part  of  whom  were  Walloons.  Cor- 
nells Jacobson  May  superintended  this  expedition,  which  reached  Manhattan  in 
May.  Manhattan  Island  was  taken  possession  of  in  the  name  of  the  Company. 
The  Director  then  went  with  the  colonists  up  the  North  River  and  built  Fort 
Orange  on  Castle  Island,  where  about  eighteen  families  settled.  Alliances  were  at 
once  made  with  the  neighboring  Indians,  and  trade  in  peltry  was  begun.  May  then 
went  to  the  South  River  and  built  Fort  Nassau,  near  where  the  city  of  Gloucester 
now  stands.  Some  of  the  Walloons  who  came  over  at  this  time  settled  at  Walla- 
bout,  or  the  Walloon's  Boght  or  Cove.  Other  emigrants  soon  followed.  The  furs 
sent  back  to  Holland  during  May's  administration  amounted  to  twenty-eight  thou- 
sand guilders.  He  was  succeeded  in  1624  by  William  Verhulst  as  Director,  who 
returned  to  Holland  in  November,  1625.  There  seem  to  be  no  special  references  to 
religion  or  ecclesiastical  matters  during  the  term  of  these  two  Directors. 

wished  to  live  as  nobles,  in  a  kind  of  feudal  system,  and  asked  that  they  might  be 
granted,  in  the  new  country,  certain  extraordinary  and  exclusive  privileges  for 
themselves  and  their  descendants.  The  petition  was  denied,  and  the  scheme,  though 
twice  proposed  in  1621,  and  again  in  1622,  fell  through. —  Dr.  Dix,  Hist.  Trinity  Ch. 
N.  Y.,  i.  24,  25. 


1622 


1624 


38  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds  ^ 

1624,  Aug.  6,  et  seq. 

SyK"OD  of  IN'ORTH  HOLLAIS'D,    HELD   AT  EnKHUYSEN. 

Article  33. 

IV.  With  whom  shall  be  the  direction  and  supervision  of  the 

Churches  in  the  East  Indies?* 

Answer:  That  the  direction  shall  remain  with  the  churches 
and  Classes  within  whose  bounds  are  located  the  East  India 
(Company's)  Chambers.  In  order  that  this  matter,  general 
equality,  [lit.  a  footing  universally  equal],  may  be  maintained, 
it  was  resolved  to  request  the  Seventeen,  [the  Central  Board 
of  the  East  India  Company,  consisting  of  seventeen  members,] 
to  be  pleased  to  defray  the  necessary  expenses.  Thus  the  dele- 
gates of  the  several  Churches  and  Classes  may  assemble  at  con- 
venient seasons,  and  conjointly  be  able  to  adopt  resolutions  about 
the  Gravamina  [Grievances  or  Questions]  coming  up  from  the 
East  Indies,  with  unanimity,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  Deputies 
of  the  Synods;  thus  also  may  they  be  able  to  render  a  proper  re- 
port of  what  has  been  done  [by  the  several  Classes],  to  the  re- 
spective Synods.  But  in  order  that  all  this  may  be  done  with  due 
respect  for  the  High  Authorities,  therefore  the  Messrs.,  the  States 
of  Holland  and  West  Friesland,  shall  be  waited  on  [begroeten] 
about  this  matter,  and  their  High  Mighty  Authority  be  requested. 

On  this  same  occasion,  the  delegates  of  the  other  Provinces 
suggested,  that  inasmuch  as  the  supervision  of  the  church  affairs 
in  the  East  Indies  concerns  all  the  churches  of  this  land  in  com- 
mon, whether  it  would  not  be  well  to  peiTnit  the  churches  of  the 

*  Upon  the  same  principle  was  founded  the  management  of  the  churches  in.  the 
territories  of  the  West  India  Company,  viz.,  New  Netherland,  Brazil,  Surinam, 
West  India  Islands,  Cape  Colony,  etc.  Hence  the  ports  of  Hoorn  and  Enkhuysen, 
and  the  Classes  of  the  same  name,  at  first  had  charge  of  any  ecclesiastical  mat- 
ters In  New  Netherland.  Michaelius  was  sent  over  by  the  Classis  of  Enkhuysen. 
But  in  1628,  just  after  his  departure  for  America,  the  control  of  New  Netherland 
passed  Into  the  care  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  as  Michaelius  intimates  in  his 
letter. 


OF  THE  State  of  IRew  York:.  39 

other  Provinces  to  send  their  delegates,  at  their  own  expense,  to 
the  Assembly  beforementioned,  that  they  might  likewise  take  part 
in  the  knowledge  and  supervision  of  all.  The  Synod  having  dis- 
cussed this  matter,  gave  for  answer  as  follows:  that  while  this 
business  [above  alluded  to]  is  not  yet  effected,  they  will  be 
pleased  to  be  patient;  and  to  believe  that  when  it  is  carried  into 
effect,  as  desired,  that  then,  this  their  suggestion,  shall  be  duly 
taken  into  consideration.  They  w^ere  very  well  pleased  to  accept 
of  this  answer. 

1625,  Aug.  12,  et  seq, 

Syk'od  of  ^NToeth  Holland,  at  Edam. 

Article  19.     The  matter  of  the  Church-Order  in  the  East  Indies, 

remains  open,  as  heretofore. 

Art.  22.     East  Indian  Churches. 

As  to  the  direction  and  supervision  of  the  East  India  Churches 
—  more  fully  recited  in  Art.  33,  (1624:)  —  it  is  reported  that  the 
proposal  therein  mentioned,  is  not  as  yet  granted  by  definite  de^ 
cisions.  It  was  proposed  by  the  Deputati  of  Utrecht,  as  well  as  by 
those  of  Overyssel,  in  the  name  of  their  respective  Synods,  and 
more  urgently  by  those  of  Gelderland,  that  inasmuch  as  the  su- 
pervision of  Church  affairs  in  the  East  Indias  concerns  equally, 
all  the  churches  of  this  land,  whether  it  were  not  well  to  recog- 
nize in  this  whole  business,  all  the  churches  in  their  respective 
Provinces.  The  Synod  gave  further  consideration  to  this  matter 
but  still  holds  to  the  previous  resolution.  This  matter  is  therefore 
still  left  in  statu. 

Art.  43.  Ministerial  changes,  in  the  several  Classes,  indicated. 
[This  first  example  of  such  changes  is  given,  because  the  name 
of  Michaelius  occurs.] 

In  the  Classis  of  Edam. 

Died:  Jacobus  Pauli,  formerly  Minister  at  Beets  and  Gud- 

endyc. 


1636 


1625 


40  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Removed:  Isaac  Lydiiis. 

Came    in :  John  Ab.   Otten,   ordained  and  called  at  Beets  and 
Oudendvc. 

In  tlie  Classis  of  Alkmaar. 

Died :  Vincentius  Mensevoet,  at  Scliagen. 

Removed :  Daniel  Koningsvelt,  of  the  V^ael  and  Oosterejnide. 

Came    in :  Louis   Hondius,   from   Hnyssani  to    Scliagen.     John 

Backer,  called  and  ordained  at  the  Wael  and  Oos- 

teynde. 

In  the  Classis  of  Haarlem. 

Died :  Claes  Claessen,  late  Minister  at  Uitgeest. 

Emeritus :    Claes  Aelhertsen,  at  East  Saenen. 
Came    in :  Henry  Geldorpius,  at  East  Saenen ;  Isaac  Plantins,  at 
Heemstede;  Obdias  Witmarins,  at  Hytgeest. 

In  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

i 

Removed:  Louis  Hondins,  from  Hiiyssnm  to  Schagen. 

Cam^    in:  Cornelius  Hanecopius,   from   Breda   to   Amsterdam; 

Philip  Bevertj  called  and  ordained  at  Huyssum.  i 

In  the  Classis  of  Hoorn. 

Died:  Corn.  Jansse,  late  Minister  at  Schellinchout. 

Came    in :   Gerard  Puppius,  from  Breuckel  to  Hoorn.  '| 

i 

In  the  Classis  of  Enkhujsen.  ^ 

Removed:  Jonas  Michielse,"^  from  Hem  to  Brazil,  at  San  Sal- 
vador. 
Came    in:  Frans  Esause,  on  East  Vlielandt;  George  Wesselius, 
at  Hem. 

1 

•  This  is  the  Dutch  form  of  the  name  generally  Latinized  into  Michaelius.  ^ 


OF  THE  State  of  'N'ew  York.  41 

1625 

The  Dutch  in  Brazil. 

In  1624,  the  fleet  of  the  West  India  Company,  under  Admiral 
Piet  Hein,  captured  Bahia.  It  had  to  be  abandoned  however  the 
next  year,  and  the  Dutch  gained  no  permanent  hold  until  1630. 
Though  a  Portuguese  possession,  the  conquest  of  Portugal  by 
Spain  in  1584,  made  all  the  colonies  of  the  former  nation  the 
legitimate  spoils  of  War  for  the  Dutch  in  their  War  against  Spain. 

The  seat  of  colonial  government  v/as  located  at  the  captured 
city  of  Olinda,  in  the  Captaincy  of  Pernambuco.  The  city 
founded  by  the  Dutch  vs^as  called  Mauritsstad,  after  John  Maurice, 
Count  of  E'assau,  (a  cousin  of  the  Prince  of  Orange,)  who  was 
governor  of  Dutch  Brazil  from  1636  to  1644.  In  1640  Portugal 
threw  off  the  Spanish  yoke  and  became  again  an  independent 
government,  largely  by  aid  of  the  Dutch  Kepublic.  This  pro- 
duced serious  complications  in  Brazil,  and  finally  the  Dutch  pos- 
sessions there  had  to  be  restored  to  their  original  owners,  Portugal 
by  a  convention  in  1661  agreeing  to  pay  to  the  West  India  Com- 
pany an  indemnity  of  eight  millions  of  guilders  (or  three  million 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars).  Things  had  been  in  great  con- 
fusion years  before  this  final  settlement,  which  accounts  for  the 
emigration  of  Dutch  preachers  from  Brazil  to  ISTew  ISTetherland. 

The  Dutch  Church  in  Brazil. 

1625-1654. 

There  had  already  been  an  attempt  to  found  the  French  Rer- 
formed  Church  in  Brazil,  for  which  see  the  Missionary  Histories. 
But  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  took  Bahia  from  the  Portu- 
guese in  1624,  and  in  1625,  Eev.  Jonas  Michaelius  went  thither  as 
minister.  The  Jesuists,  under  the  Portuguese,  had  already  done 
some  missionary  work  in  Brazil.  Michaelius  left  the  next  year 
for  Guinea.     Other  Dutch  ministers  followed  in  Brazil,  but  in 


1625 


42  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1637,  Count  John  Maurice,  the  Governor,  wrote  to  Holland  for 
eight  more  Reformed  ministers.  Rev.  Davilus  was  the  first  to 
learn  the  language  of  the  natives.  Rev.  Domine  Riflarius  was 
eloquent  in  preaching  both  in  Portuguese  and  Brazilian,  and  trans- 
lated the  Heidelberg  Catechism  into  the  Tapuya  dialect.  Rev. 
Frederic  Casseber  preached  at  Reissa.  At  Olinda  and  the  neigh- 
boring villages,  the  Revs.  Joachim  Seller  and  Johannes  Theo- 
dorufl  Polhemius,  preached,  both  in  French  and  Portuguese.  Pol- 
hemus  came  to  E'ew  ^Netherland  in  1654,  and  is  the  ancestor  of 
the  large  and  respected  family  of  that  name  in  ]^ew  York  and 
elsewhere.  Rev.  Cornelius  Poelius  (Pool)  preached  in  Tamarica, 
and  Rev.  Samuel  Rathclarius,  an  Englishman,  preached  in 
Paraiba,  St.  Augustine;  and  Rev.  John  Eduardi  at  Serinhaen. 
Two  Classes  were  finally  organized  here,  and  even  a  Synod.  The 
ecclesiastical  records  in  Holland  are  full  of  material,  and  Dutch 
and  Latin  histories,  as  well  as  one  or  more  in  German,  of  Count 
John  Maurice,  abound  in  Holland.  A  small  Latin  History  was 
purchased  by  the  writer  in  1898,  and  is  in  the  Collegiate  Church 
Library,  'New  York.  See  also  Dr.  Jas.  I.  Good's  "  Reformed 
Church  in  America  ",  1899. 


OF  THE  State  of  'Nbw  York.  43 


1626- 
1632 


THE  ADMimSTKATIOI^  OF  PETEK  Mi:^UIT. 

1626-1632. 

Peter  Minuit  was  bom  in  the  citv  of  Wesel,  on  the  Rhine,  in  the 
Duchy  of  Cleves.  This  city  was  famous  as  an  asylum  for  the 
persecuted.  Being  adjacent  to  the  northeastern  part  of  Holland, 
myriads  of  persecuted  Hollanders  flocked  thither,  as  well  as  exiles 
from  England  and  Scotland.  Besides  the  regular  German  Re- 
formed Church  in  Wesel,  there  were  also  organized  there,  from 
these  exiles,  large  and  influential  French  Refonned,  Dutch  Re- 
formed and  English  Reformed  congregations.  Wesel  was  famous 
at  this  time  for  its  religious  and  literary  activity.  Here  mingled 
some  of  the  choicest  spirits  of  Europe.  It  was  here  that  the 
exiles  of  the  churches  of  Holland  met,  in  1568,  and  adopted  their 
Presbyterial  Form  of  Church  Government. 

It  was  in  such  a  center  of  intelligence  that  Peter  Minuit  was 
bom  in  1580  of  Huguenot  parentage.  While  he  generally  wrote 
his  name  Minuit,  it  is  sometimes  found  written  Menewee,  accord- 
ing to  pronunciation.  He  was  of  robust  form,  and  had  dark  eyes 
and  brusque  manners.  In  time  he  became  a  ruling  elder  of  the 
Walloon  or  French  Reformed  Church  of  Wesel;  while  his  brother- 
in-law  Jan  Huyghens,  who  subsequently  went  with  him  to  New 
Netherland  and  was  prominent  in  both  Church  and  State,  was  a 
deacon  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  Wesel,  which  some- 
times numbered  four  or  five  thousand  members. 

Minuit  probably  left  Wesel  about  1624,  because  the  city  had 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Spaniards.  He  was,  perhaps,  specially 
fitted  to  take  charge  of  a  colony,  for  he  was  a  man  of  sound  prin- 
ciples and  practical  tact.  He  combined  the  qualities  of  a  Christian, 
a  merchant  and  a  pioneer;  and  was  therefore  well  qualified  to  lay 


1626- 
1632 


44  Ecclesiastical  Records 

the  foundations  of  Church  ajid  State  in  New  Amsterdam.  He 
was  appointed  Director  of  New  Netherland  by  the  West  India 
Company,  December  19,  1625,  and  landed  at  New  Amsterdam, 
May  4,  1626.  He  was  careful  that  seeds,  plants,  animals  and 
implements  of  husbandry  should  be  provided  for  his  colony. 

Minuit  at  once  bought  the  island  of  Manhattan  of  the  red  men, 
for  twenty  four  dollars.  He  always  dealt  honorably  with  the  In- 
dians. He  was  the  actual  founder  of  civil  government  in  New 
Netherland.  Business  began  to  flourish  as  never  before.  He 
opened  up  correspondence  with  Governor  Bradford  of  Plymouth, 
and  proposed  commercial  reciprocity.  He  also  sent  Bradford  a 
present  of  sugar  and  Holland  cheese. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  Domine  Michaeiius  in  April,  1628,  Minuit 
and  his  brother-in-law  Huyghens  were  at  once  chosen  to  be  the 
ruling  elders  of  the  Dutch  Church  which  Michaeiius  established. 
According  to  researches  made  in  1868  by  pastor  J.  D.  Sardeman, 
of  Wesel,  Huyghens  was  deacon  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church 
in  Wesel  in  1612;  but  Minuit's  name  was  not  found  in  the  records 
of  that  Church.     It  is  probable,  therefore,  that  Minuit  was  elder 
of  the  French  Church  of  Wesel,  and  that  Michaeiius  was  not 
exactly  accurate  in  his  expression.     No  doubt  Minuit  was  also  a 
deacon  in  that  French  Church  before  he  became  an  elder,  as  was 
the  custom.     Neither  does  Minuit's  name  occur  in  the  records  of 
the  German  Church  of  Wesel.    The  records  of  the  French  Church 
are  lost.     Minuit's  name,  however,  occurs  in  the  civil  records  of 
Wesel  on  March  5,  1619,  as  guardian  of  his  sister's  minor  chil- 
dren; and  again  on  April  16,  1626,  it  is  recorded  that  he  had  left 
for  foreign  lands.    Minuit  was  recalled  in  the  spring  of  1632.    In 
1638  he  returned  to  America  to  foimd  the  colony  of  New  Sweden, 
in  Delaware.     He  succeeded,  but  perished  in  a  West  Indian  hur- 
ricane the  same  year. 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  46 

See  ^^  Memorial  Services  in  honor  of  Peter  Minuit  "j*  witb. 
addresses  hj  Rev.  Dr.  Cyras  Cort  and  others,  April  23,  1895,  un- 
der the  auspices  of  the  State  of  Delaware.  Several  errors  in 
former  histories  are  therein  corrected.  See  also  Indexes  of  O'Cal- 
laghan  and  Brodhead. 

Comforters  of  the  Sick. 

1626. 

While  it  was  the  general  duty  of  ministers  in  the  ISTetherlands 
to  visit  the  sick,  yet  in  destitute  fields,  or  in  those  too  large  for 
the  minister  properly  to  attend  to,   certain  ones,   perhaps  gen- 

*  The  following  Tablet  has  recently  been  erected  in  the  Middle  Dutch  Church, 
New  York  City,  2nd  Avenue,  near  7th  St.,  to  the  Memory  of  Peter  Minuit: 

TO  THE  GLORY  OF  GOD 
AND   IN   MEMORY   OF 
PETER  MINUIT 
FIRST    DIRECTOR    GENERAL    OF    NEW    NETHERLAND, 

A.D.   1626 
AND   THE   FIRST  ELDER   OF  THIS   CHURCH, 

A.D.   1628. 
AN    INTELLIGENT    AND    GOD-FEARING    MAN, 
WITH   GREAT   EXECUTIVE    ABILITY,   AND 
ENTIRELY    INCORRUPTIBLE.      A    MAN 
NOT    SURPASSED   IN    WISE    ADMINISTRATION 
OF   AFFAIRS  BY  ANY  OF  THE   LONG   LINE  OF 
STATESMEN   AND    PATRIOTS   WHO,    FOR   THE 
GREATER   PART    OF   THREE    CENTURIES    HAVE 
BEEN  THE   EXECUTIVES  OF  THE  EMPIRE  STATE. 

"  THE   GLORY   OF   CHILDREN  ARE   THEIR   FATHERS." 

"  THIS   SHALL   BE   WRITTEN   FOR 
THE   GENERATION   TO   COME." 

"  TELL   YOUR   CHILDREN   OF   IT,   AND   LET 
YOUR   CHILDREN  TELL  THEIR   CHILDREN,   AND 
THEIR    CHILDREN   ANOTHER    GENERATION." 

ERECTED  A.D.  1900.$ 
BY  A   SUCCESSOR  IN  HIS  ECCLESIASTICAL  OFFICE, 
IN   DEVOUT   RECOGNITION   OF   THE   TRUTH   THAT, 
"  A   GOOD  NAME   IS   RATHER  TO   BE 
CHOSEN   THAN   GREAT   RICHES." 

t  William  L.  Brower  of  New  York  City  erected  this  and  other  Tablets  mentioned 
hereafter. 


1626 


46  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

1626 

erally  from  the  Great  Consistory,  and  especially  from  the  deacons, 
were  appointed  to  this  duty.  There  was  an  elaborate  Form  pre- 
pared for  their  use,  which  was  formerly  printed  in  all  the  editions 
of  the  Liturgy.  (It  was  thus  printed  also  in  the  first  English 
editions  in  1793  and  1815,  in  this  country.)  These  special  officers 
read  this  Eorm,  in  whole  or  in  part,  to  the  sick,  together  with  the 
creeds.  There  were  two  words  used  to  describe  these  officers, 
viz. :  Krankenbezoeker  and  Ziekentrooster.  Strictly  speaking,  the 
former  mea,ri5  a  seeker  out,  or  visitor  of  the  sick  —  especially 
those  overtaken  suddenly  by  sickness;  while  the  latter  means  a 
comforter  of  those  who  are  very  sick  —  especially  when  nearing 
their  end.     Practically,  the  two  terms  were  used  synonymously. 

While  many  agencies  are  now  devised  to  relieve  the  distressed, 
and  to  comfort  the  invalid,  it  is  an  interesting  circumstance  that 
the  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  the  oldest  in  the  Empire  State  by 
half  a  century,  had  a  unique  provision  for  this  very  work  from  the 
beginning.  With  Peter  Minuit,  the  Director  General  of  ISTew 
iTetherland,  came  over  two  Comforters  of  the  sick.  These  were 
Sebastian  Jansen  Krol  (or  Crol)  and  Jan  Huyck.  As  yet  no  ar- 
rangements had  been  made  for  a  regular  clergyman,  but  his  place 
was  thus  partially  supplied.  The  Form  which  they  used  consisted 
chiefly  of  consolatory  texts  of  Scripture.  When  the  Rev.  Jonas 
Michaelius,  the  first  minister,  arrived,  in  1628,  these  two  Com- 
forters of  the  Sick,  together  with  Peter  Minuit,  the  Director  Gen- 
eral, were  made  the  first  elders  of  the  Dutch  Church  of  ^ew  Am- 
sterdam, (Nevf  York,)  and  with  their  appointment  the  Church 
was  regularly  organized. 

In  the  Charter  establishing  Patroonships  in  1629,  and  in  sub- 
sequent similar  Charters,  it  was  required  of  the  Patroons  that 
they  "  shall  particularly  exert  themselves  to  find  speedy  means 
to  maintain  a  clergyman  and  schoolmaster,  in  order  that  Divine 
Service  and  zeal  for  religion  may  be  planted  in  that  country,  and 
(must)  send  at  first  a  Comforter  of  the  Sick  ". 


OF  THE  State  of  !N'ew  York.  4T 

1626 

The  Title  of  this  Form  is  "  The  Consolation  of  the  Sick;  which 
is  an  Instruction  in  Faith  and  the  Way  of  Salvation,  to  prepare 
Believers  to  die  willingly  ". 

The  line  of  thought  which  these  Krankenbezoeckers  or  Zieken- 
troosters  read,  in  the  performance  of  their  duty,  was  as  follows : — 

The  Form  first  referred  to  Man's  original  creation  in  righteous- 
ness; the  fall,  and  original  sin,  and  the  penalty  of  death,  with 
many  texts  of  Scripture  relating  to  the  brevity  and  vanity  of  life; 
to  the  Providence  of  God,  which  determines  our  days;  to  our 
weakness  and  general  sinfulness,  and  our  exposure  to  the  Divine 
wi-ath;  and  then  to  the  gift  of  Christ  as  the  Light  of  the  world, 
as  an  atonement  for  our  sins,  and  through  whom  we  may  triumph. 
Very  many  beautiful  texts  are  then  quoted  about  the  love  of  God 
to  sinners;  the  Person  and  work  of  Christ;  His  worthiness  of  our 
love,  and  the  duty  of  prayer,  and  of  faith  in  Christ.  His  inter- 
cession for  sinners  is  then  specially  emphasized,  and  his  willing- 
ness to  save  all  classes  of  men.  The  peace  which  God  gives  the 
believer  in  Christ  is  then  referred  to,  however  great  may  have 
been  one's  sins;  and  hence  the  believer's  right  to  desire  to  be  de- 
livered from  this  mortal  body  and  to  enter  on  the  glorious  inherit- 
ance of  the  children  of  God.  This  is  again  supported  by  many 
delightful  texts  of  Scripture.  The  benefits  of  tribulation  are  then 
referred  to,  and  the  certainty  of  the  believer's  victory;  also  the 
importance  of  always  watching  for  the  change  and  fighting  against 
the  temptations  to  which  we  are  exposed.  Regeneration  and  the 
fruits  of  the  Spirit  are  next  alluded  to,  with  the  resurrection  of 
the  body,  and  the  blessedness  of  all  those  who  believe  in  Christ, 
and  who  shall  hear  his  welcome  "  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father, 
inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world  ".  The  form  ends  with  the  words  —  Blessed  are  they  whose 
names  are  written  in  the  Book  of  Life. 


1628 


48  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

Comforters  of  the  Sick*  continued  to  be  sent  to  !N'ew  Xetherland 
for  forty  or  fifty  years  from  1626,  and  to  the  West  Indies  for  a 
century  or  more.  To  the  East  Indies  they  continued  to  be  sent 
for  a  couple  of  centurieSj  and  they  were  sometimes  there  ordained 
to  the  Ministry.  This  whole  matter  is  elaborately  reviewed  in 
Hofstede,  ^^  Oost-Indien  Kerk-Zaken  ",  East  Indian  Church-Cases, 
2  vols.,  177 9.  Published  at  Rotterdam.  Copy  procured  for  Col- 
legiate Church  Library,  New  York,  1898,  by  E.  T.  C. 

^IlCHAELIUS    TO    SmOUTIUS. 

Kev.  Jonas  llichaelius,  Eirst  Minister  of  Manhattan,  'New 
IN'etherland,  to  Rev.  Adrian  Smoutius,  one  of  the  Ministers  of  the 
Collegiate  Churches  of  Amsterdam,  August  11,  1628. 

*  The  following  Tablet  has  recently  been  erected  In  the  Middle  Dutch  Church, 
New  York  City,  2nd  Avenue,  near  7th  St.  to  the  Memory  of  these  first  Kranken- 
bezoekers: 

IN    MEMORY    OF 

THE   KRANKENBEZOEKERS 

SEBASTIAN   JANSEN   KROL 

AND 

JAN   HUYCK 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  ESTABLISHED  CHURCH 

OF  THE 

NETHERLANDS, 

WHO   A.D.    1626,    CAME   HITHER, 

IN  ADVANCE  OF  THE    FIRST  MINISTER 

TO   PERFORM  THEIR  SACRED  OFFICE 

OF  MINISTERING  TO   THE   PEOPLE 

AND   CONSOLING   THE    SICK. 

"  THE   VOICE    OF    ONE   CRYING 

IN   THE    WILDERNESS." 
"  BEHOLD  THE   LAMB   OF   GOD  WHICH  TAKETH 

AWAY  THE   SINS   OF   THE   WORLD." 
"  COMFORT   YE    COMFORT   YE    MY   PEOPLE." 
"  I    WAS    SICK   AND    YE   VISITED   ME." 

GRATEFULLY   ERECTED   BY  ONE, 
HIMSELF    ORDAINED    TO    THE    OFFICE 
OF    RELIEVING   THE    POOR 
"  NOT   ONLY   WITH   EXTERNAL   GIFTS.      BUT 
WITH    COMFORTABLE    WORDS    OF    SCRIPTURE." 

A.D.   1900. 


i 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York. 


49 


[First  translation  by  Hon.  Henry  C.  Murphy,  1858,  and  care- 
fully revised  by  Rev.  John  G.  Fagg,  1896,  one  of  the  pastors  of 
the  Collegiate  Church,  New  York  City.] 


1628 


(Addressed  on  back.) 


Den  Eerwaerdigen  Welgeleerden 
ende  Godvruchtigen  Heere  Adriano 
Smoutio,  getrouwen  Bedienaer  des 
H.  Evangelii  Christi  in  sijne  Ge- 
meynte,  wonende  op  de  Heeren- 
gracht,  niet  verde  van  het  West- 
Indische  buys  tot  Amsterdam. 

Per  vriend  dien  God  beware. 


The  Honorable,  Learned  and 
Pious  Mr.  Adrian  Smoutius,  Faith- 
ful Minister  of  the  Holy  Gospel  of 
Christ  in  his  Church,  Dwelling  upon 
the  Heerengracht,  not  far  from  the 
house  of  the  West  India  Company 
at   Amsterdam. 

By  a  friend,  whom  God  preserve. 


(Sealed  mth  a  wafer ed  signet  not  discernible.) 


De  Vrede  Christi. 
Eerwaerdige  Heere,   welbeminde 
Broeder  inChristo,  gunstige  Vriend! 


The  Peace  of  Christ  to  You. 
Reverend      Sir,      Well      Beloved 
Brother  in  Christ,  Kind  Friend! 


Incidents. 


De  goede  gelegenheyd,  die  mij  nu 
voorcomt,  om  aan  UWelEw.  te 
schrijven,  en  can  icli  niet  laten 
voorbij  (gaen),  sender  het  selve, 
volgens  mijne  belofte  te  doen. 
Ende  opdat  ick  mij  in  dese  com- 
municatie,  van  een  droevige  zake 
eerst  ontlade,  het  heeft  den  Heere 
belieft  mij  mijne  goede  parture  (die 
mij  nu  over  de  16  jaren  langh,  een 
deugtsame,  getrouwe  ende  ganscli 
lieftallige  jockgenoot  geweest 
hadde)  af  te  nemen,  nadat  wij 
ruym  7  weken*  hier  te  lande  gear- 
riveert  waren;  ende  vynde  mij  nu 
sender  haer  gezelschap  ende  hulpe, 
eeer  gedlscommodeert,  met  mijne  3 
kinderkens  alleene.  Doch  wat  heb 
ick  te  seggen?  De  Heere  selve 
heeft  het  gedaen:  tegen  welcken 
hem  niemand  can  stellen.  Ende 
waerom     soud     ick     oock     willen. 


The  favorable  opportunity  which 
now  presents  itself  of  writing  to 
your  Reverence  I  cannot  let  pass, 
without  embracing  it,  according  to 
my  promise.  And  I  first  unburden 
myself  in  this  communication  of  a 
sorrowful  circumstance.  It  pleased 
the  Lord,  seven  weeks 
after  we  arrived  in  this  Death  of 
country,  to  take  from  his  wife, 
me  my  good  partner, 
who  was  to  me,  for  more  than  six- 
teen years,  a  virtuous,  faithful, 
and  altogether  amiable  yoke  fel- 
low; axid  I  now  find  myself*  with 
three  children  very  much  discom- 
moded, without  her  society  and  as- 
sistance. But  what  have  I  to  sayV 
The  Lord  himself  has  done  this, 
against  whom  no  one  can  oppose 
himself.  And  w^hy  should  I  wish 
to,   knowing  that   all  things    must 


•  Dlt    gebeurde    dus    omstreeks    half 
JunlJ. 


•  This  happened  about  the  middle  of 
June  (or  rather  about  the  last  of  May?) 


50 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1628 


wetende  dat  alle  dingen  ten  goede 
moeten  helpen  dengenen  die  God 
lief  hebben.  Hope  derhalven  mijn 
cruyce  lijdsamelijek  te  dragen, 
ende  de  couragie,  die  mij  alhier  in 
mijnen  dienst  sonderlinge  van 
nooden  is,  niet  te  laten  ontvallen, 
door  des  Heeren  genade  ende  liulpe. 
De  reyse  heeft  lange  geduyrt, 
namelijk  yan  den  24  Januarii  tot 
den  7  Aprilis,  als  wij  eerst  onsen 
Yoet  liier  aen  land  stelden.  Storm 
ende  onweder  en  hebben  wij  geen 
gebreck  gehat,  voornemelijek  om- 
trent  de  Barmudes  ende  de  riiyge 
custen  deser  Landen:  twelck  de 
goede  vrouwe  ende  de  kinderen 
hard  Yiel,  docb  sy  hielden  sic  noch 
ongelijck  beter,  soo  ten  aensien  van 
zeesiecte  als  vreese,  dan  ick  wel 
verwacht  hadde.  0ns  tractament 
te  schepe  vlel  ganscb  bard  ende 
sober,  eo  dat  mijn  zalige  buys- 
vrouwe  ende  kinderen,  niet  etende 
met  ons  in  de  cajuyte  van  wegen 
de  cleyne  ruymte,  een  arger  lot 
hadden  dan  de  bootsgesellen  selve, 
ende  dat  van  Tvegen  enen  ondeii- 
genden  cock,  die  voornam  hen  op 
alle  manieren  te  plagen:  maer  in- 
sonderheyd  van  den  scbipper  selve, 
dewelcke  (boewel  ick  menicbmael 
met  alle  beleeftheyd  daerover 
claegde)  hem  sulcx  int  minste  niet 
aen  en  trock,  om  den  rabaut* 
daerover  te  bestraffen:  noch  oock 
selve  genich  dinck  en  gaf,  selfs  als 
sij  gansch  qualijck  te  passe  waren, 
dat  bun  conde  goed  doen,  ende 
nochtans  genoech  in  bet  schip  -was: 
gelijck  hij  oock  selve  vrel  genoech 
wiste  te  vynden,  om  buytens  tijds 
synen  buyk  tevullen.  Al  de  deugdt 
die  hij  ons  dede,  bestond  alleen- 
lljck  in  liberale  beloften  met  een 
droncken  hoofd,  op  de  welcke,  als 
hij  benuchtert  was,  niet  en  volgde 


work  together  for  good  to  them 
that  love  God.  I  hope  therefore  to 
bear  my  cross  patiently,  and  by  the 
grace  and  help  of  the  Lord,  not  to 
let  the  cour'age  fail  me  which  in 
my  duties  here  I  so  especially  need. 


The    voyage    was    long,    namely, 
from  the  24th  of   January  till  the 
7th  of  April,  when  we  first  set  foot 
upon  land.     Of  storm  and  tempest 
Vv^hich    fell    hard    upon 
the      good     wife      and    Chaj-acter 
children,     though    they        of  the 
bore    it    better    as    re-      voyage, 
gards   sea-sickness  and 
fear  than  I  had  expected,  we  bad 
no  lack,  particularly  in  the  vicinity 
of    the    Bermudas    and    the   rough 
coasts  of  this   country.      Our  fare 
in    the    ship    was    very    poor    and 
scanty,    so  that   my    blessed   wife 
and  children,  not  eating  with  us  in 
the  cabin,  on  account  of  the  little 
room  in  it,  had  a  worse  lot  than 
the  sailors  themselves;  and  that  by 
reason  of  a  wicked  cook  who  an- 
noyed   them    in    every    way;    but 
especially  by  reason  of  the  captain 
himself,  who,  although  I  frequently 
complained     of     it     in     the     most 
courteous  manner,  did  not  concern 
himself  in  the  least  about  correct- 
ing  the  rascal;*    nor  did   he,    even 
when  they  were  all  sick,  give  them 
anything  which  could  do  them  any 
good,   although    there  was    enough 
in   the   ship:   as   he   himself   knew 
very  well  where  to  find  it  in  order, 
out  of  meal  times,  to  fill  his  own 
stomach.     All  the  relief  which  he 
gave  us,  consisted  merely  in  liberal 
promises,    with    a    drunken    head; 
upon  which  nothing  followed  when 
he  was  sober  but  a  sour  face;  and 
he  raved  at   the  officers   and   kept 


•  Hij  bedoelt  den  kok. 


*  He  means  the  cook. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York. 


51 


1628 


clan  een  suyr  gesicbte,  ende  dus 
heeft  hij  mede  de  beeste  gespeelt 
tegens  de  ofScieren,  ende  hem  ge- 
stadich  aen  den  wijn  gehouden,  soo 
in  zee,  als  oock  voornemelijck  hier 
liggende  in  de  Riviere  (Hudson), 
soo  dat  hij  dagelijcx  te  scbepe  ge- 
loopen  heeft  met  een  nat  seyl  ende 
berooyt  hoofd,  comende  seer  selden 
te  lande  in  den  Raed*  ende  nim- 
mermeer  in  de  publyeke  Godsdienst. 
Wij  hebben  't  te  schepe  al  met 
stilswijgen  verdragen,  maer  bet 
jammert  mij,  als  iek  daer  aen  ge- 
deneke  om  mijuer  hiiysrou-wen 
wille,  te  meer  omdat  se  soo  gestelt 
was,  als  sij  was,  niet  anders 
wetende  of  sij  was  swanger  van 
kynde,  ende  omdat  den  tijd  soo 
cort  was,  dien  sij  noch  hadde  te 
leven.  Ick  hebbe  in  mijne  eerste 
voyagie*  lange  met  hem  gesworen, 
jae  gelgeert  in  een  hutte,  maer  en 
wiste  nooyt  datter  suleken  buffel 
ende  dronckaerd  in  stack.  Maer 
doe  stond  hij  onder  d'opsicht  van 
den  Heer  Lam,  ende  nu  hadd'  hij 
selve  over  alles  te  gebieden.  Iek 
heb  oock  aen  den  Heere  Godynt 
daervan  geschreven,  noodich  ach- 
tende  dat  ment  wete. 

Onse  aencomste  was  alhier  aen- 
genaem  bij  alien,  ende  verhope 
door  des  Heeren  genade  dat  mijn 
dienst  niet  onvriichtbaer  sal  wesen. 
Het  volck  is  de  meeste  part  al  vrij 
wat  ruych  ende  ongebonden,  doch 
ick  bevynde  in  meest  alien,  beyde 


himself  constantly  to  the  wine, 
both  at  sea  and  especially  here 
while  lying  in  the  (Hudson)  River; 
so  that  he  navigated  the  ship  daily 
with  a  wet  sail  and  an  empty  head, 
seldom  coming  ashore  to  the  Coun- 
cil* and  never  to  Divine  service. 
We  bore  all  with  silence  on  board 
the  ship;  but  it  grieves  me,  when 
I  think  of  it,  on  account  of  my 
wife;  the  more,  because  she  was  in 
such  a  physical  state  as  she  was  — 
believing  herself  to  be  in  a  delicate 
condition  —  and  the  time  so  short 
w^hich  she  had  yet  to  live.  On  my 
first  voyage*  I  roamed  about  with 
him  a  great  deal,  even  lodged  in 
the  same  hut,  but  never  knew  that 
he  was  such  a  brute  and  drunkard. 
But  he  was  then  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Mr.  Lam,  and  now  he  had 
the  chief  command  himself.  I 
have  also  written  to  Mr.  Godynf 
about  it,  considering  it  necessary 
that  it  should  be  known. 

Our  coming  here  was  agreeable 
to  all,  and  I  hope,  by  the  grace  of 
the  Lord,  that  my  service  will  not 
be    unfruitful.       The 
people,   for  the  most     His  recep- 
part,        are        rather         tion  at 
rough,       and       unre-    Manhattan, 
strained,    but   I    find 
in  most  all  of  them  both  love  and 
respect    towards    me;    two    things 
with  which  hitherto  the  Lord  has 
everywhere  graciously  blessed  my 
labors,  and  which  in  our  calling,  as 


*  Raed:  welligt  de  Raad  van  bestuur 
der  kolonie,  waarin  hij  misscliien,  vol- 
gens  zijne  commissie,  wat  te  zeggen 
had  hij  de  verdere  ten  uitvoer  brenging 
der  kolonisatie. 

*  Werwaarts?  naar  Brazilie  en  Gui- 
nea,  tusschen  1624  en  1626. 

t  Welligt  bedoelt  hij  Samuel  Godyn, 
blj  O'Callaghan,  i.  479. 


*  Council:  perhaps  the  Council  of  the 
administration  of  the  Colony,  wherein 
he,  probably  according  to  his  Commis- 
sion, had  a  voice  in  reference  to  pro- 
moting colonization. 

*  Whither?  to  Brazil  and  Guinea,  be- 
tween 1624-1626. 

t  Perhaps  he  means  Samuel  Godyn, 
with  O'Callaghan,   i.  479. 


62 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1628 


llefde  t'mljwaert,  ende  oock  ont- 
eich;  twee  dingen  daermede  de 
Heere  mijnen  dienst  tot  noch  toe 
allenthalven  genadelijck  gezegent 
heeft,  ende  die  ons  in  onse  be- 
dieninge  (gelijck  UWelEerw.  selve 
wel  weet  ende  bevyndt)  sonderlinge 
wel  te  passe  comen  om  vrucht  tc 
Terschaffen. 


your  Reverence  well  knows  and 
finds,  are  especially  desirable,  in 
order  to  make  (our  ministry)  fruit- 
ful. 


The  Church, 


Wij  hebben  van  eersten  aen  een 
forme  van  een  gemeente  aenge- 
stelt;  ende  dewijle  de  Broeder 
Bastiaen  Crol*  seer  selden  na  bene- 
den  afcomt  van  't  fort  Orangie, 
doordien  hem  aldaer  de  Directie 
van  tselve  fort  en  den  handel  be- 
volen  is:  soo  is  goed  gevonden  twe 
Ouderlingen  te  verkiesen,  mij  tot 
assistentie  ende  behoorlljck  com- 
municatie  alles  wat  kerckelijk 
sonde  mogen  voorvallen:  denckende 
bet  toecomende  jaer  soo  't  de  Heere 
toelaet,  den  enen  te  laten  afgaen, 
ende  enen  anderen  in  sijne  plaetse 
te  verkiesen  uyt  een  dubbeld  getal, 
der  Gemeynte  eerst  wettelijk  voor- 
gestelt.  D'een  die  wij  nu  gecoren 
hebben,  is  de  heer  Directeur*  selve 
ende  d'ander  de  winkelliouder  der 


From  the  beginning  we  estab- 
lished the  form  of  a  church;  and 
as  Brother  Bastiaen  Crol*  very 
seldom  comes  down  from  Fort 
Orange,  because  the  Directorship 
of  that  fort  and  the  trade  there  is 
committed  to  him,  it  has  been 
thought  best  to  choose  two  elders 
for  my  assistance  and  for  the 
proper  consideration  of  all  such 
ecclesiastical  matters  as  might  oc- 
cur, intending  the  coming  year,  if 
the  Lord  permit,  to  let  one  of  them 
retire,  and  to  choose  another  in  his 
place  from  a  double 
number  first  lawfully  Consistory 
proposed  to  the  congre-  appointed, 
gation.  One  of  those 
whom  we  have  now  chosed  Is  the 
Honorable    Director*   himself,   and 


•  O'Callaghan,  1.  122.  Seb.  Jansen 
Krol  was  ook  volgens  Brodliead  in  1626 
krankbezoeker  op  het  eiland  Manhat- 
tans, in  1628  Vice-Directeur  op  fort 
Oranje.  Br,,  p.  165,  169,  183,  201,  212, 
223. 

•  Director,  Peter  Minult  or  Minnewit, 
van  Wesel.  O'Callaghan,  i.  100.  Brod- 
head,  162  en  passim  tot  32u.  Hij  zag 
zlch  in  1631  ontslagen,  en  stierf  later  in 
de  Zweedsche  kolonie  aan  de  Zuidrivier, 
al8  haar  beschermer,  in  164L  Er  is  geen 
spoor  ran  misverstand  tusschen  hem  en 
Michaelius  gevonden,  gelijk  wel  later 
tusschen  Minuit's  opvolger,  Ev.  Bogar- 
dus,  en  den  volgenden  Directeur  der 
kolonie,  Wouter  van  Twiller. 


♦  O'Callaghan,  i.  422.  Sebastian  Jan- 
sen Krol,  was  also,  according  to  Brod- 
head,  a  Comforter  of  the  Sick  on  the 
Island  of  Manhattan  in  1626,  and  Vice- 
Director  at  Fort  Orange  in  1628.  Brod- 
head,  i.,  165,   169,  183,  201,   212,  223. 

*  Director,  Peter  Minuit  or  Minnewit, 
from  WeseL  O'Callaghan,  i.  100.  Brod- 
head,  162,  and  in  various  places  down  to 
320.  He  saw  himself  dismissed  in  1631, 
and  subsequently  died  in  the  Swedish 
Colony  on  the  South  River,  while  "  Pro- 
tector "  there  in  l&il.  There  has  been 
found  no  trace  of  any  misunderstanding 
between  him  and  Michaelius,  as  subse- 
quently there  was  between  his  successor 
Bogardus,  and  Van  Twiller,  the  next 
Director  of  the  Colony. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York. 


53 


1698 


Compagnie,  Jan  Huygen,  zijn 
swager,  liiyden  van  zeer  goeden 
getuygenisse,  soo  vele  ick  doemaels 
Ternemen  conde;  hebbende  beyden 
wel  eer  geweest  in  kerekelijke  be- 
dieninge,  d'eene  der  diaconye  ende 
d'ander  des  Ouderlingschaps  re- 
spectivelijk  in  de  Duytsche  ende 
Franscbe  Kercke  tot  Wesel. 

Wij  hebben  in  de  eerste  be- 
dieninge  des  H.  Avondmaels  {niet 
Bonder  groote  blijdsciiap  ende 
troost  van  velen  gehouden)  gehat 
rnyn  50  commnnicanten,  soo  Walen 
als  Duytsclien:  van  de  w^elcke  een 
partije  hare  eerste  belydenisse  des 
geloofs  voor  ons  gedaen  hebben, 
ende  andere  hare  kerehelijcke  at- 
testatien  verthoont.  Andere  had- 
den  se  vergeten  mede  te  nemen, 
niet  denckende  dat  hier  een  ge- 
meente  geformeert  ende  opgericht 
sonde  werden;  ende  enige  die  se 
metgenomen  hadden  hebben  se  in 
enen  gemeynen  ongeluckigen  brand 
verloren:  doch  sijn  geadmitteert  op 
goede  getuigenisse  van  andere  dien 
sulx  bekent  was,  ende  oock  op  bun 
dagelijcx  goed  comportement;  de- 
wijle  men  in  een  sulcke  gelegen- 
heyd  om  een  be-ginsel  te  maken, 
alle  behoorlijcke  formaliteyten  soo 
naeuwe  niet  can  observeren. 

Wij  houden  des  heeren  H. 
Avondmael  eens  om  de  4  maenden 
bij  provisie,  tot  dat  een  meerder 
frequentie  des  volex  anders  sal 
vereysschen.  De  Walen  ende 
Francoisen  en  hebben  des  sondaegs 
genen  dienst  anders  dan  in  de 
Duytsche  tale:  want  die  geen 
Duytsch  en  verstaen  syn  gansch 
weynich.  Daer  gaet  oock  een 
partije     Walen     na     't     vaderland, 


the  other  is  the  storekeeper  of  the 
Company,  Jan  Huyghens,*  hla 
brother  -  in  -  law,  persons  of  very 
good  character,  as  far  as  I  have 
been  able  to  learn,  having  both 
been  formerly  in  office  in  the 
Church,  the  one  as  deacon,  and  the 
other  as  elder  in  the  Dutch  and 
French  churches,  respectively,  at 
Wesel. 

At  the  first  administration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  which  was  observed, 
not  without  great  joy  and  comfort 
to  many,  we  had  fully  fifty  com- 
municants—  Walloons  and  Dutch; 
of  whom,  a  portion  made  their  first 
confession  of  faith  before  us,  and 
others  exhibited  their  church  cer- 
tificates. Others  had  for- 
gotten to  bring  their  cer-  Lord^a 
tificates  with  them  not  Supper, 
thinking  that  a  church 
would  be  formed  and  established 
here;  and  some  who  brought  them, 
had  lost  them  unfortunately  in  a 
general  conflagration,  but  they 
were  admitted  upon  the  satisfac- 
tory testimony  of  others  to  whom 
they  were  known,  and  also  upon 
their  daily  good  deportment,  since 
we  cannot  observe  strictly  all  the 
usual  formalities  In  making  a  be- 
ginning under  such  circumstances. 

We   administer  the  Holy   Sacra- 
ment   of    the    Lord    once    in    four 
months,  provisionally,  until  a  larger 
number   of  people  shall  otherwise 
require.    The  Walloons 
and    French    have    no    Walloons, 
service     on      Sundays,        French 
otherwise  than   in   the      service. 
Dutch     language,     for 
those  who  understand  no  Dutch  are 
very  few.     A  portion  of  the  Wal- 


*  This  was  probably  the  "  Jan 
Huyck  ",  who  was  the  colleague  ot 
Crol,  as  Krankbesoecker,  at  Manhattan, 
In  1626. 


54 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1628 


'telj  dan  omdat  hare  Jaren  alhler 
geexpireert  sijn,  ofte  oock  omdat 
enige  der  Compagnie  Diet  seer 
dienstich  en  zijn:  sommige  wonen 
verde,  ende  en  souden  bij  grooten 
regen  ofte  onvveder  niet  vrel  con- 
neu  comen,  soo  datse  selve  siilcx 
niet  raedsaem  en  connen  vynden 
enigen  bysonderen  dienst  int 
Fransclie  aen  te  stellen  onder  een 
soo  clyne  lioopken,  ende  dat  noch 
op  het  onseliere.  Evenwel  bet 
Avondmael  werdt  ben  toegedient  in 
de  Franscbe  tale  ende  op  de 
Fransebe  wijse  met  een  roorgaende 
predicatie,  die  icli  in  gescbrifte  Toor 
mij  legge,  soo  lange  ick  mijselven 
de  beboorlijcke  veerdiebeld  niet  toe 
en  vertrouwe.*  Isser  yet  soo  in 
dese  als  in  andere  zaken  daerin 
UWelEerw.  ende  de  E.  E.  Broede- 
ren  des  Kerckenraeds  (welcker  in- 
spectie  over  ons  bier  d'aldernaeste 
is)  noodicb  acbten  ons  te  dienen 
met  enige  correctie,  instructie  ofte 
goede  advysen,  tsal  ons  aengenaem 
sijn  ende  Tvij  sullen  UWelEerTv. 
daer  voren  danck  weten:  dewijle 
wij  alle  geen  ander  oogemerck 
moeten  bebben  dan  d'eere  Godes  in 
de  opbouTvinge  van  sijn  Coninck- 
rijcke  ende  beboudenisse  van  vele 
zielen.  Ick  boude  mij  soo  veel  als 
doenlijck  is  binnen  de  palen  mijnet 
beroupinge.  daerin  ick  mij  oock  ge- 
noecbsamelijck  geoccupeert  vynde. 
Ende  boewel  onse  cleyne  Raed  der 
Kercke,  bestaende  ten  boogsten  (als 
de  Broeder  Crol  bier  beneden  is) 
niet  meer  dan  vrt  4  personen,  de 
alle  (mij  alleene  wtgesondert)  oock 
politycque  bedieningen  bebben,  soo 
verbope  ick  'hocbtans  de  voorral- 
lende  kerckelijcke  dingen  van  de 
borgerlijcke  sorgfuldelijck  te  onder- 


loons  are  going  back  to  the  Father- 
land,    either    because    their    years 
here   are  expired,    or  else  because 
some   are   not   very   serviceable   to 
the  company.     Some  of  them  live 
far  away  and  could  not  well  come 
in  time  of  heavy  rain  and  storm, 
so  that   it  is  not  advisable  to   ap- 
point any  special  service  in  French 
for  so   small   a  number,   and   that 
upon  an  uncertainty.    Nevertheless, 
the  Lord's  Supper  was  administered 
to   them    in   the   French    language, 
and  according  to  the  French  mode, 
with  a  discourse  preceding,  which 
I   had  before  me  in   writing,   as  I 
could    not    trust    myself    extempo- 
raneously.*   If  In  this  and  in  other 
matters    your    Reverence    and    the 
Honorable   Brethren*    of   the    Con- 
sistory, (at  Amsterdam,)  who  have 
special     superintendence     over     us 
here,    deem   it   neces- 
sary to  administer  to    Subjection 
us  any  correction,  in-        to  minia- 
struction  or  good  ad-        ters  at 
vice,  it  will  be  agree-        Amster- 
able  to  us  and  we  will        dam. 
thank  your  Reverence 
therefor;   since   we   must   have   no 
other  object  than  the  glory  of  God 
in  the  building  up  of  his  kingdom 
and   the  salvation   of  many   souls. 
I  keep  myself  as  far  as  practicable 
within    the    pale    of     my    calling, 
wherein    I   find   myself   sufficiently 
occupied.     And  although  our  small 
Consistory     embraces 
at    the    most — when  Consistory: 
Brother  Crol  is  down    Michaelius, 
here  —  not  more  than    Crol, 
four    persons,    all    of    Minuit, 
whom,    myself    alone    Huyghens. 
excepted,     have    also 
public  business  to  attend  to.  I  still 


•  Namelljk,   om   voor  de  vuist  in  het 
Fransch  te  prediken. 


*  That    is    to    preach    extempore    in 
FrencL.. 


*  Named  near  the  end  of  this  letter. 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York. 


DO 


Bcheyden,    opdat    elck    geoccupeert 
blijve   met  siju  eygen  subject. 


hope  to  separate  carefully  the 
ecclesiastical  from  the  civil  matters 
which  occur,  so  that  each  one  will 
be  occupied  with  his  own  subject. 


1628 


Civil  ]\Iatters. 


Ende  hoewel  Tele  dingen  sijn 
mixtl  generis,  ende  de  poiitycque 
ende  kerckelijcke  personen  malcan- 
deren  grootelijcx  connen  dienen, 
soo  moeten  nochtans  te  samen 
gaende  dingen  ende  ampten  niet 
vermengt  maer  onderdscheyden 
werden,  om  alle  verwerringen  ende 
brodderijen  te  verhoeden.  Ende 
alsoo  den  Raedt  deser  plaetse  be- 
staet  uyt  goede  luyden,  die  nochtans 
de  meeste  part  eenvoudigh  sijn 
ende  weynich  geoeffent  in  poii- 
tycque dingen,  soo  ist  dat  ick  wel 
cleyne  swaricheyd  maken  sonde 
hun  in  enige  sware  ofte  dubieuse 
dingen  met  goede  advysen  te 
dienen,  mids  dat  ick  mijselven 
eerst  enichsins  capabel  kende  ende 
daertoe  versocht  wierde;  in  weicken 
gevalle  ick  niet  en  achte  dat  ick 
yet  sonde  misbeuren  ofte  oock  bij 
yemand  in  suspitie  comen  van  een 
kwaaddoener,  often  als  een  die  zich 
met  eens  anders  doen  bemoeit,  te 
wesen. 

Tware  mijns  bedunkens  gansch 
oorboir,  dat  de  Heeren  Bewyntheb- 
beren  dese  plaetse  voorsagen  met 
duydelijcker  ende  naerder  Instruc- 
tien  voor  den  Regeerders,  opdat  se 
mochten  bescheydelijck  weten,  hoe 
sij  sich  in  alle  voorcomende  bur- 
gerlijcke  swaricheden  ende  gaval- 
len  hadden  te  reguleren:  gelijck 
mede  dat  mij  alhier  eens  mochten 
geworden  al  sulcke  Acta  Synodalia, 
als  in  de  Hollandsche  Synoden, 
soo  Particuliere  onses  quartiers,  als 


And  though  many  things  are 
mixti  generis,  and  political  and 
ecclesiastical  persons  can  greatly 
assist  each  other,  nevertheless  the 
matters  and  oflBces  belonging  to- 
gether must  not  be  mixed  but  kept 
separate,  in  order  to  prevent  all 
confusion  and  disorder.  As  the 
Council  of  this  place  consists  of 
good  people,  who  are,  however,  for 
the  most  part  simple  and  have 
little  experience  in  public  affairs, 
I  should  have  little  objection  to 
serve  them  in  any  serious  or  du- 
bious affair  with  good  advice,  pro- 
vided I  considered  myself  capable 
and  my  advice  should  be  asked; 
in  which  case  I  suppose  that  I 
would  not  do  amiss  or  be  suspected 
by  any  one  of  being  a  busy-body 
in  other  men's  matters.*  (1  Pet.  4: 
15.) 


In  my  opinion  it  is  very  expe- 
dient that  the  Honorable  Directors 
of  this  place  should  furnish  plain 
and  precise  instructions  to  their 
Governors  that  they  may  distinctly 
know  how  to  conduct  themselves 
in  all  possible  public  difficulties 
and  events;  and  also  that  I  should 
have  all  such  ACTA  SYNODALIA, 
as  are  adopted  in  the  Synods  of 
Holland;  both  the  special  ones  re- 
lating to  this  region,  and  those 
which  are  provincial  and  national, 


*  Quoted  in  Greek. 


56 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1628 


Provinciale  ende  Nationale,  over 
alle  kerckelijcke  swaricheclen  ge- 
Btelt  zijn,  ofte  ten  minsten  die  na 
het  oordeel  der  E.  E.  Broederen  tot 
Amsterdam  ons  hier  aldermeest 
zouden  connen  te  pas  comen.  Ou- 
dertusschen  soo  hope  ick,  dat  de 
Eaken  hier  wel  gaen  sullen,  soo  wij 
slechs  aen  wederzijden  ons  beste 
doen  in  alle  oprechticheyd  ende 
goeden  yver;  waertoe  gelijck  ik 
mij  van  eersten  aen  ganschelijck 
overgegeven  hebbe,  alsoo  en  hebbe 
Ick  oock  tot  noch  toe  door  des 
Heeren  genade  geen  billijcke  oor- 
zake  om  over  yemand  te  clagen. 
Ende  soo  mij  hier  enige  dubieuse 
dingen  van  enigen  gewichte  sullen 
Yoorvallen,  insonderheid  als  de 
saken  enich  wtstel  connen  lijden, 
soo  sal  ick  mij  refereren  een  der 
E.  E.  Broederen  goede  ende  voor- 
Bichtige  advysen.  aen  de  welcke  ick 
mij  alreede  ganschelijck  recom- 
mandere. 


in  relation  to  ecclesiastical  points 
of  difficulty;  or  at  least  such  of 
them  as  in  the  judgment  of  the 
Honorable  Brethren  at  Amsterdam 
would  be  most  likely  to  be  of  serv- 
ice to  us  here.  In  the  meantime, 
I  hope  matters  will  go  well  here, 
if  only  on  both  sides  we  do  our 
best  in  all  sincerity  and  honest 
zeal;  whereunto  I  have  from  the 
first  entirely  devoted  myself,  and 
wherein  I  have  also  hitherto,  by 
the  grace  of  God,  had  no  just 
cause  to  complain  of  any  one. 
And  if  any  dubious  matters  of  im- 
portance happen  to  me,  and  es- 
pecially if  they  will  admit  of  any 
delay,  I  shall  be  guided  by  the 
good  and  prudent  advice  of  the 
Honorable  Brethren,  (the  Consist- 
ory at  Amsterdam),  to  whom  I 
have  already  wholly  commended 
myself. 


The  Xatives. 


Wat  aengaet  de  natie  deses 
Lands,  die  vynd  ick  gansch  wild 
ende  woest,  vreemd  van  alle  borger- 
lijcke  sedicheyd,  jae  onbeleeft  ende 
bot  als  tuynstaken,  in  alle  boo- 
Bheyd  ende  godloosheyd  gelijck  als 
gepromoveert,  verduyvelde  men- 
schen,  die  niemand  anders  dan  den 
Duyvel  dienen.  wesende  die  Geest, 
dien  sij  op  hare  sprake  Menetto 
noemen:  gelijck  sij  mede  onder 
dien  tytel  begrijpen  alles  wat 
subtyl  ende  geestich  is  ende  beyde 
men  schelijck  vernuft  ende  crach- 
ten  te  boven  gaet.  Sij  gaen  met 
vele  tooverijen,  waerseggingen, 
besweeringen  ende  snoode  consten 
om,  soo  datse  bijna  in  genige 
banden  ofte  sloten  en  sijn  te 
houden.      Sij    sijn    soo    diefachtich 


As  to  the  natives  of  this  country, 
I    find    them    entirely    savage    and 
wild,  strangers  to  all  decency,  yea. 
uncivil  and  stupid  as  garden  poles, 
proficient    in    all    wickedness    and 
godlessness:     devilish     men,     who 
serve   nobody    but    the   devil,    that 
is,   the   spirit,   which,   in   their  lan- 
guage,   they    call    Menetto;    under 
which    title    they    com- 
prehend everything  that       Their 
is     subtle    and     crafty    Character. 
and  beyond  human  skill 
and   power.      They   have   so    much 
witchcraft,  divination,  sorcery,  and 
wicked  tricks,  that  they  cannot  be 
held    in    by    any    bands    or    locks. 
They   are   as  thievish    and   treach- 
erous   as    they    are    tall;    and    in 
cruelty     they     are     altogether     in- 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York. 


57 


1638 


ende  verradlsch  als  sij  groot  zijn: 
ende  in  wreedheyd  sijnse  gansch 
onmenschelijck  ende  meer  dan 
Barbariseb  ende  gaen  d'Africanen 
daerin   al   verde  te  boven.* 

Ick  hebbe  dies  aengaende  aen 
verscheydene  personen  elders  ges- 
chreven,  niet  twijfelende  of  de 
Broader  Crol  sal  daervan  aen 
UWE.  ofte  immers  aan  de  Heeren 
Bewj^ndbebberen  genoech  gesch- 
reven  hebben:  gelijek  oock  van  het 
snoode  verraed  ende  de  moorderijre 
die  de  Mahicans  aent  oppereynde 
deser  Riviere  tegens  het  fort  Oran- 
gien  voorgenomen  badden,*  doch  is 
hun  misluckt  door  een  genadige 
bestieringe  des  Heeren  ons  ten 
goede:  de  -welcke  als  het  hem  ge- 
lieft,  in  dese  onnatuyrlijcke  men- 
schen  onversiens  natuyrlijcke  bewe- 
gingen  vreet  te  storten  om  haer 
doen  te  beletten.  Hoe  men  nu 
best  dese  luyden  tot  de  ware  ken- 
nisse  Godes  ende  des  Middelaers 
Christi  sonde  connen  aenleyden, 
is  qualijck  te  seggen.  Ick  en  can 
mij  selven  niet  genoech  verwonde- 
ren  Trie  UWerE.  ende  velen  an- 
deren  int  Vaderland  soo  vele  op 
de  mouwe  gespeldt  mach  hebben, 
belangende  de  geseggelijckheyd  de- 
8er  lieden,  en  den  goeden  aerdt, 
de  gevoechlijcke  principia  religionis 
ende  vestigia  legis  naturae  die  bij 
haer  souden  sijn:  in  de  welcke  ick 


human,    more  than   barbarous,  far 
exceeding  the  Africans.* 

I  have  written  concerning  these 
things  to  several  persons  elsewhere, 
not  doubting  that  Brother  Crol  will 
have  written  sufficient  to  your 
Reverence,  or  to  the  Honorable 
Directors;  as  also  of  the  base 
treachery,  and  the  murders  which 
the  Mohicans,  at  the  upper  part  of 
this  river,  had  planned  against 
Fort  Orange,t  but,  by  the  gracious 
interposition  of  the  Lord,  for  our 
good  —  who,  when  it  pleased  him, 
knows  how  to  pour,  unexpectedly, 
natural  impulses  into  these  un- 
natural men,  in  order  to  prevent 
them  —  they  did  not 
succeed.  How  these  IMflaculties 
people  can  best  be  of  their 
led  to  the  true  knowl-  conversion, 
edge  of  God  and  of 
the  Mediator  Christ,  is  hard  to  say. 
I  cannot  myself  wonder  enough 
who  it  is  that  has  imposed  so  much 
upon  your  Reverence  and  many 
others  in  the  Fatherland,  concern- 
ing the  docility  of  these  people  and 
their  good  nature,  the  proper  prin- 
cipia religionis  and  vestigia  legis 
naturae  which  should  be  among 
them;  in  whom  I  have  as  yet  been 
able  to  discover  hardly  a  single 
good  point,  except  that  they  do  not 
speak  so  jeeringly  and  so  scof- 
finglj'  of  the  godlike  and  glorious 


*  Hlj  kon  dit  uit  eigene  ondervindlng, 
In  Africa  opgedaan,  getuigen. 

*  Brodhead  spreekt  ook  hlervan  niet: 
alleen  dat  in  het  voorjaar  van  dit  jaar 
1628,  digt  bij  het  fort  Oranje  vijande- 
lijkheden  waren  uitgebroken  tusschen 
de  Mahicans,  ook  elders  Mohieanen  ge- 
heeten,  en  de  Mohawks,  waarbij  de 
eerstgenoemden  verslagen  en  verjaagd 
zijnde,  naar  Connecticut  River  geweken 
waren.  L.  1.  113  en  hier  onder  in  bet 
vervolg  des  briefs. 


*  Ke  could  testify  as  to  this  from  his 
own  experience,  obtained  in  Africa. 

*  Brodhead  does  not  speak  of  this; 
only  that  in  the  spring  of  1628,  close  by 
Fort  Orange,  animosities  had  broken  out 
between  the  Mahicans,  elsewhere  called 
Mohegans,  and  the  Mohawks,  so  that 
the  first  named,  smitten  and  pursued, 
betook  themselves  to  the  Connecticut 
river.  L.  1.  113  and  toward  the  sequel 
of  this  letter. 


58 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1628 


tot  noch  toe  schaers  een  enich  goed 
point  hebbe  connen  bemercken, 
wtgenomen  dat  se  van  de  godde- 
lijcke  ende  glorieiise  majesteyt 
hares  Scheppers  soo  spottelijck 
ende  versmadelijck  niet  en  spreken, 
als  d'Africanen  wel  durven  doen. 
Doch  't  can  wesen  omdat  se  van 
hem  noch  soo  sekere  kennisse  niet 
en  hebben  ofte  oock  wel  gansche 
gene.  Als  wij  tot  hun  van  God 
willen  spreken,  het  schijnt  hun  een 
droom  te  sijn:  ende  wij  sijn  genoot- 
saekt  dat  te  doen  onder  den  name, 
niet  ran  Menotto  dien  sij  kennen 
ende  dienen  (want  dat  ware  een 
Laster),  maer  van  enigen  grooten, 
jae  den  alderoppersten  Sackiema* 
met  welcken  name  sij  —  sonder 
Coningh  levende  —  heten  den  genen 
die  over  enige  hondereen  onder  hun 
hebben  te  gebieden.  die  van  de 
onsen  Sackemakers  genaemt  wer- 
den,  het  welcke  sij  lieden  hoorende 
soo  sullen  sommige  beginnen  te 
grijnen  ende  het  hoofd  te  schudden 
als  over  een  coude  fabel,  ende 
andere  om  met  eeren  ende  vriend- 
schap  uyt  een  sulek  propoost  te 
comen,  sullen  seggen  Orith,  dats 
goed.  Nu.  vrat  middel  om  dit  volck 
ter  salicheyd  te  ontginnen,  ofte 
een  heylsame  bresse  daeronder  te 
maken?  Ick  neme  verloff  om  in 
dit  point  wat  wijdluftiger  met 
Uwe  E.  te  discoureren. 

Hare  tale  die  het  eerste  is  bij 
hun  te  besigen,  dunckt  mij  gansch 
vreembd.  Tele  onder  ons  gemeyne 
volck  hetense  gemeynelijck  een 
lichte  tale  die  haest  geleert  is:  ick 
ben  van  een  andere  opinie.  Want 
degene  die  hare  woorden  enigsins 
verstaen  ende  naspreken  connen, 
die  feylen  grootelijck  in  pronun- 
tiatie    ende    radebraken    se   gelijck 


majesty  of  their  Creator  as  the 
Africans  dare  to  do.  But  it  is  be- 
cause they  have  no  certain  knowl- 
edge of  Him.  or  scarcely  any.  If 
we  speak  to  them  of  God,  it  ap- 
pears to  them  like  a  dream;  and 
we  are  compelled  to  speak  of  him, 
not  under  the  name  of  Menetto, 
whom  they  know  and  serve  —  for 
that  would  be  blasphemy  —  but  of 
one  great,  yea,  most  high,  Sack- 
iema* by  which  name  they  — 
living  without  a  king  —  call  him 
who  has  the  command  over  several 
hundred  among  them,  and  who  by 
our  people  are  called  Sackemakers; 
and  as  the  people  listen,  some  will 
begin  to  mutter  and  shake  their 
heads  as  if  it  were  a  silly  fable; 
and  others,  in  order  to  express  re- 
gard and  friendship  for  such  a 
proposition,  will  say  orith,  that  is, 
good.  Now,  by  what  means  are  we 
to  make  a  salutary  breach  for  the 
salvation  of  this  people?  I  take 
the  liberty  on  this  point  of  enlarg- 
ing someAvhat  to  your   Reverence. 


Their  language,  which  is  the  first 
thing   to  be   employed   with  them, 
methinks      is      entirely 
peculiar.     Many  of  our       Their 
common   people   call    it    langTiage. 
an  easy  language,  which 
is  soon  learned,  but  I  am  of  a  con- 
trary opinion.     For  those  who  can 
understand  their  words  to  some  ex- 
tent and  repeat  them,  fail  greatly 


*  Sackiema,  later  in  de  Noord-Ameri- 
kaansche  "vrerken  steeds  Sachem  ge- 
noemd. 


*  Sackiema;     subsequently     in     North 
American  works  always  called  Sachem. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York. 


59 


1628 


de  spra.ke  Asdod.*   Want  dese  iiatie 
heeft    sware    aspiratie    ende    veie 
litterras  gnttiirales  die  meer  in  de 
kelo    dan   door   den    mond,    tanden 
ende     lippen     geformeert     worden, 
hetwelcke    onse    popeif    ongewent 
signde,   op  sijne   wijse  een  groven 
slacli    daerinne    slaet    ende    meynt 
sijne     dingen     noch     wonder     wel 
gedaen  te  hebben.    'Tis  waer,  men 
can  lichtelijck  soo   vele  leeren   als 
genoech   is  om   te   bandelen,   maer 
dit   gescbiedt  bi jeans   soo   vele  int 
wijsen  met  duym  ende  vingeren  als 
door  spreken;  het  welcke  in  zaken 
van   religie  soo  niet   sonde  connen 
geschieden.     Ooek   soo   scliijnt  het 
dat    se   hare   tale   voor    ons    liever 
occulteren,    dan    behoorlijck    mede- 
deylen,   ten  sij   dan  in   dingen   die 
In    den    dagelijcksehen    handel    te 
passe    comen;    seggende    dat    het 
genoech   is    dat   wij   hen    daerinne 
verstaen  connen:  ende  dan  spreken 
se  noch  maer  halve  redenen,  afge- 
cortede  woorden  ende  noemen  dick- 
wils  een  doiizijne  dingen  ende  noch 
meer;  jae  al  wat  met  malcanderen 
slechts   eenige  rouwe   gelijckenisse 
heeft  noemen   sij   dickvv^ils   al   met 
6nen   name.      In    summa   't   is    een 
gemaeckte  kyndische  tale:  soo  dat 
Belfs  degene  die  beat  van  alien  met 
den   Wilden    connen    spreken    ende 
in  handel  seer  wel  te  rechte  comen. 
nochtans  gansch   blind  staen   ende 
gelijck    als    met    baeuis$  sijn,    als 
sij    de    "Wilden    allene    onder    mal- 
canderen  hooren   spreken. 

*  Hi j  doelt  op  Nehemia  xiil  :24. 


t  Verwant  met  gepeiipel. 

I  Baeuis  (sic).  Kan  het  ook  in  ver- 
band  staan  met  het  Fransche  bijv. 
naamwoord  esbahl? 


in  the  pronunciation,   and  speak  a 
broken  language,  like  the  language 
of  Ashdod.*     For  these  people  have 
difficult   aspirates    and    many    gut- 
tural   letters,     which    are    formed 
more   in   the   throat    than   by    the 
mouth,  teeth  and  lips,  to  which  our 
peoplef    are   not    accustomed,    and 
making    a    bold    stroke    at    which 
they  imagine  that  they  have  accom- 
plished   something    wonderful.      It 
is  true  one  can  learn  as  much  as 
is    sufficient    for    the    purposes    of 
trading,  but  this  occurs  almost  as 
much  by  signs  with  the  thumb  and 
fingers    as   by  ,speaking;    but    this 
cannot  be  done  in  religious  matters. 
It  also  seems  to  us  that  they  rather 
design    to    conceal    their    language 
from  us  than  to  properly  communi- 
cate   it.    except    in    things    which 
happen  in  daily  trade;  saying  that 
it  is  sufficient  for  us  to  understand 
them  in  that;  and  then  they  speak 
only      half     sentences,      shortened 
words,    and   frequently  call   out   a 
dozen  things  and   even  more;  and 
all  things  which  have  only  a  rude 
resemblance    to    each    other,    they 
frequently  call  by  the  same  name. 
In  truth  it  is  a   made-up,   childish 
language;  so  that  even  those  who 
can    best   of    all    speak    with    the* 
savages,    and    get    along    well    in 
trade,    are   nevertheless    wholly   in 
the    dark    and    bewildered^    when 
they     hear     the     savages     talking 
among  themselves. 


*  He  alludes  to  Neh.  13:24:  And  their 
children  spake  half  in  the  speech  of 
Ashdod,  and  could  not  speak  in  the 
Jews  language,     .     .     . 

t  People  —  popel,  connected  with  ge- 
peupel, —  populace,  mob. 

t  Bewildered — baeuis  (sic).  Can  this 
word  stand  in  connection  with  the 
French  adjective  esbahi? 


60 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1028 


Wei,  of  men  dan  d'oude  in  haer 
wesen  liete  ende  aen  den  kinder- 
kens  die  noch  jongh  8ijn.  begonne. 
Tzij  alzoo.  Maer  sij  moesten  van 
joncks  op  van  haren  ouderen  af- 
gesondert  werden,  jae  van  hare 
gansche  Natie:  Want,  sender  dit, 
800  souden  se  de  heydensche  grillen 
ende  duyvelryen  terstond  soo  ge- 
vrent  sijn  als  d'oude,  die  doch  van 
selfs  door  een  rechtveerdich  oordeel 
Godes  in  hare  herten  geknedet  sijn 
van  naturen:  soo  dat  se  eens  diepe 
wortelen  gecrengen  hebbende  door 
gewoonte,  gansch  swaerlijk  daer- 
van  souden  sijn  aftebrengen.  Doch 
dese  afsonderinge  is  qualijck  te 
doen.  Want  d'ouders  hebben  hare 
kinderen  hertelijck  lief,  ende  souden 
seer  noode  daeraf  scheyden,  ende 
als  het  geschiedt  (want  men  heeft 
er  al  prouve  af)  soo  en  sijn  d'ouders 
nimmermeer  te  degen  gerust.  ende 
nemen  se  weder  steels  wijse  wech, 
ofte  maken  dat  se  van  selfs  ont- 
loopen,  Nochtans  dies  weege  mo- 
este  men  uyt,  al  sonde  men  enige 
costen  daertoe  aenwenden.  om  de 
kinderen  door  gaven  ende  onder 
goede  beloften  met  danck  ende 
wllle  der  ouderen  te  becomen.  cm 
de  solve  onder  de  hand  van  enich 
welervaren  ende  godsalich  school- 
meester  te  bestellen.  daer  se  moch- 
ten  geoeffend  Tverden.  niet  alleen- 
lijck  in  onse  tale  te  spreken.  te 
lesen  ende  te  schrijven,  maer  oock 
voornemelijck  in  de  fundamenten 
onser  Christelijcker  religie,  ende 
daer  beneffens  daer  sij  niet  dan 
goede  exempelen  enes  deugtsamen 
levens  en  zagen:  mids  dat  se  noch- 
tans somtijds  onder  malkanderen 
hare  moederlijcke  tale  spraken  om 
de  selve  niet  te  vergeten,  als  ap- 
parentlijck  een  voorneme  middel 
sijnde  om  de  kennisse  der  Religie 
onder  de  gansche  Natie  uytte- 
breiden.  Ondertusschen  en  moeste 
men   niet   vergeten  den  Heere  om 


It  would  be  well  then  to  leave 
the  parents  as  they  are,  and  begin 
with  the  children  who  are  still 
young.  So  be  it.  But  they  ought 
in  youth  to  be  separated  from  their 
parents;  yea,  from  their  whole  na- 
tion. For,  without  this,  they  would 
forthwith  be  as  much  accustomed 
as  their  parents  to  heathenish 
tricks  and  deviltries,  which  are 
kneaded  naturally  in  their  hearts 
By  themselves  through  a  just  judg- 
ment of  God:  so  that  having  once, 
by  habit,  obtained  deep  root,  they 
would  with  great  diffi- 
culty be  emancipated  Duty  of 
therefrom.  But  this  instructing 
separation  is  hard  the  Indian 
to  effect,  for  the  children. 
parents  have  a  strong 
affection  for  their  children,  and  are 
very  loth  to  part  with  them;  and, 
when  they  are  separated  from 
them,  as  we  have  already  had 
proof,  the  parents  are  never  con- 
tented, but  take  them  away  stealth- 
ily, or  induce  them  to  run  away. 
Nevertheless,  although  it  would  be 
attended  with  some  expense,  we 
ought,  by  means  of  presents, 
and  promises  to  obtain  the  children, 
with  the  gratitude  and  consent 
of  the  parents;  in  order  to 
place  them  under  the  instruc- 
tion of  some  experienced  and 
godly  schoolmaster,  where  they 
may  be  instructed  not  only  to 
speak,  read,  and  write  in  our  lan- 
guage, but  also  especially  in  the 
fundamentals  of  our  Christian  re- 
ligion; and  where,  besides,  they 
will  see  nothing  but  the  good  ex- 
ample of  virtuous  living;  but  they 
must  sometimes  speak  their  native 
tongue  among  themselves,  in  order 
not  to  forget  it,  as  being  evidently 
a  principal  means  of  spreading  the 
knowledge  of  religion  through  the 
whole  nation.  In  the  meantime  we 
should    not  forget   to   beseech   the 


OF  THE  State  of  IN^ew  York. 


61 


1628 


sijnen  zegen  te  soliciteren  met  vie- 
rige  ende  geduyrige  gebeden,  die 
doch  dingen  die  ongesien  sijn,  haest 
gesien  ende  gelegen  can  maken, 
die  den  dooden  het  leven  geeft  ende 
roupt  hetgene  dat  niet  en  is  als 
of  het  ware  ende  daertoe  rijck 
sijnde  in  barmharticheyd  hem  ont- 
fermt  wiens  hij  wil:  gelijck  hij 
elch  onser  ontfermt  heeft  om  sijn 
volck  te  wesen,  als  wij  te  voren 
niet  ontfermt  ende  sijn  volck  niet 
en  waren,  ende  heeft  ons,  als  wlj 
met  een  gelijcke  sop  aller  verdor- 
ventheden  overgoten  waren,  afge- 
wassen,  geheyligt  ende  gerechtveer- 
digt,  ons  roupende  tot  de  zalige 
kennisse  sljns  Soons,  ende  uyt  de 
macht  der  duysternisse  tot  sijnen 
wonderbaerlijcken  lichte.  Ende  dit 
achte  Ick  boo  vele  te  noodiger  als 
de  toorn  Godes  ende  vloek  te 
ewaerder  Is,  de  welcke  tot  noch  toe 
op  dese  elendige  natie  bevonden 
wordt  te  leggen.  Magschlen  of 
hem  God  noch  ten  eynde  ont- 
fermde,  opdat  de  volheyd  der  hey- 
denen  allenskens  Inconem  mochte 
ende  het  heyl  onses  Godes  oock  al- 
hier  gesien  mochte  werden  onder 
dese  wilde  ende  woeste  menschen. 
Ick  hope  een  sorgfuldige  ooge  over 
dese  luyden  te  hoiiden  ende  eoo 
vele  van  hare  tale  te  leeren  als 
doenlijck  sijn  sal,  ende  te  prac- 
tizeren  op  betere  gelegentheden 
haerder  onderwijsinge  dan  men  tot 
noch  toe  heeft  connen  vynden. 


Lord,  with  ardent  and  continual 
prayers,  for  His  blessing;  who  can 
make  things  which 
are  unseen  suddenly  Prayer, 
and  opportunely  to  Bovereignty 
appear;  who  gives  ofQod. 
life  to  the  dead;  calls 
that  which  is  not  as  though  It 
were;  and  being  rich  in  mercy  has 
pity  on  whom  He  will;  as  He  has 
compassionated  us  to  be  His  peo- 
ple; and  has  washed  us  clean,  sanc- 
tified us  and  justified  us,  when  we 
were  covered  with  all  manner  of 
corruption,  calling  us  to  the  blessed 
knowledge  of  His  Son,  and  from 
the  power  of  darkness  to  His  mar- 
vellous light.  And  this  I  regard  so 
much  the  more  necessary,  as  the 
wrath  and  curse  of  God,  resting 
upon  this  miserable  people,  is  found 
to  be  the  heavier.  Perchance  God 
may  to  that  end  have  mercy  upon 
them,  that  the  fulness  of  the  hea- 
then may  be  gradually  brought  in, 
and  the  salvation  of  our  God  may 
be  here  also  seen  among  these  wild 
savage  men.  I  hope  to  keep  a 
watchful  eye  over  these  people, 
and  to  learn  as  much  of  their  lan- 
guage as  will  be  practicable,  and 
to  seek  better  opportunities  for 
their  instruction  than  hitherto  it 
has  been  possible  to  find. 


His  Support. 


Wat  nu  mij  selven  belangt  ende 
mijne  huishoudinge:  ick  vynde  mij 
door  het  verlies  van  mijne  goede 
ende  behulpsame  parture  seer 
ontrijft  ende  verlegen.  Want  mijn 
twee  dochterkens  sijn  noch  cleyn; 
dienstmaegden  en  sijn  hier  niet  te 
becomen,  Immers  gene  die  men  mij 


As  to  what  concerns  myself  and 
my   household:   I    find    myself    by 
the   loss  of   my  good   and   helpful 
partner     very     much 
hindered  and  distres-         House- 
sed  —  for     my    two       keeping, 
little    daughters    are 
yet     small;     maid     servants     are 


62 


Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 


1628 


raden  sonde  in  te  nemen:  d'An- 
goolscbe  slavinnen  sijn  oock  die- 
fachtige,  luije  ende  ontijdige  vod- 
den.  Den  jongbman  dien  ick  met 
mij  nam,  hebbe  ick  na  Pinxteren 
weder  laten  gaen,  om  dies  wille, 
dat  ick  bem  buyten'sbuys  tot  ge- 
nicb  landwerk  en  conde  besigen 
ende  binnens  buys  mij  meer  be- 
swaerde.  dan  verlicbtinge  aen- 
brachte;  bij  dient  nu  elders  bij  de 
boeren. 

De  belofte  die  mij  de  Heeren 
Meesters  der  Comp.  gedaen  bedden 
van  enige  mergens  ofte  gemeten 
lands  te  doen  bebben  om  mij  daerop 
te  geneeren  ende  dat  in  de  plaetse 
van  een  yrije  tafel  die  mij  anders- 
sins  toebeboorde,  is  ganscb  nieticb 
ende  ijdel.  Want  bare  E.  E.  wisten 
immers  selve  wel  dat  albier  geen 
peerden  nocb  koeijen  nocb  arbeyds- 
lieden  om  geld  te  necomen  sijn. 
Want  elck  beeft  in  desen  nocb  te 
cort  ende  roept  om  meer.  De  costen 
sonde  ick  mij  ontsien,*  soo  de  ge- 
legenbeyd  slecbts  viele:  ende  dat 
om  ons  eygen  gerijf,  al  waert 
scboon  datter  geen  yoordeel  op 
liepe  (beboudens  nocbtans  dat  d'E. 
E.  Meesters  mij  scbuldicb  blijven 
soo  vele  als  de  weerde  van  een 
vrije  tafel)  want  bier  en  is  gene 
verversscbinge  van  boter  ende 
melck  etc.  te  crijgen.  boewel  bet 
tot  ganscb  dieren  prijs  vercocbt 
(werdt),  want  de  lieden  die  bet 
balen  ofte  bespreken  sijn  jaloers 
over  malcanderen.  Dus  sal  ick  den 
wynter  moeten  overbrengen  sonder 
boter  ende  andere  noodige  dingen, 
die  de  scbepen  niet  mede  en  brengen 
om  bier  verkocbt  te  werden.  Ende 
bet  randzoen  dat  bier  wtgedeelt 
werdt  ende  booge  genoecb  aenge- 
scbreven,  is  al  barde  oude  cost,  ge- 


net bere  to  be  bad,  at  least  none 
wbom  tbey  advise  me  to  take;  and 
tbe  Angola  (female)  slaves  are 
tbievisb,  lazy,  and  useless  trasb. 
The  young  man  wbom  I  took  witb 
me,  I  discharged  after  Whitsuntide, 
for  tbe  reason  that  I  could  not  em- 
ploy him  out-of-doors  at  any  work- 
ing of  the  land,  and  in-doors  be 
was  a  burden  to  me  instead  of  an 
assistance.  He  is  now  elsewhere 
at  service  among  tbe  farmers. 

Tbe  promise  which  the  Honorable 
Directors  of  the  Company  had 
made  me  of  some  acres  or  surveyed 
lands  for  me  to  make  myself  a 
home,  instead  of  a  free  table  which 
otherwise  belonged  to 
me,  is  void  and  use-  Unable  yet 
less.  For  their  Hon-  to  farm. 
ors  well  knew  that 
there  are  no  horses,  cows,  or  labor- 
ers to  be  obtained  here  for  money. 
Every  one  is  short  in  these  par- 
ticulars and  wants  more.  I  should 
not  mind*  the  expense  if  the  op- 
portunity only  offered,  for  the  sake 
of  our  own  comfort,  although  there 
were  no  profit  in  it  (the  Honorable 
Directors  nevertheless  remaining 
indebted  to  me  for  as  much  as  the 
value  of  a  free  table),  for  refresh- 
ment of  butter,  milk,  etc.,  cannot 
be  bere  obtained;  though  some  is 
indeed  sold  at  a  very  high  price, 
for  those  who  bring  it  in  or  be- 
speak it  are  jealous  of  each  other. 
So  I  shall  be  compelled  to  pass 
through  tbe  winter  without  butter 
and  other  necessities,  which  tbe 
ships  do  not  bring  with  them  to  be 
sold  bere.  The  ra- 
tions, which  are  given  Food, 
out  and  charged  for 
high  enough,  are  all  hard  stale 
food,  as  they  are  used  to  on  board 


*  Ontsien    is    hiier    zoo    veel    als    ge- 
troosten. 


*  Not  mind  —  ontzien,  treat  gently;  is 
here  the  same  as  getroosten  —  bear 
patiently. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York. 


63 


1628 


lljck  men  te  schepe  plach  te  ge- 
brnycken:  oock  dickwils  niet  seer 
goed  ende  noch  en  can  men  't  tot 
sijnen  wille  niet  genoech  becomen. 
Ick  begonde  vrij  wat  stercte  te 
crijgen  door  des  Heeren  genade, 
maer  door  dit  harde  voedsel  van 
boontgens,  graeuw  erwten  die  hard 
genoech  zijn,  gort,  stockvis  etc. 
sonder  vele  vernieuwlnge,  doet  dat 
ick  niet  geheel  can  becomen,  ge- 
lijck  ick  anders  wel  sonde.  De 
somer  geeft  wel  yet,  maer  wat  ist 
voor  yemand  die  niet  en  heeft  aen 
hem  selven?  De  Wilden  brengen 
oock  wel  sommige  dingen,  maer  die 
gene  waren  en  heeft,  als  messen, 
coralen  ende  diergelijcke  ofte  seeu- 
wan,*  die  en  can  niet  te  rechte 
comen.  Ende  hoewel  de  lieden 
sulcke  dingen  verhandelen  voor 
eerlijcke  waren,  soo  en  weet  ick 
noch  niet  of  het  hun  al  vrij  staet 
na  de  wetten  der  Comp.  Ick  hebbe 
nu  wt  Holland  meest  alle  noodige 
dingen  ontboden:  ende  verhope  den 
wynter  met  harden  ende  schralen 
cost  noch  overtebrengen. 

Het  land  geeft  vele  goede  dingen 
tot  den  leeftocht,  maer  sij  sijn  al 
te  ongereedt  ende  wild  te  soecken: 
daer  moeste  beter  ordre  gestelt 
werden,  ende  luyden  sijn  die  ver- 
stand  ende  gereedschap  hadden  om 
alles  in  sijn  behoorlijck  saysoen 
optesoecken,  te  vangen  ende  bijeen 
te  brengen:  gelijk  ongetvrijffelt  al- 
lenskens  sal  geschieden.  Onder- 
tusschen  soo  wilde  ick  wel  den  E. 
E.  Heeren  Bewynthebberen  beleef- 
delijck  gevraegt  hebben,  hoe  ick 
best  de  gelegenheyd  sal  connen  heb- 
ben om  een  partije  lands  te  beslaen 


ship,  and  frequently  not  very  good, 
and  even  so  one  cannot  obtain  as 
much  as  he  desires.  I  began  to 
get  considerable  strength  by  the 
grace  (favor)  of  the  Lord,  but  in 
consequence  of  this  hard  fare  of 
beans  and  gray  peas,  which  are 
hard  enough,  barley,  stockfish,  etc., 
without  much  change  I  cannot  fully 
recuperate  as  I  otherwise  would. 
The  summer  yields  something,  but 
what  of  that  for  any  one  who  has 
no  strength?  The  savages  also 
bring  some  things,  but  one  who  has 
no  wares,  such  as  knives,  beads, 
and  the  like,  or  seewan,*  cannot 
come  to  any  terms  with  them. 
Though  the  people  trade  such 
things  for  proper  wares,  I  know  not 
whether  it  is  permitted  by  the  laws 
of  the  Company.  I  have  now 
ordered  from  Holland  most  all 
necessaries;  but  I  expect  to  pass 
through  the  winter  with  hard  and 
scanty  food. 


The  country  yields  many  good 
things  for  the  support  of  life,  but 
they  are  all  too  unfit  and  wild  to 
be  gathered.  Better  regulations 
should  be  established,  as  doubtless 
will  gradually  be  the  case,  so  that 
people  who  have  the  knowledge 
and  implements  for  seeking  out  all 
kinds  of  things  in  their  season  shall 
secure  and  gather  them.  In  the 
meanwhile,!  wish  the 
Honorable  Directors  Heed  of 
to  be  courteously  en-  land, 

quired  of,  how  I  can 
have  the  opportunity  to  possess  a 


♦  Seeuwan,  eene  soort  van  walvisch- 
baard  of  balein,  in  den  ruilhandel 
destijds  aldaar  gebruikelijk  en  bij  de 
Inboorlingen  zeer  gewild.  Zie  A.v.d. 
Donck,  Beseher.  van  Nieuw-Nederlant, 
2de  dr.  Amst.  1656.  bl.  56,  57. 


*  Seewan  —  a  sort  of  whale  fin  or 
whale  bone,  very  useful  in  the  barter 
of  those  times,  and  with  the  natives 
much  in  demand.  See  Vander  Donck's 
Description  of  New  Netherland,  2nd  ed., 
1656,  56,  57. 


64 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1628 


ende  mlj  eelven  daerop  (oock  tot 
mljnen  costen)  te  geneeren?  Want 
eoo  lange  hier  niet  meer  van  gerief 
blj  den  landlleden  te  crijgen  is  ende 
ick  genoodzaeckt  sonde  wesen  tot 
hooge  costen  met  vele  moeyten  ende 
peryckel  alles  wt  het  Vaderland  te 
ontbieden  ofte  hIer  op  dit  enckel 
sober  ende  hard  rantzoen  te  leven: 
dat  sonde  mij  ende  mijne  kinderen 
gansch  slecht  bevallen.  0ns  ont- 
breken  noch  10  ofte  12  boeren  met 
peerden,  koeijen  ende  arbeydslieden 
naer  advenant  om  onsselven  te 
bedroopen  van  brood,  suyvel  ende 
behoorlijcke  verversschinge.  Want 
hier  sijn  nabij  gelegene  plaetsen, 
die  lieht  sijn  te  beschermen  ende 
seer  bequaem:  die  men  oock  den 
Wilden  om  een  geringe  snuyster- 
inge  sonde  eonnen  afcoopen,  ofte 
oock  sender  peryckel  innemen: 
dewijle  wij  daerop  meer  dan  ge- 
noechsame  actien  op  hebben  de 
welcke  nooyt  afgedaen  en  sijn  ge- 
worden,  maer  met  sulken  insiclit 
altijd  gereserveert. 


portion  of  land,  and  at  my  own  ex- 
pense to  support  myself  upon  It. 
For  as  long  as  there  is  no  more 
accommodation  to  be  obtained  here 
from  the  country  people,  I  shall  be 
compelled  to  order  everything  from 
the  Fatherland  at  great  expense 
and  Tvitli  much  risk  and  trouble,  or 
else  live  here  upon  these  poor  and 
hard  rations  alone,  which  would 
badly  suit  me  and 
my  children.  TTe  Need  of 
want  ten  or  twelve  farmers, 
farmers  with  horses, 
cows  and  laborers  in  proportion,  to 
furnish  us  with  bread  and  fresh 
butter,  milk  and  cheese.  There  are 
convenient  places  which  can  be 
easily  protected  and  very  suitable, 
which  can  be  bought  from  the  sav- 
ages for  trifling  toys,  or  could  be 
occupied  without  risk,  because  we 
have  more  than  enough  shares 
which  have  never  been  cleared  but 
have  been  always  reserved  for  that 
purpose. 


Condition  of  the  Colony. 


De  negotie  In  de  vellen*  valt  slap 
ende  dat  van  wegen  een  nieuwe 
oorloge  der  Maechibaeys  tegen  de 
Mahicans  aent  oppereynde  van  dese 
riviere.  Daer  vallen  wreede  moor- 
derijen  tusschen  beyden.  De  Ma- 
hicans sijn  vluchtich;  ende  hun 
lant  staet  open,  seer  vruchtbaer 
ende  plaisierich:  het  jammert  ons 
alleen  dat  men  geen  volck,  noch 
ordre  en  heeft  van  de  Heeren 
Meesters  om  het  selve  te  besetten. 
Men  velt  hier  vele  houts  om  na  't 
Vaderland  te  voeren,  maer  de 
schepen  sijn  te  weynich  om  vele 
te  laden.    Men  maeckt  enen  meulen 


The  business  of  furs*  is  dull  on 
account    of   the    new    war    of    the 
Maechibaeys      (Mohawks)     against 
the  Mohicans  at  the  upper  end  of 
this    river.      There    have    occurred 
cruel  murders  on  both 
sides.     The  Mohicans         Wars, 
have    fled    and    their    Industries, 
lands  are  unoccupied 
and  are  very  fertile  and  pleasant. 
It  grieves  us  that  there  are  no  peo- 
ple, and  that  there  is  no  regulation 
of   the  Honorable  Directors  to  oc- 
cupy  the    same.      They    fell   much 
wood  here  to  carry  to  the  Father- 
land,  but  the  vessels  are  too   few 


Bevervellen. 


*  The  bearer-skins. 


or  THE  State  of  [NTew  York. 


65 


1628 


te  wynde*  om  hoiit  te  sagen;  ge- 
lijck  wlj  oock  al  enen  meelmolen 
hebben.  Men  backt  hier  stenen 
doch  sij  vallen  gansch  slecht.  Om 
calck  te  branden  isser  goede 
stoSe  namelijck  oesterschelpen  bij 
menichten.  De  potaschbrandinge 
en  siiccedeert  niet  ende  de  meester 
met  sijne  arbeydslieden  sijn  ar- 
beydslieden  sijn  alle  grootelijcx 
yerabnseert.f 

Men  is  besich  met  een  forteresse 
te  bouwen  van  goede  berghstenen, 
die  niet  verde  van  hier  bij  menich- 
ten leggen.  De  Heere  bonwe 
siechts  mede,  ende  sij  de  wachter 
op  onse  muyren.  Men  siet  hier 
goede  commoditeyt  om  sout  te 
maken:  want  daer  sijn  gelegene 
plaatsen,  bet  water  is  soilt  genoech 
ende  'ten  onbreeckt  niet  aen  hitte 
In  den  somer.  Voorts  wat  de 
wateren  al  geven  van  vele  soorten 
visch  beyde  in  zee  ende  in  de 
rivieren:  wat  het  land  al  heeft  van 
gevogelte,  wild  ende  bosschagien, 
van  eerdvruchten,  boomvruchten, 
wortelen,  gewassen,  cruyden  soo 
om  te  eten  als  medicinale  ende 
met  de  welcke  wonderlijcke  curen 
gewrocht  connen  werden,  soo  (sou) 
gansch  langh  vallen  om  te  ver- 
halen,  ende  ick  en  sonde  't  soo 
geheel  pertinent  alsnoch  niet  con- 
nen doen.  Uwe  E.  heeft  daer  af 
ten  deele  al  kennisse  gecregen  ende 
sal  wt  andere  noch  meer  be- 
scheyds  connen  vernemen.  Het 
land  is  goed  ende  playsierich,  de 
lucht  is  gesond  niet  tegenstaende 
de  subyte  veranderinge  van  coude 
ende  hitte.  De  sonne  is  gansch 
heet,  de  wynter  fel  ende  strenge 
ende  duyrt  ruym  soo  lange  als  in 

*  Windmolen. 


to  take  much  of  it.  They  are  mak- 
ing a  windmill*  to  saw  the  wood 
and  we  also  have  a  gristmill. 
They  bake  brick  here,  but  it  Is  very 
poor.  There  is  good  material  for 
burning  lime,  namely,  oyster  shells, 
in  large  quantities.  The  burning 
of  potash  has  not  succeeded;  the 
master  and  his  laborers  are  all 
greatly  disappointed. t 

We  are  busy  now  in  building  a 
fort  of  good  quarry  stone,  which  is 
to  be  found  not  far  from  here  in 
abundance.  May  the  Lord  only 
build  and  watch  over  our  walls. 
There  is  good  opportunity  for  mak- 
ing salt,  for  there  are  convenient 
places,  the  water  is  salt  enough, 
and  there  is  no  want  of  heat  in 
summer.  Besides,  as  to  the  waters, 
both  of  the  sea  and  rivers,  they 
yield  all  kinds  of  fish;  and  as  to 
the  land,  it  abounds  in  all  kinds 
of  game,  wild  and  in  the  groves, 
with  vegetables,  fruits,  roots,  herbs 
and  plants,  both  for  eating  and 
medicinal  purposes;  and  with  which 
wonderful  cures  can  be  effected, 
which  it  would  take  too  long  to 
tell,  nor  could  I  do  justice  to  the 
tale.  Your  Reverence  has  already 
obtained  some  knowledge  thereof 
and  will  be  able  to 
obtain  from  others  Climate, 
further  information. 
The  country  is  good  and  pleasant, 
the  climate  is  healthy,  notwith- 
standing the  sudden  changes  of 
cold  and  heat.  The  sun  is  very 
warm,  the  winter  is  strong  and 
severe  and  continues  fully  as  long 
as  in  our  country.  The  best  rem- 
edy is  not  to   spare   the  wood,  of 

*  Meiilen  te  wynde  —  windmolen,  wind- 
mill. 


t  D.   i.   vinden  zich  bedrogen. 


t  Verabuseert  —  rinden  zlch  bedrogen 
—  find  themselves  defrauded. 


66 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1628 


onse  landen.  De  beste  remedie  is 
geen  hout  te  sparen:  want  't  isser 
genoech.  ende  sich  wel  te  decken 
met  riiyge  yellen,  die  men  oock  tot 
sijn  gerief  licht  can  becomen. 

Den  oogst  is  Gode  loff  in  de 
scbuyre  ende  beter  geslaegt  dan 
ooyt  te  Yoren:  daer  was  oock  wat 
meer  toe  gedaen  dan  te  voren.  De 
grond  is  vrncbtbaer  genoecb  om  den 
arberd  te  beloonen,  maer  men  meet 
hem  wel  snyveren,  alle  deugt  doen 
ende  cnltiA'eren,  gelijck  onse  landen 
ook  yereysscben.  Het  beeft  tot 
nocb  toe  reel  te  arger  gegaen 
omdat  yele  lieden  niet  seer  arbeyd- 
saem  en,  waren  ofte  oock  baren 
beboorlijcken  nooddruft  niet  en 
cregen  bij  gebreck  yan  brood  ende 
toespijse.  Dan  bet  begint  nu  alles 
bet  te  gaen  ende  bet  siet  nu  gebeel 
uyt  een  ander  ooge:  soo  de  Meesters 
slecbts  goede  arbeyders  senden  ende 
op  alle  dingen  ordre  geyen  om  bem 
met  die  dingen  die  dit  land  selye 
geeft  ten  besten  te  geneeren. 


which  there  is  enough,  and  to  coyer 
one's  self  with  rough  skins,  which 
can  also  easily  be  obtained. 


The  baryest,  God  be  praised,  is 
in  the  barns,  and  is  larger  than 
eyer  before.  There  has  been  more 
work  put  on  it  than 
before.  The  ground  Harvests. 
is  fertile  enough  to 
reward  labor,  but  they  must  clear 
it  well,  and  till  it,  just  as  our  lands 
require.  Until  now  there  has  been 
distress  because  many  people  were 
not  yery  industrious,  and  also  did 
not  obtain  proper  sustenance  for 
want  of  bread  and  other  neces- 
saries. But  affairs  are  beginning 
to  put  on  a  better  appearance,  if 
only  the  Directors  will  send  out 
good  laborers  and  exercise  all  care 
that  they  be  maintained  as  well  as 
possible  with  what  this  country 
produces. 


His  Eelatio^  to  the  Church  of  Holland. 


Ick  hadde  wel  yoor,  ende  oock 
belooft  (te  schrijyen)  aen  de  E.  E. 
Broederen  Rudolphum  Petri,  Joan- 
nem  Sylyium,  ende  aen  D.  Cloppen- 
burgium,  die  neffens  Uwe  E.  met 
de  besorginge  deses  quartiers  was 
belastet;*  doch  alsoo  dit  langh 
sonde  yallen,  den  tijd  cort  is  ende 
mijne  occupatien  yoor  dees  tijd 
yele,  soo  sal  Uwe  E.  gelieyen  mijne 
yriendelijcke  ende  beleefde  groeten- 
isse   aen  hare  E.   E.   te  doen   ende 


I  had  promised  (to  write)  to  the 
Honorable  Brethren,  Rudolpbus 
Petri,  Joannes  Sylyius  and  Domine 
[Joannes]  Cloppenburg,  who,  with 
your  Reyerence.  were  charged* 
with  the  superintendence  of  these 
regions;  but  as  this  would  take 
long  and  the  time  is  short,  and  my 
occupations  at  the  present  time 
many,  will  your  Reyerence  be 
pleased  to  giye  my  friendly  and 
kind   regards   to  their   Reyerences, 


*  Belastet.  Dit  was  dus  door  de 
Noord-Holl.  Synodus  aan  eenige  Am- 
eterdamsche  predikanten  opgedragen. — 
De  in  den  tekst  genoemde  predikanten 
waren  alien  destijds  nog  te  Amsterdam 
werkzaam;  Sylvius  en  Tri^landius  sints 
1610,  Petri  sints  1612,  en  Cloppenburg 
sints  1621. 


*  Belastet  —  charged,  burdened.  This 
duty  had  been  thus  committed  to  cer- 
tain Amsterdam  preachers  by  the  Synod 
of  North  Holland.  The  preachers  named 
In  the  text  were  all  at  this  time  active 
In  Amsterdam;  Sylvius  and  Triglandius 
since  1610,  Petri  since  1612,  and  Clop- 
penburg ginfe  1621. 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York. 


67 


1628 


mij  te  excuseren.  mids  dat  ick 
haren  schuldenaer  blijve,  om  mijne 
belofte  de  naeste  reyse  (soo  God 
wil)  te  vervullen.  Wilt  oock  mijne 
liertgrondelijcke  groetenlsse  doen 
aen  E.  D.  Triglandium  ende  voorts 
alle  de  Broederen  des  Kercken- 
raeds,  aen  welcke  alle  ick  voor  dees 
tijd  niet  noodich  en  achte  bijscon- 
derlijck  te  schrijven,  als  die  van 
mij  gemaeckt  werden  participanten 
in  dese  tijdingen,  ende  geerne 
tevreden  sijn  uyt  Uwer  E,  hand 
geaest  te  werden.  Soo  't  Uwer  E. 
gelegen  sal  zijn  ofte  yemand  der 
E.  Broederen  om  herwaerds  aen 
mij  een  letterken  te  schrijven  van 
dingen  daeraen  mij  enigsins  mochte 
gelegen  zijn:  het  sonde  mij  (bier 
levende  in  een  woest  land,  buyten 
alle  tgeselschap  van  onse  orden) 
gansch  vermakelijck  sijn.  ende  een 
spore  om  den  E,  E.  Broederen,  van 
alles  dat  bier  sonde  mogen  voor- 
vallen,  des  te  vlijtiger  overte- 
schrijven.  Doch  vooral  en  dient 
niet  vergeten  dat  mijne  hertelijcke 
groete  geschieden  aen  Uwer  E.  be- 
minde  huysvrouwe  ende  swager 
dewelcke  mij  niet  dan  alle  vriend- 
schap  ende  deugt  (oock  boven  mijne 
weerde)  bewesen  hebben.  Soo  daer 
yets  ware  waerin  ick  hen  ende 
Uwer  E.  wederomme  conde  dienen 
ofte  gratiflceren,  het  sonde  mij  van 
herten  lief  zijn  ende  ick  sonde  mij 
in  genige  dingen  willen  te  nooden 
maken.* 

Hiermede  dan  eindigende,  ende 
mij  selven  in  Uwer  E.  gunste  ende 
godsalige  gebeden  tot  den  Heere 
bevelende: 

Eerweerde  Welgeleerde  Heere, 
beminde  Br.  in  Christo  ende  goed- 
gunstige  vriend, 


and  to  excuse  me,  on  condition  that 
I  remain  their  debtor  to  fulfill  my 
promise  —  God  willing  —  the  next 
time.  Will  you,  also,  give  my  sin- 
cere respects  to  the  Reverend 
Domine  Triglandius,  and  to  all  the 
Brethren  of  the  Consistory  (at  Am- 
sterdam) besides,  to  all  of  whom  I 
have  not  thought  it  necessary  to 
write  particularly  at  this  time,  as 
they  are  made  by  me  participants 
in  these  tidings,  and  are  content  to 
be  fed  from  the  hand  of  your 
Reverence.  If  it  shall  be  conveni- 
ent for  your  Rever- 
ence or  any  of  the  Correspond- 
Reverend  Brethren  to  ence. 

write  to  me  a  letter 
concerning  matters  which  might  be 
important  in  any  degree  to  me,  it 
would  be  very  interesting  to  me, 
living  here  in  a  wild  country  with- 
out any  society  of  our  order,  and 
would  be  a  spur  to  write  more  as- 
siduously to  the  Reverend  Brethren 
concerning  what  may  happen  here. 
And  especially  do  not  forget  my 
hearty  salutations  to  the  beloved 
wife  and  brother-in-law  of  your 
Reverence,  who  have  shown  me 
nothing  but  friendship  and  kind- 
ness above  my  deserts.  If  there  is 
anything  in  which  I  can  in  return 
serve  or  gratify  your  Reverence,  I 
shall  be  glad  to  do  so,  and  shall 
not  be  delinquent  in  anything.* 


Concluding  then  herewith,  and 
commending  myself  to  your  Rever- 
ence's favor  and  to  your  holy  pray- 
ers to  the  Lord. 

Reverend  and  Learned  Sir,  Be- 
loved Brother  in  Christ,  and  Kind 
Friend: 


*  Beteekent 
schieten? 


dit: 


willen      te      kort 


*  Willen  te  nooden  maken:  —  This 
means  —  to  be  willing  to  fall  short  — 
in  nothing. 


68 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1628 


Soo  wil  ick  Uwe  E.  ende  alien 
den  uwen  den  Almogenden  God  in 
genaden  tot  een  langduyrige  voor- 
spoed  ende  gesondheyd  ende  tot 
een  eeuwlge  zalictieyd  van  herten 
bevolen  hebben. 

Wt    het    Eyland    van    Manhatas 
desen    lln    August!    Ao,     1628,    in 
Nieuw-Nederland,  bij  mij  Uwer  E. 
in  Cbristo  gansch  dienst  willige. 
JONAS   MICHAELIUS. 


Heartily  commending  your  Rev- 
erence and  all  of  you  to  Almighty 
God,  to  continue  health  and  pros- 
perity, and  to  eternal  salvation,  by 
His  Grace. 

From  the  island  of  Manhatas  in 
New  Netherland,  this  11th  day  of 
August,  Anno  1628,  by  me,  your 
Reverence's  very  obedient  servant 
in  Christ. 

JONAS   MICHAELIUS. 


i 


I 


Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius. 

Prom  Van  der  Aa's  Biograpliical  Dictionary. —  Michaelius, 
JonaSj  cousin  (neef)  of  the  following,  born  in  1577,  probably  at 
Hoom,  allowed  himself  to  be  inscribed  as  a  Member  of  the  Uni- 
versity (Academie-burgher,  or  citizen  of  the  University)  at  Ley- 
den.  He  became  pastor  at  I^ieuwboksw^oude  in  16 12,  and  at  Hem 
in  1614.  Ten  years  later  in  1624,  he  sailed  with  the  fleet  of  Piet 
Heyn,  to  San  Salvador  in  Brazil,  where  he  had  been  appointed 
as  the  permanent  minister.  The  next  year,  when  we  (the  Dutch) 
had  to  vacate  again  this  strong  point,  the  Eef ormed  minister  left 
also  with  the  Dutch.  In  1625,  or  in  the  beginning  of  1626,  we 
find  him  laboring  in  Guinea,  at  the  fort  St.  George  del  Mina, 
(d'Elmina).  In  1627  he  returned  to  the  Fatherland.  In  Janu- 
ary, 1628,  he  sailed  with  his  wife  and  three  children  to  I^orth 
America  and  became  the  first  minister  of  the  Dutch  Reformed 
Church  at  Manhattan  or  l^ew  Amsterdam,  subsequently  called 
'New  York.  Thence  he  wrote  on  August  11,  1628,  an  important 
letter  to  Adrian  Smoutius,  minister  in  Amsterdam.  This  letter 
was  communicated  by  Mr.  Bodel  ISTijenhuis  to  the  Archives 
(Archief)  of  Profs.  Kist  and  Moll,  Part  I,  pp.  365  et  seq.  It 
seems  that  about  the  year  1633  he  returned  again  to  the  Father- 
land or  removed  as  minister,  to  Virginia."^     In  1637  and  1638 

♦  This  is  plainly  an  error  in  Van  der  Aa.  There  could  have  been  no  reason  for 
his  going  to  (the  present  state  of)  Virginia,  where  there  were  no  Dutch;  but  the 
term  Virginia  is  frequently  employed,  as  inclusive  of  New  Netherland.  The  extracts 
given  below  in  this  work  abundantly  show  this.  See  such  extracts.  See  also  Henry 
C.  Murphy's  remarks  on  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius  in  Col.   Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  759-761. 


Seal  of  the  Chassis  of  Amsterdam,  adopted  1638. 

An  open  Bible  with  an  Olive  Branch  lying  upon  it  and  with  the  words  "  Veritas  et 
Pax  "  encircling  it  and  the  word  "  Jehovah  "  in  Hebrew  letters,  over  the  Bible. 

Photographed  from  a  wax  impression  on  a  letter  of  the  Classis  written  in  1772  in 
which  they  grant  independence  to  the  Reformed  Church  in  America. 


OF  THE  State  of  ^ew  Yokk.  69 

lie  is  again  met  with  in  the  Netherlands,  and  was  again  recom- 
mended by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Directors  of  the 
West  India  Company. 

See  J.  Hoornbech,  Sorg  en  Raad  aang.  de  Evangelie-prediking 
in  Oost  en  West  Indie,  's  Gravenh.  1Y32  (achter  W.  Hogerwaarts 
Afscheidsreden  tot  de  gemeynte  op  Batavia,  bl.  53,  55;  M.  Yeeris, 

The  following  Tablet  has  recently  been  erected  in  the  Middle  Dutch  Church, 
New  York  City,  2nd  Avenue,  near  7th  St,  to  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius. 

TO  THE   GLORY  OF  GOD 

AND  IN  MEMORY  OF 

THE   REVEREND   JONAS   MICHAELIUS 

THE   FIRST   MINISTER   OF   THE   DUTCH   REFORMED   CHURCH 

IN   AMERICA. 

Who,  A.D.  162S,  organized,  in  New  Amsterdam,  this  Church,  when  "  full  Qfty 
communicants,  received  the  Lord's  Supper  —  not  without  joy  and  comfort  to  many." 

From  this  "  beginning  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  the  Son  of  God,"  this  Church 
has  "  continued  steadfastly  in  the  apostles  doctrine  and  fellowship,  and  in  breaking 
of  bread  and  in  prayers." 

"  Mid  toil  and  tribulation. 

And  tumult  of  her  war. 
She  waits  the  consummation 

Of  peace  for  evermore; 
Till  with  the  vision  glorious 

Her  longing  eyes  are  blest. 
And  the  great  Church  victorious 

Shall   be  the  Church  at   rest." 


1628 


ERECTED,   A.D.   1900. 


Note  on  John  Michaelius,  cousin  of  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius,  who  was  the  first 
minister  in  New  Amsterdam. 

Michaelius,  Johannes,  or  Michiolsz.  Jan,  called  also  Johannes  Michaelius  Kerati- 
nus,  (Horn),  after  his  birth  place  Hoorn,  was  a  pupil  of  Beeckman,  and  preceptor  of 
the  third  class  at  the  Illustrious  School  at  Dordrecht.  He  lived  during  the  first 
half  of  the  XVIIth  century,  and  was,  in  his  day,  a  philosopher  not  without  renown, 
as  well  as  a  Greek,  Latin,  and  Dutch  poet.  His  bosom  friend  and  brother  in  arts, 
John  van  Someren,  secretary  of  the  "  Chambre-mie-partie,"  (a  Chamber  of  Rhet- 
oric) and  Pensionary  (or  Corporation  Counsel)  of  Nymegen,  somewhere  calls  him 
"  Magnus  Philosophus  ".  His  "  Libellus  de  Oculo,  seu  de  natura  visus  ";  his  "  Dia- 
logus  de  aeternitate  ",  Dordrechti,  H.  Essaeus,  1(545,  12  mo.;  and  some  philosophical 
and  mathematical  treatises,  which  were  never  published,  would  have  given  him  a 
right  to  this  title.  Of  his  Greek  muse,  we  possess  as  a  specimen,  only  a  "  Te- 
trastichon  ",  among  the  poemata  at  the  back  of  the  aforesaid  Libellus;  of  his  Latin 
muse  there  are  more  at  hand,  such  as  "  Carmina  Sacra  ";  "  Elogla  ";  one  entitled  — 
"Virgo   Dordracena";   another,    "  De   Continibus  70  pagis   Dordrechtum   circumja- 


1628 


70  Ecclesiastical  Hecoeds 

Reg.  V.  ]Sr.  HolL  bl.  318;  v.  d.  Aa,  Aardrijksk.     Woordenb.  D. 
yiii.)  bl.  92;  vooral  Bodel  Nijenliuis,  t.  a.  p. 

Adrianus  Smoutius. 

'Note  on  Eev.  Adrianns  Smoutius,  to  whom  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius 

addressed  his  letter  in  1628. 

For  many  years  Rev.  Adrian  Smoutius  had  borne  an  active  part 
in  the  controversies  between  Cah^nists  and  Arminians.  In  1606 
he  was  T\"ithout  charge.  Previously,  he  had  been  pastor  of  the 
church  of  Rhoon,  a  village  a  few  miles  south  of  Delftshaven,  but 
across  the  river  Maas.  Under  the  lead  of  an  older  minister,  a 
pastor  at  Rotterdam,  he  came  into  conilict  in  1606  with  the  magis- 
trates of  that  city  on  account  of  their  tolerance  of  Arminians. 
On  July  20,  1613,  he  was  summoned  before  the  States  for  a 
seditious  publication.  He  was  condemned  to  live  at 's  Gravesande, 
which  is  south  of  the  Hague  and  west  of  Delft,  and  to  remain 

centibus  inundatione  horribile  submersis  ".  [This  refers  to  the  great  flood  of  1477, 
when  the  Biesborch  was  formed.]  Of  his  Dutch  poems  we  possess  only  a  tragedy 
entitled,  "  Julius  Caesar  ofte  Kaisermoorders  ", —  Emperor  murderers,  or  Regicides, 
Dordrecht,  H.  van  Esch,  1645,  12  mo.  This  pleased  the  poet  van  Someren  so  greatly 
that  he  composed  on  it  an  "  Epitymbion  ".  He  wrote  poetry  also  after  the  style 
of  Huyghens  and  Hooft,  as  is  evident  from  a  certain  poem  of  his,  written  in  the 
style  wherein  these,  as  well  as  Tesselschade  and  Anna  Roemer  Visschers,  (two 
sisters),  J.  van  Brosterhuyzen,  G.  R.  Doublet,  and  others,  have  written. 

He  also  composed  a  few  Latin  verses  (to  be  placed)  under  the  likeness  of  John 
van  Beverwyck. 

Under  his  own  likeness,  by  Joshua  Offermans,  are  two  lines  by  Brey;  under  an- 
other are  these,  by  van  Someren: 

"  Wat  oyt  het  prachtigh  Griekenlandt, 
En  Rome  vol  van  wysheyt  vant, 
Dat  schuylt  hier  in  dit  deftig  hooft. 
Wiens  naem  geen  sterflickheyt  en  dooft." 

(Whate'er  the  splendid  land  of  Greece, 

And  Roman  wisdom  found  t'  increase, 
This  hides  here  in  this  stately  head, 
Whose  name  oblivion  need  not  dread.) 

The  same  poet  composed  an  Epitymbion  in  obitum  lectissimae  foeminae  Jacobae 
Michaelius,  V.  Kal.  1&44  —  (Month  not  given.) 

Michaelius  died  August  3,  1646.  See  Hoeufft,  Parn.  Belg.  p.  174;  van  Someren. 
Uysp,  der  Vem.  passim.;  Schotel,  Gesch.  Lett,  en  Oudheidk.  Avoudst.  bl.  99;  Biidr. 
tot  de  Gesch.  v.d.  Geest  en  Wereldl.  Kleed.  D.  I.  bl.  57;  111.  school,  bl.  82-84,  225.— 
From  A.  J.  van  der  Aa's  Biographisch  Woordenboek. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  71 

there  until  further  orders.  But  in  1617  he  went  to  Amsterdam 
in  defiance  of  orders,  but  he  had  enrolled  himself  as  a  citizen,  as 
a  precautionary  measure. 

In  1617  a  few  bright  spirits  in  the  literary  life  of  the  Capital 
had  formed  an  "  Akademie ''  for  the  encouragement  of  litera- 
ture, among  whose  members  was  Vondel,  the  famous  poet.  But 
this  ^'  Academy '',  says  Jonckbloet,  with  its  poets,  found  in 
domine  Smout  a  vehement  antagonist,  not  so  much  on  literary 
grounds,  as  because  these  gifted  minds  occupied  themselves 
mainly  in  satirizing  the  prevailing  clericalism  of  the  day.  Smout 
signally  failed  in  "  speaking  the  truth  in  love  ".  He  was  so  vio- 
lent and  unmeasured  in  his  denunciations  that  Burgomaster  Hooft, 
the  father  of  the  poet  and  historian,  once  asked  him,  '^  if  he 
could  point  to  any  author  who  could  equal  him  in  slander  and 
vituperation  ". 

He  was  again  complained  of  because  of  an  attack  on  a  pastor 
of  Rotterdam  whom  he  charged  with  being  a  follower  of  Arminius. 
He,  however,  appealed  to  his  privilege  as  a  citizen,  which  would 
have  compelled  the  aggrieved  party  to  prosecute  him  in  Amster- 
dam, which  he  did  not  care  to  do.  In  August,  1618,  he  was 
permitted  by  the  States  to  visit  his  sick  and  aged  mother  at  Rot- 
terdam, on  condition  that  he  announce  his  arrival  to  the  Burgo- 
masters, and  pledge  himself  to  keep  the  peace.  He  was  allowed 
to  stay  two  weeks,  but  if  detained  longer,  he  must  give  notice 
to  the  Burgomasters  and  obtain  permission  for  a  longer  stay. 

With  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19,  Calvinism 
became  triumphant.  In  JN'ovember,  Smoutius  was  still  at  Bot- 
terdam,  but  not  as  an  exile.  The  decree,  banishing  him  from 
Rotterdam  and  Schiedam,  was  rescinded.  He  even  visited  the 
Synod  of  Dort,  vdth  letters  to  the  clerical  and  political  delegates 
from  Rotterdam.  He  then  became  pastor  at  Overmass,  a  hamlet 
across  the  river  Maas,  and  opposite  Rotterdam.  In  Wagenaar's 
Description  of  Amsterdam,  ii.  143,  we  read  thait,  "  as  the  twenty 
second  minister,  called  to  the  Collegiate  churches  of  Amsterdam 
in  1620  from  Ovemiaas,  he  remained  until  January  7th  1630, 


1628 


1628 


Y2  Ecclesiastical  Records 

when  he  "withdrew  from  that  city  to  Rotterdam,  and  died  in  IG-iG  ". 
This  is  mildly  expressed.  In  Amsterdam  he  pursued  the  same 
intolerant  course  against  all  opponents  of  Calvinism.  In  1622 
a  couple  of  Arminians  were  elected  to  the  municipal  goveiiimcnt 
of  Amsterdam.  Much  to  the  disgust  of  Smoutius,  they  began 
soon  to  be  allowed  some  religious  privileges.  From  1619-1625 
public  worship  had  been  forbidden  to  them.  Smoutius  was  fore- 
most in  denouncing  this  leniency.  He  declared  that  the  election 
of ^  Arminians  to  the  Magistracy  and  the  recall  of  Hugo  Grotius 
was  "  admitting  the  Trojan  horse  ".  At  his  instigation  and  that 
of  others,  the  conventicles  of  Arminians  were  attacked,  furniture 
destroyed,  and  personal  violence  experienced.  When  the  Burgo- 
masters called  upon  the  Prince  of  Orange  for  troops  to  quell  these 
disturbances,  Smoutius  declared  that  officers  and  men,  who  were 
thus  compelled  to  protect  Arminians,  were  discharged  from  their 
oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Prince,  because  that  oath  bound  them 
only  to  defend  the  true  religion,  and  not  that  condemned  by  the 
Svnod  of  Dort.  Some  acted  on  this  ad^dce  and  were  cashiered. 
The  Calvinists  attacked  the  Council.  Smoutius  denounced  the 
magistrates  from  the  pulpit,  and  held  up  the  soldiers  who  had 
listened  to  him,  as  models.  Summoned  before  the  Burgomasters, 
he  denounced  them  to  their  face,  comparing  them  to  Rehoboam. 
The  riot  continued,  until  on  January  7,  1630,  he  was  ordered 
to  leave  Amsterdam  before  sundown.  A  canal  boat  was  placed 
at  his  disposal,  and  he  departed.  This  circumstance  as  well  as 
the  name  of  Smoutius  are  commemorated  in  verse  by  that  prince 
of  Dutch  poets,  Joost  Yondel: 

"  "No  Papist  and  no  firebrand  here 

Their  baneful  trade  may  ply; 
The  packet-boat's  at  hand  for  those 

Who  raise  Sedition's  cry. 
Like  Smout  and  Kloppenburg "* 

*  Geen  Paep  geen  stokebrand  mag  hier  den  wervel  draeien; 
De  tochtschuit  leit  gereet,  voor  al  die  oproer  kraeien, 
Als  Smout,  en  Kloppenburgh;  wien  nu  het  harte  breekt, 
Zoo  dik  by  in  den  Briel  voor  zes  paer  voren  preekt. —  Hekeld,  page  199. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  73 

1628 

Kloppenbiirg,  one  of  the  ministers  mentioned  in  the  letter  of 
Michaelins,  was  banished  at  the  same  time  and  for  the  same  reason. 
Smoutius  subsequently  accepted  a  salary  from  the  Council  that 
banished  him.     He  died  at  Rotterdam  in  1646. 

His  plain  Dutch  name,  in  full,  was  Adriaan  Jorisson  Smout. . 
He  must  have  been  a  man  of  ability  to  have  been  called  to  Am- 
sterdam. 

See  Dr.  Daniel  Van  Pelt's  Article,  Christian  Intelligencer, 
October  13,  1897.  See  also  Jan  Wagenaar's  Amsterdam,  3  vols. 
Dutch,  Vol.  i.  481,  510-513,  with  references  to  authorities.  Tran- 
scripts, covering  many  years,  concerning  Smoutius,  were  made 
bv  Kev.  E.  T.  Corwin,  in  1898,  from  the  Minutes  of  Synod  of 
!N'orth  Holland.  These  are  in  the  Sage  Library,  ]S[ew  Brimswick, 
IsT.  J.     They  have  been  translated. 

N'otes  on  the  other    Ministers  mentioned    in  the    letter  of 

Michaelius,  1628. 

Rev.  Joannes  Cornelius  Silvius  was  the  eighteenth  minister  in 
the  Collegiate  churches  of  Amsterdam.  He  was  called  there  from 
Sloten  to  the  Gasthuis,  (Hospital)  in  1610,  and  in  1622,  to  the 
churches.    He  died  19  ISTovember,  1638. 

Rev.  Jacobus  Triglandius  was  the  nineteenth  minister  in  Am- 
sterdam. He  was  called  in  1610  from  the  church  of  Stolckwvck, 
and  i^  1634  became  professor  of  Theology  at  Leiden,  where  he 
died  on  April  11,  1654. 

Rev.  Rudolphus  Petri  was  the  twentieth  minister  in  Amster- 
dam. He  was  called  from  the  church  of  Saanredam  in  1612  to 
the  church  of  Amsterdam,  and  died  on  the  4th  of  June,  1649. 

Rev.  Johannes  Kloppenburg  was  the  twenty  fourth  minister  in 
Amsterdam.  He  was  called  from  Heusden  in  1621;  in  1630  he 
became  the  minister  at  Brielle;  and  in  1640,  professor  of  Theology 
at  Harderwyck,  and  in  1644,  Professor  of  Theology  at  Fransker. 
He  died  in  1652. 


1628 


74  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

Synod  of  !North  Holland,  at  Amsterdam. 

1628,  Aug.  15  et  seq. 

Article  20,  English  Synod. 

Toiicliing  the  3rd  Gravamen  of  (the  Classis  of)  Amsterdam, 
concerning  the  opposition  to  the  pretended  English  Synod, 
touched  on  in  Art.  24  (of  this  year) :  There  is  opened  up,  in  this 
topic,  the  subject  of  the  English  S\TLod  in  South  Holland,  about 
which  silence  has  been  maintained.  Under  this  Synod,  therefore, 
(reference  to)  their  (English)  Synods  may  be  omitted.  The 
Deputies  were  ordered  to  keep  a  watchful  eye  that  the  name  of 
said  (English)  Synod  be  omitted,  as  heretofore. 

Article  51.     (East  and  "West  Indies.) 

In  relation  to  (lit.  occasion  of)  Church  Goyemment  in  the  East 
Indies:  It  was  resolved  that  all  those  who  shall  be  hereafter 
sent,  a?  preachers  or  sieckentroosters  to  the  East  or  West  Indies, 
must  have  from  the  respective  Churches  and  Classes,  which  send 
them,  special  calls,  in  conformity  with  the  examples  of  (the 
Classis  of)  Amsterdam  and  Enckhuysen.  This  matter  has  been 
particularly  urged  upon  the  correspondents,  (from  the  other 
Synods),  especially  upon  those  of  Groningen,  and  they  have  ac- 
cepted it. 

Furthermore,  the  said  Church-Order,  as  the  same  was  sent 
hither  from  India,  was  brought  before  Synod  by  the  Eev.  Jacob 
Laurentius,  minister  at  Amsterdam,  coming  from  the  hands  of 
the  Directors  of  the  East  India  Company.  The  offer  was  made 
by  the  said  Company,  that  if  anything  should  be  inserted  or  modi- 
fied in  the  said  Church-Order,  if  it  were  done  with  their  cog- 
nizance, it  would  be  approved  by  them.  This  Church-Order  hav- 
ing been  read,  at  the  request  of  the  respective  correspondents, 
(of  the  other  S^oiods),  it  was  resolved,  to  have  the  same  communi- 
cated by  the  Deputies  of  our  Synod  to  those  respective  corre- 
spondents; and  that  copies  be  allowed  them,  and  that  the  same 


OF  THE  State  of  JSTew  York.  Y5 

1629 

shall    be    brouglit  to  the  next  ensuing    Synod,  with    notes  and 

amendmeoits.     Such  action  will  then  be  taken  as  seems  proper. 

Pateoons. 

1629,  June  7. 

Freedoms  and  Exemptions  granted  bv  the  West  India  Company 
to  Patroons  in  'New  ISTetherland,  for  the  purpose  of  planting 
colonies. —  Col.  Docs.  IST.  Y.  ii.  551-7. 

1629,  June  7.     In  reference  to  religion. 

XXVII.  The  Patroons  and  colonists  shall  in  particular,  and  in 
the  speediest  manner,  endeavor  to  find  out  ways  and  means 
whereby  they  may  support  a  Minister  and  Schoolmaster,  that 
thus  the  service  of  God  and  zeal  for  reli^^ion  mav  not  s^row  cool 
and  be  neglected  among  them,  and  they  shall,  for  the  first,  pro- 
cure a  Comforter  of  the  Sick  there. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  557; 
Laws  and  Ordinances  of  New  Neth.  9. 

Synod  of  IsTokth  Holland,   at  Hoorn. 

1629,  Aug  20,  et  seq. 

Article  13.     Instrimient  of  Contract  for  Ministers  going  to  the 

East  Indies. 

The  contents  of  Article  15,  treating  of  the  instrument  (act)  of 
contract,  was  further  recommended  to  the  brethren,  in  order  that 
it  may  be  put  into  practice;  especially  in  those  localities  where 
there  are  Chambers,  (of  the  East  and  West  India  Company,)  in 
reference  to  ministers  who  are  sent  to  the  East  or  West  Indies. 

Article  17.     En2:lish  Svnod. 

As  far  as  concerns  Art.  20:  the  Deputies  presented  as  their 
report,  that  no  English  Synod  was  to  be  held  this  year;  and  they 
remained  enjoined  in  this  matter,  as  heretofore,  to  exercise  dili- 
gence that  the  (sessions  of  the)  said  Synod  should  henceforth  be 
omitted. 


1629 


76  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Art.  19.     Care  of  the  Cliurcbes  under  the  Cross. 

The  Brethren  Deputies  asked  to  make  some  report  as  to 
Art.  27:  Speaking  of  the  care  of  the  Churches  under  the 
Cross,  in  Flanders  and  adjoining  quarters,  they  declared,  that 
they  had  found  a  capable  person,  who  had  been  ordained  by  the 
laying  on  of  hands,  after  evidences  previously  ascertained  of 
his  fitness;  and  that  he  had  been  sent  thither,  furnished  with  a 
proper  letter  of  commission. 

Art.  35.     Church  Regulations  for  the  East  and  West  Indies. 

In  reference  to  Art.  51,  referring  to  the  Church  Regulations 
of  the  East  and  West  Indies:  The  dele2:ates  of  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  inform  the  Svnod,  that  the  ministers  and  siecken- 
troosters  going  from  Amsterdam  to  the  East  Indies,  are  sent  in 
conformity  mth  the  regulation  contained  in  this  article;  that 
the  Directors  of  both  the  East  and  West  India  Companies  gave 
perfect  satisfaction  to  the  members  in  this  particular.  As  re- 
gards the  notes  on  the  Church-Order  of  the  East  Indies,  prout 
in  actis:  The  Deputies  from  the  corresponding  Syuod  of  Overys- 
sel  stated,  that  some  notes  had  been  dravni  up  by  them;  and  that 
the  same  had  been  communicated,  by  means  of  the  respective 
Deputies  of  Synod,  as  expressed  in  the  acts  of  their  Synod;  and 
had  been  briefly  taken  ad  notam  by  this  Rev.  Synod,  to  be  ex- 
amined more  fully  at  a  later  time.  Likewise  some  things  were 
handed  over  by  the  Deputies  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  which 
had  been  sent  from  the  East  Indies,  touching  "  Church  Regula- 
tions for  the  East  Indies  ".  These  were  read,  in  further  com- 
munication, to  this  Synod,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  mind  and 
decision  of  the  Synod  thereon. 

First:  The  question  was  asked,  whether  it  were  advisable, 
and  whether  it  could  be  understood  as  approved,  in  the  case  of 
children  whom  they  do  not  as  yet  find  to  be  fit  for  baptism  and 
whose  parents  are  heathen,    that    a    blessing    and    confirmation 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  Y7 

1629 

might  be  used,  mtli  the  laving  on  of  hands,  instead  of  baptism. 
It  was  learned  from  the  Acta  handed  in  that  this  had  already 
been  done.  The  Synod  having  given  heed,  in  the  fear  of  God, 
to  this  matter,  it  was  decided  and  understood,  that  what  was  pro- 
posed, ought  not  to  be  done.  Such  a  practice  was  not  Christian, 
and  was  not  in  conformitv  with  the  Word  of  God.  It  should  not 
be  done,  especially,  because  of  its  effect.  Adoption  into  the 
Christian  Church  in  such  a  way,  would  produce  evil  consequences, 
and  could  in  no  sense  be  justified  by  the  example  of  Christ's  lay- 
ing his  hands  upon  the  children  of  the  Jews;  inasmuch  as  those 
children  were  partakers  of  the  covenant.  Therefore,  instead  of 
such  a  confirmation  and  blessing,  the  children  should  be  diligently 
instructed  in  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity. 

In  the  second  place,  at  the  suggestion  of  tlie  delegates  from  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  the  question  was  taken  up,  whether  the 
English  mode  of  responsive  reading  and  singing,  could  be  per- 
mitted, as  edifying,  to  the  Church  in  the  East  Indies,  where  wor- 
ship is  conducted  in  the  Malay-Japanese,  (Malees  Japons.)  This 
point,  having  been  maturely  considered  by  the  Synod,  the  Synod 
is  of  the  opinion,  that  the  following  is  most  expedient  in  refer- 
ence to  this  particular  matter:  Inasmuch  as  the  Church  of  the 
East  Indies  is  altogether  one  \^'ith  the  churches  of  our  land,  they 
should  conform  themselves  to  the  Church  of  this  land:  Because 
not  only  where  the  worship  is  in  Dutch,  but  even  where  it  is 
conducted  in  the  Malay  and  Japanese  (Maleesche  en  Japaneesche) 
languages,  a  marked  difference  is  offensive.  In  case  the  officers 
are  convinced  that  the  reading  aloud  would  be  very  useful  among 
the  heathen,  the  Synod  thinks  that,  quite  as  suitably,  an  entire 
Psalm  might  be  read  continuously  for  instruction  and  edification, 
whether  in  prose  or  rhyme.  This  could  be  done  as  the  rulers 
and  officers  of  the  Church  there  might  consider  the  most  edifying 
way  for  the  church  there;  but  as  for  reading  line  by  line  alter- 


78  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1639 

natively,  the  sense  often  depends  upon  the  preceding  —  (line  be- 
ing correctly  read.) 

Whereas,  in  the  same  Church  Kegiilations  of  the  East  Indies, 
mention  is  made  of  still  another  method  of  blessing  and  confir- 
mation, employed  with  baptized  children  of  ten  or  eleven  years: 
therefore,  the  Sj-nod,  after  having  properly  given  heed  thereto, 
deems  it  best  and  advisable,  although  the  custom,  in  itself,  is 
harmless,  that  this  confirmation  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  be 
omitted  on  account  of  its  evil  tendencies  toward  superstition.  The 
Synod  thinks  that  the  confirmation  should  be  accomplished  by  in- 
struction in  the  principles  of  Christian  doctrine.  Accordingly 
the  Church  of  the  East  Indies  shall  conform  itself  to  the  custom- 
ary way  of  doing  in  the  Reformed  Churches  in  this  land.  Mean- 
while the  Synod  commends  the  excellent  and  praiseworthy  care  of 
the  Churches  of  the  East  Indies,  by  their  officers,  in  the  propa- 
gation of  the  Christian  religion,  and  the  education  of  youth, 
exhibited  in  these  particulars. 

IQQQ  Pateoons,  1630. 

Ereedoms  and  Exemptions  granted  by  the  States-General,  ex 
plenitudine  potestatis,  to  all  persons  of  condition,  as  Patroons  in 
iN'ew  ISTetherland,  for  the  purpose  of  planting  colonies,  etc. 

In  reference  to  religion  we  find  the  following: 

28. 

The  Patroons  shall  also  particularly  exert  themselves  to  find 
speedy  means  to  maintain  a  Clerg^Tnan  and  Schoolmaster,  in 
order  that  Divine  Ser\dce  and  zeal  for  religion  may  be  planted 
in  that  country ;  and  send,  at  first,  a  Comforter  of  the  Sick  thither. 

30. 

Their  High  Mightinesses  shall  exert  themselves  to  provide  the 
Patroons  wath  persons  bound  to  service,  who  shall  be  obliged  to 
serve  out  their  bounden  time,  in  all  obedience,  for  their  board  and 


OF  THE  State  of  iSTew  York.  79 

1630 

clothing  only,  which  being  clone,  on  bringing  to  this  country  a 

certificate  thereof  from  the  Patroons  or  their  Commissaries,  such 

persons  shall  be  here  restored  to  their  former  state  and  freedom. 

(Vagabonds  and  outcasts,  who  live  on  alms,  and  in  idleness  and 

crime,  are  hereby  meant.) 

31. 

In  like  manner,  the  Incorporated  West  India  Company  shall 
allot  to  each  Patroon  twelve  black  men  and  women  out  of  the 
prizes  in  which  Negroes  shall  be  found,  for  the  advancement  of 
the  Colonies  in  'New  ITetherland. 

33. 

All  private  and  poor  people  (onvermogen  personen)  are  ex- 
cluded from  these  Exemptions  Privileges  and  Freedoms,  and  are 
not  allowed  to  purchase  any  lands  or  grounds  from  the  Sachems 
or  Indians  in  New  l^etherland,  but  must  repair  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  respective  Lords  Patroons. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i. 
99,  100. 

1630,  Oct.  Ist  et  seq. 

Synod  of  !N^orth  Holland,  at   Enckhuyzen. 

Art.   7.     Preachers  for  the  East  and  West  Indies. 

It  is  understood  that  the  13th  Article,  referring  to  the  sub- 
scription by  preachers  going  to  the  East  and  West  Indies,  is 
being  observed. 

Art.   11.     The  English  Synod. 

As  to  the  17th  Ajrticle,  relating  to  the  English  Synod,  it  remains 
as  before,  for  the  vigilant  supervision  of  the  Deputies. 

Art.  17.     Church-Order  in  the  East  and  West  Indies. 

On  taking  up  the  35th  Article,  referring  entirely  to  the  Church- 
Order  of  the  East  and  West  Indies:     It  is  understood  that  the 


1630 


80  Ecclesiastical  Records 

injunction,  with  the  advise  of  this  Synod,  was  sent  over  by  the 
Church  of  Amsterdam,  according  to  the  requirement  in  the  afore- 
mentioned Article.  There  was  also  read  a  letter  from  the 
Ecclesiastical  Assembly,  at  Batavia,  on  Java-Major,  dated  ISTo- 
veniber  23,  1629,  to  this  Synod.  Also  one  of  the  same  contents 
was  sent  to  the  Svnod  of  South  Holland.  In  these  advice  is 
asked,  in  reference  to  the  matter  of  the  laying  on  of  hands;  in 
reference  to  a  fixed  rule,  in  the  sending  of  ecclesiastical  persons 
and  sieckentroosters;  and  in  reference  to  the  transmission  of  our 
annual  Synodical  Acta,  to  aid  them  in  the  government  of  their 
churches.  The  first  has  been  acted  on  before.  In  regard  to  the 
second,  it  has  been  resolved  by  the  Seventeen  to  allow  a  rule  to 
be  enacted  by  the  several  churches.  In  regard  to  the  third,  it 
was  resolved  to  cause  the  Deputies  of  our  Synods  to  transmit  to 
the  churches  of  the  East  Indies,  annually,  the  substance  of  our 
Acts,  so  far  as  they  might  be  serviceable  to  these  churches.  (This 
was  all  done,  in  those  days,  by  transcription.) 

Art.  26.     Sieckentroosters  for  the  East  and  West  Indies. 

III.  Whether  the  Sieckentroosters  who  are  sent  to  the  East 
and  West  Indies,  as  well  as  to  Guinea,  ought  not  to  subscribe  to 
the  Confession,  the  Catechism,  and  the  Canones  Synodi  !Nationalis 
lately  held  at  Dordrecht?  Answer:  Yes;  and  that  the  respec- 
tive churches  where  there  are  Chambers  (of  the  East  and  West 
India  Companies)  shall  pay  proper  attention  to  this  matter. 

Art.  28.     Ofiace  of  Sieckentrooster. 

Questio  particulars  Classis  Amstelodamensis :  Whether  the 
Sieckentrooster's  office  is  not  a  purely  ecclesiastical  office;  and 
that  a  member  of  the  church  cannot  accejDt  of  it  until  he  has  had 
a  previous  ecclesiastical  call?     Answer:  Yes. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York. 
Art.  36.     Order  of  Extracts. 


81 


1631 


It  is  found  advisable  that  henceforth  the  extracts  from  the 
respective  Synods  be  so  registered  inter  acta  of  onr  Synod,  that 
the  resolutions  adopted  thereon  in  matters  of  importance  can  at 
once  be  ascertained. 

Synod  of  !N'orth  Holland. 

1631. 

Art.  8.     English  Synod. 

The  matter  of  the  English  Synod  Art.  11,  remains  in  terminis 
prout  in  actis. 

Art.  13.     Church-Order  in  the  East  and  West  Indies. 

As  to  the  I7th  Article,  bearing  in  summa,  on  the  Church-Order 
of  the  East  and  West  Indies,  it  was  resolved,  in  conformity  with 
the  resolution  of  the  Synod  of  South  Holland,  to  request  the 
Assembly  to  act  on  the  church  affairs  of  the  East  Indies. 

EVERARDTJS  BoGARDUS.* 

First  Extract  from  Minutes  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 


1632,  Juni  7. 
Everardus  Bogardus,  die  voor 
siekentrooster  is  geweest  in  Guinea, 
heeft  syne  testimonia  naar  den 
Classis  gepraesenteert,  dewelclse 
seer  goet  syn;  en  daarby  versoeckt 
van  den  Classis  peremptoir  geex- 
amineert  te  worden,  welck  ver- 
soeck  hem  is  toegestaen,  en  sai 
toecomen  Maandacli  geexamineert 
worden  van  D.  praesidie;  met  Con- 
rado  Clevio,  die  oock  goede  ge- 
tuygenisse  overgeleveert  beeft.  iv. 
22. 


1632,  June  7. 
Everardus  Bogardus,  who  was 
formerly  a  Comforter  of  the  Sick 
in  Guinea,  presented  his  Testi- 
monials to  the  Classis,  which  are 
very  excellent.  He  then  requested 
to  be  examined  by  the  Classis  per- 
emptoir, (finally,  for  ordination), 
vrhich  request  was  granted  him. 
Next  Monday  he  will,  accordingly, 
be  examined  by  the  Rev.  President, 
together  with  Conradus  Clevius, 
who  has  also  handed  in  good  testi- 
monials,   iv.  22. 


*  He  matriculated  in  the  Leyden  University,  July  17,  1627,  as  a  student  of  Letters. 
He  was  then  twenty  years  of  age,  and  was  therefore  born  in  1607,  and  was  of  the 
Tillage  of  Woerdan.  The  Leyden  General  Catalogue  shows  22  other  students  of  the 
Latinized  name  of  "  Bogardus  ",  and  more  than  40  of  the  name  of  Bogart  or  Bogard. 
See  "  Album  Studiosorum  Acadamiae-Lugduno-Batavae  "  1575-1875,  published  by 
Martinus  Nljhoff,  at  the  Hague. 

6 


1632 


83 


1632 


Ecclesiastical  Records 
Boerardus  and  Cleviius. 


ir>32.  Jiini  14. 
Evernrdiis  Bogardiis  beeft  een 
propositie  gedaan  over  tie  woortlen 
Pauli,  Gal.  5:1G,  en  is  daarop  tot 
examen  togelaten  worden.  Con- 
radus   Clevius,  die  met  hem  sonde 

geexamineert  "v^'o^den, 

en  beyde  mogen  tot  den  H.  dienst 
gepromoteert  worden.    Iv.  23. 


1632,  June  14. 
Everardiis  Bogardus  treated  a 
proposition  (preached  a  sermoui  on 
the  words  of  Paul,  Gal.  5:16. — 
Walk  in  the  Spirit,  and  ye  shall 
not  fulfill  the  lusts  of  the  flesh  — 
and  was  thereupon  admitted  to  the 
examination.        Conradus      Clevius 

who  was  examined  with  him 

and  both  are  to  be  promoted  (or- 
dained) to  the  Holy  Ministry,  iv. 
23. 

1632,  Aug.  17    et  seq. 

StTsOD  of  ISTORTH  HOLLAND,  AT  AxCKMAER. 

Art.   10.     English  Synod. 

The  matter  of  the  English  Synod^  Art.  8,  in  regard  to  which 
nothing  has  as  yet  revealed  itself,  remains  further  recommended 
to  the  Eev.  Depiitati  Synodi. 

Art.  37.     p.  19.     Generalia,  extracted  from  the  Acts  of  the  Synod 

of  Utrecht,  Anno,  1631. 

Offices  of  Minister  and  Schoolmaster. 

It  was  requested  of  the  States  of  (by?)  Utrecht,  that  the  Minis- 
ters of  the  English  Church  in  this  land,  be  subjected  to  the 
Church  Regulations;  and  particularly  to  all  Regulations  in  use  in 
Utrecht. 

That  some  alumni  of  the  (University  of)  Utrecht  be  sent  to 
France  and  England,  so  that  having  become  expert  in  the  use 
of  the  French  and  English  languages,  they  may  minister  to  the 
French  and  English  churches  in  this  land. 

Art.   38.     Ministerial  Changes. 

In  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer: 

Called:  Peter  Serooskerke,  in  de  Koogh,  on  the  Texel. 

Samuel  Echtenius,  at  Warmanhuysen. 


or  THE  State  of  ISTew  Yokk. 


83 


1632 


Transferred:     Nicholas  Johannis,  from  Schoorl  to  Sluysduyneru 

Abraham  Jacobi,  from  Huysduynen  to  Schoorl. 


Died: 

Removed: 


Died: 

Removed 

Entered: 


Died: 

Arrived: 


Removed; 
Entered : 


In  the  Classis  of  Haarlem: 
Rev.  Samuel  Ampsingh,  Minister  at  Haerlem. 
Leonard  Todinaens,  from  Wormer  to  Delft. 
Booritiiis  Silema,  from  Oostzanen  to  Schiedam. 

In  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  Rolandius,  Minister  at  Amsterdam. 
Rev.  John  Bantius  from  Waverveen  to  Diemen. 
William  Henricides,  at  Waverveen. 
Everardns  Bogardiis,  sent  to  'New  Netherland. 
Conrad  Cleyenis  sent  to  Pharna  bruck. 

In  the  Classis  of  Hoorn. 

John  Adriaensse,  Minister  at  Hanwart. 

John  Goethals,  Minister  at  Schellinck  houwe. 

In  the  Classis  of  Edam. 

Cornelius  Lemannns,  from  Broek  to  Bois-le-Dnc. 
Cornelius  Lettingh,  installed  at  Oosthuysen. 
Maurice  Hantius,  called  from  End  in  Friesland,  to 
the  church  of  Broek  in  Waterland. 


84  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

THE  ADMIISriSTRATIO]^  OF  WOUTER  YAjST  TWILLER. 

1633-1647. 

Isote  from  Brodhead  as  to  his  arrival,  and  the  arrival  of  Do- 
mine  Bogardiis. 

Van  Twiller  arrived  at  Manhattan  in  April,  1633,  hai^ng  sailed 
on  the  Company's  ship  "  Soiitberg  ",  of  twenty  gnns,  with  a  mili- 
tRry  force  of  one  himdred  and  four  soldiers.  He  had  married  a 
niece  of  Van  Rensselaer,  and  had  been  employed  by  the  Patroon 
to  ship  cattle  to  his  colony.  Such  were  his  recommendations.  A 
Spanish  caravel,  the  St.  Martin,  was  captured  on  the  voyage.  Rev. 
Everardus  Bogardus,  and  Adam  Roelandsen,  the  first  schoolmaster, 
came  over  with  Van  Twiller. —  Brodhead,  i.  222-3. 

IS'ote  from  O'Callaghan  as  to  the  arrival  of  Domine  Bogardus. 

After  referring  to  the  members  of  the  Council  of  Director 
Van  Twiller,  he  says :  ^'  Claes  Jacobsen  van  Schagen  acted  as 
overseer  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  at  which  place  the  Rev.  Everardus 
Bogardus  officiated  as  minister  of  the  Gospel.^'" 

Synod  of  JSTorth  Hollai^d,  at  Haarlem. 

1633,  Aug.  9,  et  seq. 
Art.  9.  p.  5.     English  Synod. 

In  regard  to  Art.  10.  The  Rev.  Deputati  reported  their  doings 
in  the  prevention  and  stopping  of  the  English  Synod. 

♦  Hoi.  Doc.  ii.,  88;  ix.,  187;  Alb.  Rec.  ii.,  328,  GG,  31,  57.  The  earliest  mention 
I  find  of  Rev.  E.  Bogardus  is  in  Alb.  Rec.  ii.,  where  reference  is  made  to  a  letter 
from  him  to  Van  Twiller,  dated  17th  June,  1634.  It  is  to  be  presumed  that  he  came 
out  with  that  Director  General.  He  is  the  first  clergyman  of  whom  we  have  any 
mention  in  New  Netherland.  Where  he  came  from  originally,  I  have  not  been  able 
to  ascertain,  but  his  brother,  Cornelius  Willemsen  Bogaerdt,  resided  at  Leyden,  in 
South  Holland,  in  1647-8.  Possibly  he,  also,  might  have  been  from  that  place.  He 
married,  about  1637  or  1638,  Annetje,  relict  of  RoelofC  Jansen,  of  Masterlandt.  the 
daughter  of  Tryn  Jansen,  midwife  at  Amsterdam,  and  a  connection,  by  marriage, 
of  Govert  Lookermans,  surgeon  Hans  Kierstede,  and  Pieter  Hartgers.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Bogardus  was  proprietor  of  a  tobacco  plantation  on  the  island  of  Manhattans, 
which  he  rented,  in  1639,  on  shares,  to  Richard  Brudnel.—  O'Callaghan's  History  of 
New  Netherland,  Vol.  i.  142. 


OF  THE  State  of  'N'ew  York.  85 

And  the  same  are  enjoined  henceforth  to  keep  a  watchful  eye, 
so  that  no  abuses  against  the  order  of  the  churches  here  in  this 
land  may  creep  in. 

Art.  33.     Preachers  exercising  the  practice  of  medicine. 

II.  The  question  was  asked,  whether  heretofore  it  had  not 
been  decided,  that  ministers  should  not  undertake  to  act  also  in 
the  capacity  of  physicians;  that  nevertheless  the  custom  increas- 
ingly continues;  that  those  who  are  in  the  pastorates  of  churches 
assume  to  themselves  also  the  practice  of  medicine.  The  ques- 
tion, therefore,  arises,  whether  this  present  Synod  ought  not  to 
take  action,  to  maintain  its  former  resolution  in  reference  to  this 
matter,  and  to  enforce  it. 

Answer:  That  the  previous  resolution  is  sustained;  that  is, 
that  each  preacher  keep  himself  within  the  limits  of  his  calling; 
and,  moreover,  that  the  matter  be  recommended  to  the  supervision 
and  discretion  of  the  respective  Classes  and  churches,  which  are 
hereby  enjoined  to  execute  this  action,  each  within  its  own  borders. 

The  First   Church  Building  in  !N'ew  Amsterdam. 

1633. 

In  the  mean  while,  the  authorities  at  Fort  Amsterdam  were  actively  engaged  plan- 
ning various  forts  and  buildings,  suitable  to  the  growing  trade  and  wants  of  the 
country.  Orders  were  issued  for  the  thorough  reconstruction  of  the  principal  fort  at 
New  Amsterdam,  to  which  place  was  now  attached  the  privilege  of  "  staple  right," 
wbereby  all  masters  of  vessels  trading  along  the  coast  were  obliged  to  unload  at 
this  port,  or  pay,  in  lieu,  certain  fixed  duties.  It  was  determined  to  build  a  guard- 
house and  a  small  barrack  for  the  soldiers  within  that  fort,  and  near  it,  on  the  East 
River,  a  church  for  general  worship,*  with  a  dwelling  and  stable  adjoining,  for  the 
use  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bogardus;  a  residence  for  the  Honorable  Mr.  Gerritsen;  a  new 
bake  house;  and  a  small  dwelling  "  for  the  midwife."  An  appropriate  mansion  was 
ordered  to  be  raised,  "on  the  plantation,"  for  the  Director-general;  on  farm  No.  1, 

*  The  site  of  this  ancient  church,  (the  first  ever  erected  In  New  Netherland,)  Is 
determined  by  an  entry  in  Alb.  Rec.  x.,  355,  anno  1656,  as  follows:  "  The  house^ 
lot,  and  appurtenances  called  '  the  old  church,'  standing  and  situate  on  the  East 
River,  next  to  the  alley  which  lays  betwixt  the  house  of  Attorney  General  Vail 
Tienhoven  and  this  house,  and  opposite  the  house  of  Mr.  Hendrick  Kip,  are  ordered 
to  be  sold  to  the  highest  bidder."  Hendrick  Kip  lived.  In  1665,  in  Bridge  street. — 
Paulding's  New  Amsterdam.  Speaking  of  this  church.  Judge  Benson  says,  (Hist.. 
Mem.  34,)  "  The  site  of  the  first  church  is  perhaps  not  to  be  now  further  ascertained 
than  as  a  piece  of  ground  once  called  the  Dude  Kerck,  (old  church,)  and  afterwards 
the  house  of  Allard  Anthony,  lying  between  Customhouse  street  (the  portion  of 
Pearl  street  between  Whitehall  and  Broad  streets)  and  Bridge  street,  and  fronting 
on  Broad  street,"     [Now  known  as  100  Broad  St.] 


1633 


1634 


80  Ecclesiastical  Records 

a  barn,  dwelling,  brewery,  and  boat  house,  "  to  be  covered  with  tiles;  "  a  goats' 
stable  "  behind  the  five  houses,"  besides  dwellings  for  the  smith,  the  cooper,  and 
the  corporal;  and  several  mills,  one  of  which  was  to  be  adapted  for  grinding  corn. 
"An  elegant  large  house  with  balustrades,  and  eight  small  dwellings  for  the  people," 
were  directed  to  be  raised  at  Fort  Orange;  two  houses  at  Pavonia;  and  one-  large 
house  in  Fort  Nassau  on  the  South  River. —  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Nether- 
land,  Vol.  1.  155,  156. 

Synod  of  North  Holland,  at  Amsterdam. 

1634,  Aug.  14,  et  seq. 

Art.  55.     Under  Ministerial  changes,  occur  among  many  items, 

the  following: 

Classis  of  Edam: 
Entered:     Domine  Johannes  Bocardns,  at  Warder. 

Classis  of  Alckmaer: 
Entered:     Joannes  Megapolensis,  at  Wieringerweert. 

1635,  Aug.  14,  et  seq. 

Synod  of  I^orth  Holland,  at  Hoorn. 

Art.  1.     Printing  of  the  ISTewly  Translated  Bible. 

It  was  reported  by  the  Deputies  of  Synod,  that  the  revision 
and  the  translation  of  the  Old  Testament,  whereof,  see  in  Actis ' 
4,  has  now  been  completed;  and  that  the  revision  of  the  ]N"ew 
Testament  had  been  brought  down  to  the  Epistle  of  James;  also 
that  good  progress  had  been  made  in  the  printing  and  correcting 
of  proof,  of  the  same;  that  the  proofs  are  examined  three  times; 
and  that  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  same  will  be  published  next 
March.  Therein  the  Synod  expressed  its  pleasure.  The  Depu- 
ties remain  charged,  in  conjunction  with  the  Deputies  of  the 
Synod  of  South  Holland  to  give  careful  attention  to  the  correct 
printing  of  the  same.^ 

*  This  is  the  version  which  came  into  general  use  in  New  Netherland  for  the  next 
century  and   a   half. 


OF  THE  State  of  'N'ew  York.  87 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Johannes  Theodorus  Polheim. 

1635,  Dec.  3rd. 

There  appeared  in  Classis  the  Rev.  John  Theodore  Polheim 
(Polhemus,)  formerly  a  preacher  in  the  Palatinate;  (then  subse- 
quently at)  Meppel,  in  Overyssel,  and  later,  again  in  the  Palati- 
nate; but  on  account  of  renewed  persecution,  he  was  forced  to 
leave  (the  latter  field)  a  second  time.  He  requested  that  he  might 
be  appointed  a  minister  in  the  West  Indies,  (America).  Accord- 
ingly his  testimonials  from  both  Meppel  and  Wieten  were  read 
by  the  Deputies  on  Indian  Affairs,  who  also  made  report  thereon. 
The  Assembly  resolved,  to  appoint  the  said  individual,  as  soon  as 
possible,  to  that  field,  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Deputies, 
iv.  66. 

Church  in  Virginia,*  []SrEW  J^etherland.] 

A  letter  was  read  from  the  Consistory  in  Virginia,  (l^ew 
Motherland,)  making  the  request,  since  their  minister  (Bogardus) 
was  about  to  return  to  the  Fatherland,  that  their  congregation 
there  might  be  provided  with  another  pious  person.  The  Depu- 
ties on  Indian  Affairs  will  greet  the  Directors  of  the  West  India 
Company  thereupon,     iv.  67. 

Lubbertus  van  Dincklagen. 
-  1636,  April  7th. 

Lubbertus  van  Dincklagen  formerly  ficare,  (schout-fiscaal,  legal 
ofiicer)  of  New  ISTetherland,  handed  in  to  the  Assembly  (of  Classis) 
a  lengthy  paper,  containing  an  accusation  against  Everardus  Wil- 
helmus  Bogaert  (Bogardus.)  minister  there.  It  referred  to  his 
bad  government  of  the  Church,  as  well  as  his  conduct  and  walk. 

*  The  general  name  "  Virginia  "  is  often  used,  especially  in  early  times,  as  refer- 
ring to  the  whole  American  coast.  In  a  certain  Index,  Vol.  37,  Michaelius  is  re- 
ferred to  as  "  late  minister  to  Virginia." 


1635 


1636 


88  Ecclesiastical  Records 

It  was  resolved  that  the  said  paper  be  referred  to  the  Brethren 
on  Indian  Affairs,  (to  be  by  them)  read  and  examined.  This  was 
done  by  tJieir  Eeverences,  and  they  have  briefly  explained  the 
contents  thereof  to  the  Assembly  (of  Classis) ;  but  since  the  minis- 
ter is  yet  in  iSTew  ^N^etherland,  the  brethren  resolved  to  postpone 
further  action  imtil  his  return,     iv.  71. 

« 

Committee  to  draft  Articles  for  the  Colonial  churches. 

1636,  April  7. 

Also  certain  brethren  were  commissioned  by  the  Assembly 
to  draw  up  certain  Articles  and  Orders  of  (government  for 
the  Indian  churches).  The  brethren  commissioned  for  the 
said  duty  vnll  have  to  regulate  (these  churches)  hereafter.  The 
Articles  shall  be  drawn  up  by  Rev.  President,  Rev.  Jacobinus 
Lauristius,  Rev.  Rudolphius  Petri,  Rev.  Hermannus  Antonideus, 
and  Rev.  John  Bantius :  and  the  said  brethren  shall  bring  in  these 
Articles  at  the  first  Classical  gathering,  that  they  may  be  ex- 
amined by  the  same.     iv.  71;  xxxix.  19. 

Acta   Classicalia: 

Regarding  the  Churches  in  the  East  Indies  and  West  Indies,  and 

in  other  regions. 

1636,  April  I7th. 
Deputati  ad  res  Indicas."^ 

The  Rev.  Goldorpius  is  released  from  the  care  of  the  Indian 
Islands.  This  burden  he  has  borne  for  two  vears,  and  is  thanked 
for  his  services.  The  number  of  the  Committee  was  now  en- 
larged by  the  addition  of  two  brethren  of  Classis  from  ^^dthout 
(i.  e.,  outside  the  city  of  Amsterdam),     iv.  75;  xxxix.  19. 

•  See  second  item  under  April  7,  1636.  It  might  have  been  well  to  have  copied 
the  names  of  the  "  Deputati  ad  res  Exteras  "  (or  "  .  .  .  ad  res  Indicas  ",  or 
"  .  .  .  ad  res  Maritimas  ",)  as  they  were  variously  called,  as  a  portion  of  this 
Committee  was  chosen  anew  each  year. —  especially  as  they  were  the  official  cor- 
respondents with  all  the  colonies;  but  as  it  would  have  considerably  increased  the 
size  of  this  work,  they  were  omitted. 


OF  THE  State  of  E'ew  York.  89 

1636 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.      [May  5,   1636.] 

Kegulations  relating  to  East  India  and  West  India  affairs,  etc., 
devised  by  the  Deputies  of  the  Classis  appointed  therefor,  April 
7,  1636.     (See  Acts  of  Classis,  iv.  71.) 

I.   Of  the  Ministers. 

1.  The  person  shall  present  himself  before  the  Classis,  and 
having  exhil)ited  proper  certificates  as  to  doctrine  and  life,  shall 
be  examined  in  Plena  Classis.  Such  a  Classis  shall  be  called  on 
extraordinary  occasion. 

2.  In  case  a  person  should  msh  to  present  himself  in  winter 
time  to  the  Brethren  of  the  Deputies,  when  no  extraordinary 
Classis  is  generally  held,  these  Brethren  shall  then  communicate 
with  one  another  about  the  case,  and  decide  whether  it  be  neces- 
sary to  call  an  extraordinary  Classis  for  the  purpose. 

3.  A  similar  footing  shall  be  maintained  with  candidates  — 
(proponenten). 

4.  The  laying  on  of  hands  and  ordination  shall  be  done  at 
a  meeting  of  the  Classis,  if  in  any  way  possible;  otherwise,  if  the 
time  and  occasion  require  it,  the  Deputies  shall  request  all  the 
ministers  of  Amsterdam,  together  with  an  elder  of  the  same 
church  to  meet  with  them,  and  this  business  shall  be  transacted 
at  such  a  gathering. 

II.   Of  the  Siecken-Troostere, 
(Comforters  of  the  Sick). 

1.  The  Siecke-Troosters  must  present  themselves,  as  far  as 
is  practicable,  before  the  Classis.  The  Classis  must  endeavor 
to  have  a  good  supply  of  these  on  hand,  and  shall  decide  which 
out  of  all  of  them  shall  first  be  recommended  by  the  Deputies  to 
the  Companies. 

2.  The  examination  of  the  Siecke-Troosters  shaU  be  conducted 
by  the  Brethren  Deputies,  who  shall  bring  in  a  report  thereof 
at  the  next  Classis. 


90  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1636 

III.   Of  their  Presentation  to  the  Directors   [of  the  East  and 

"West  India  Companies.] 

The  ministers,  proponents,  (candidates  or  licentiates,)  and 
siecke-troosters  shall  be  presented  and  recommended  by  the  two 
oldest  Deputies,  one  from  the  city  (of  Amsterdam),  and  one  from 
outside  the  city. 

IV.   Of  their  Instructions. 

The   Instructions    of   the    Ministers    Candidates    and    Siecke^ 
Troosters  shall  be  T\Titten  by  and  in  the  name  of  the  Brethren 
Deputies,  and  signed  by  two  of  the  oldest  of  them,  and  also  by 
the  elders  of  the  Church  of  Amsterdam;  and  the  Forms  hitherto 
in  use  be  resumed  at  the  next  ensuing  Classis. 

y.   Of  the  Keceiving  and  Answering  of  Letters. 

1.  The  letters  coming  from  the  East  and  West  Indies,  etc., 
etc.,  addressed  to  the  Classis,  shall  be  opened  immediately  upon 
their  receipt  by  (bij)  the  Deputies.  They  shall  indicate  their 
contents,  whenever  required;  and  shall  also  make  report  thereof 
at  the  next  meeting  of  Classis,  and  hand  over  the  letters 
themselves  openly  to  each  of  the  members.  (Or  hand  over  each 
of  the  letters,  etc.) 

2.  When  the  Classis  has  taken  action  on  all  the  matters 
reported  by  the  Brethren  Deputies,  or  on  all  that  is  contained  in 
the  said  letters,  the  Deputies  shall  then  write  out  the  said  resolu- 
tions in  forma,  as  they  v^ere  adopted  in  Classis.  When  these 
have  been  again  read  and  approved  in  Classis,  they  shall  be  signed 
by  the  Deputies  as  before,  namely,  by  those  previously  mentioned, 
and  thus  be  dispatched  to  the  churches  of  the  East  and  West 
Indies,  for  which  thev  are  intended. 

3.  Letters  relating  especially  to  either  of  the  Companies,  and 
coming  from  any  of  the  churches  of  any  of  the  provinces,  and 
addressed  to  the  Classis  shall  be  opened  as  the  others  above  al- 
luded to,  and  held  by  the  Deputies. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  91 

1636 

YI.  Of  the  Schoolmasters. 

In  case  any  Schoolmasters  shall  be  sent  to  any  of  these  foreign 
fields,  the  same  course  shall  be  pursued  with  them,  (or,  lit., 
therein  the  same  footing  shall  be  maintained,)  as  with  the  Siecke- 
Troosters  mentioned  above. 

Addendum. 

[East  and  West  India  Companies. —  Eecord  Books.] 
Besides  these  ordinary  affairs,  if  something  else  should  occur 
that  ought  to  be  brought  before  one  of  the  chambers,  respec- 
tively, of  either  the  East  or  West  India  Companies,  or  before 
one  of  the  Assemblies,  respectively,  of  the  XYII  or  the  XIX,  or 
any  special  orders  (are  issued)  —  these  shall  remain  (stand)  at 
the  disposition  of  the  Classis  to  render  the  appropriate  service, 
and  to  depute  such  members  (to  carry  it  out)  as  shall  be  approved 
by  the  Classis. 

In  conclusion  the  Committee  ad  banc  instructionem  (deem  it) 
necessary  and  expedient,  that  all  the  Acta,  and  actitata  resolu- 
tions —  all  those  which  refer  to  East  Indian  and  West  Indian  af- 
fairs, etc.,  be  recorded  separately  in  a  book''*"  specially  made  there- 
for. Therein  also,  at  the  beginning,  shall  be  copied  the  Forms  of 
Instructions  for  Ministers,  Candidates  and  Siecken-Troosters, 
which  shall  now  be  ratified  bv  the  Classis.     xxxix.  1,  2. 

Form  of  a  Call  to  Ministers  for  the  East  and  West  Indies. 

1636,  June  7th. 

Rev.  Rudolphus  Petri  drafted  the  Form  of  the  Call,  for  such 
ministers  as  are  to  be  sent  to  the  East  or  West  Indies,  to  Guinea, 

*  This  book  Is  Vol.  XXXIX,  (1635-164S,)  in  which  the  Acts  of  the  Classis,  relating 
to  the  foreign  churches,  are  transcribed  from  their  Vols.  IV  and  V;  and  the  Acts  of 
the  Deputies  are  also  found  therein.  References  are  given  in  these  Extracts,  as 
herein  presented,  to  both  sets  of  volumes.  There  is  said  to  have  been  a  volume  pre- 
ceding this  volume  XXXIX,  (which  is  lost,)  according  to  an  Index  of  the  Archives 
made  in  ISSO.  If  there  was  such  a  volume,  which  is  not  altogether  clear,  it  prob- 
ably ran  from  1615  to  1635.  The  next  volume  of  these  Extracts,  etc.,  is  numbered 
XXVI,  (1648-55);  and  the  next  Is  XIX,  (1655-1705).  The  peculiarity  of  this  number- 
ing will  be  treated  elsewhere.  The  numbering  was  not  done  until  after  the  closing 
of  the  Old  Archives,  in  1816.  Vol.  XXXVII  is  an  Index  only  to  Vol.  XXXIX,  ai 
Its  contents  prove. 


92  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1636 

etc.     The  Fomi  proposed  was  accepted  as  final,  (permanently,  for 

good,)  by  the  (Classical)  Assembly,  and  incorporated  by  him  into 

a  (book*)  as  aforesaid,     iv.  76;  xxxix.  20. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 
June  4,  1636. 

Copy  of  a  call  for  Preachers  going  to  the  East  or  West  Indies. 

Whereas  it  is  proper,  so  far  as  is  possible,  that  the  glory  of 
God,  and  the  salvation  of  the  people  should  be  promoted,  in  all 
regions  and  localities  where  the  people  may  be  scattered,  or  where 
they  may  go  to  pursue  their  divers  kinds  of  business: 

And  to  this  end  religious  gatherings  ought  to  be  established 
and  maintained,  with  the  pure  preaching  of  God's  Word,  the 
lavv'ful  administration  of  the  Sacraments,  the  public  calling  on. 
the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  whatever  else  belongs  to  regular  wor- 
ship: that  thus  the  Lord  may  be  honored,  that  believers  may  in- 
crease in  the  saving  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  in  the  true  faith, 
and  so  be  improved  in  their  actions  and  conduct,  unto  salvation: 
and  also  that  those  who  are  alienated  from  religion  may  be  led 
thereunto:  and  whereas  the  condition  of  (the  East  Indies,  or  the 
West  Indies,  or  Guinea,  or  Moscow,  etc.)  requires  that  (one  or 
more)  pious  and  well  qualified  persons  be  sent  thither,  in  the 
capacity  of  a  lawfully  called  minister,  who  shall  perform  in  such 
a  place  all  the  functions  of  a  minister:  and  in  order  that  the 
form  of  a  church  and  church  government,  may  be  established 
there,  in  ,  according  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  con- 
formably to  the  excellent  usages  of  the  Reformed  Churches  here 
in  this  land,  and  may  be  maintained:  Therefore  we,  the  Min- 
isters of  the  Divine  Word,  and  Elders  of  the  Church  of  Christ, 
belonging  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
and  after  calling  upon  the  name  of  God,  and  with  the  approval 

*  See   fuller   description   of  this   Volume,    XXXIX,    and   of   the   Archives   of  the 
ClaseiB,  generally,  in  Introduction. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  93 

of  the  Messrs.  Directors  of  (the  East  India  Company, —  or  the 
West  India  Company,  or  the  ^Negotiators  of  the  Moscow  Trade, 
or  the  Directors  of  the  Greenland  Company,  as  the  case  may  be) 
have  called,  and  by  these  presents  do  call 

the  Rev.    and    God-pleasing  N.   N.      the   Rev.   and    God-pleasing  N.    N. 

,  late  minister  at ,  who  after  previous  and 

whose      praiseworthy      certificates       due    examination,    and   questioning 

from  the  church  of in  the      upon  the  principal  points  of  Chris- 

Classis     of    have    been      tian    Doctrine;    and    having    given 

shown  unto  us,  and  vrho  has  him-  sufficient  evidence  of  piety  of  life; 
self  also  appeared  before  us and  having  ascertained  his  posses- 
sion of  the  necessary  gifts  and 
qualifications  for  presenting  the 
"Word  of  the  Lord  unto  the  en- 
lightenment of  men;  and  having 
previously  subscribed  t]ie  Nether- 
lands Confession  of  Faith,  the 
Christian  Catechism,  and  the  Can- 
ons of  the  National  Synod  of  Dort: 
have  solemnly  ordained  by  the  lay- 
ing on  of  hands, 

and  we  do  now    by  these  (presents  or    acts)  set  him,  the    Rev. 

, ,  well-beloved  of  God,  apart,  in  order,  whether  on 

water  or  on  land,  or  while  under  waj^,  and  especially  when  ar- 
rived at  his  destination,  to  preach  God's  Holy  Word,  as  embraced 
in  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  E'ew  Testament;  to  proclaim  to 
men,  in  God's  name,  repentance  towards  God,  and  reconciliation 
with  Him  through  faith  in  Jesus  Christ;  to  administer  the  Sacra- 
ments —  Baptism  and  the  Supper  —  which  the  Lord  instituted  as 
seals  of  his  grace;  to  lead  the  Church  of  Christ  in  public  prayers; 
and  in  conjunction  with  the  Elders  and  Deacons,  after  the  pre- 
scription of  the  Apostle  in  1  Timothy  3,  and  in  Art.  1:  (Arts. 
22-24  of  1619):  and,  with  the  advice  and    assistance  of    these 
(Elders)    ........   to  regulate  and  maintain  brotherly  love,  by 

good  discipline  and  order,  all  in  accordance  with  God's  Word  and 
in  conformity  with  the  Confession  of  the  N'etherland  Churches 
and  the  Chnstian  Catechism.  We  request  of  all  those  to  whom 
these  presents  shall  be  shown,  and  unto  whom  our  said  Brother 


1636 


1636 


94  EccLESiASTiCxiL  Recokds 

shall  come,  that  they  will  be  pleased  to  recognize  him  as  a  law- 
fully called  Minister;  to  hold  him  in  honor  for  his  office  and 
work's  sake;  and  to  assist  him  with  all  their  power,  that  he  may 
administer  his  office  unhindered  and  with  joy,  to  the  magnifying 
of  God's  holy  name,  and  the  conversion  and  salvation,  of  many 
souls. 

The  Almighty  God,  who  hath  called  him  to  this  office,  enrich 
him  more  and  more  with  all  needed  gifts  of  his  Holy  Spirit; 
bless  his  labor  abundantly  to  the  glory  of  his  name,  and  the  con- 
version of  many  souls;  and  when  the  Chief  Shepherd  of  the  sheep 
shall  appear,  bestow  upon  him  the  imperishable  crov.m  of  glory. 
Thus  done  in  our  Classical  Assembly,  within  Amsterdam, 
,  xxxix.  3,  4. 

Forms  for  Candidates,  Comforters  of  the  Sick  and  Schoolmasters, 

going  to  the  Indies. 

1636,  June  7th. 

The  Forms  for  Candidates,  Comforters  of  the  Sick,  and  School- 
masters going  to  the  Indies,  were  read  to  the  (Classical)  Assem- 
bly, and  approved  by  the  same;  and  they  were  recorded  in  0 
volume,     (xxxix.  3-9.)     iv.  78;  xxxix.  22. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

June  7,  1636. 

1.     Call  and  Letter.     Copy  of  Instructions  for  Proponents 
(Licentiates)  going  to  the  East  or  West  Indies. 

Whereas,  by  reason  of  the  (frequent)  navigation  at  the  present 
time  to  far  distant  lands,  it  is  in  the  highest  degree  proper  and 
necessary,  that  persons  sound  in  doctrine  and  pious  in  conduct 
should  be  appointed  to  instruct  the  people  in  the  doctrines  of  the 
truth,  out  of  the  Word  of  God,  and  admonish  them  to  true  piety; 
to  offer  the  public  prayers  at  appointed  times  and  otherwise;  to 
comfort  those  in  difficulty  or  in  sickness,  and  particularly  at  the 
approach  of  death :  —  Therefore  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  with 


OF  THE  State  of  'N'ew  Yokk.  95 

the  consent  and  approval  of  the  Hon.  Messrs.  Directors  (of  the 
East  or  West  India  Company,  Directors  of  the  Greenland  Com- 
pany,  Traders  to  Moscow,  etc.,)  have  resolved  to  send  thither  as 

Proponent  the  Rev.  and  Godly  ....  1^.   .  ...  .^  'N :     And  in 

order  that  the  same  may  be  known  as  such  by  every  one,  and 
that  he  may  know  how  he  shall  have  to  conduct  himself  in  this 
office  of 

Therefore  is  this  Credential  given  to  himx,  and  this  Letter  of 
Instruction,  and  he  is  required  to  maintain  the  following  point? 
in  accordance  therewith: 

First:  He  shall  carefully  obseiwe  public  prayers  on  shipboard, 
mornings  and  evenings,  before  and  after  meals,  particularly  at 
religious  gatherings,  and  also  under  other  circiunstances  as  oc- 
casion may  require. 

Secondly:  Both  at  sea  and  on  land,  he  shall  console  and  in- 
struct out  of  the  Word  of  God,  those  in  the  extremity  of  death, 
as  well  as  others  who  are  sick,  or  who  may  be  distressed  by  their 
necessities  and  difficulties.  Also,  particularly  must  he  earnestly 
admonish  every  one,  as  occasion  requires;  and  especially  must  he 
warn  against  cursing  and  swearing,  and  the  thoughtless  misuse 
of  God's  Holy  ^N'ame. 

Thirdly:  He  must  be  allowed  on  the  Lord's  Day  and  on  other 
proper  occasions,  to  deliver  sermons  out  of  God's  Word,  for  the 
instruction,  admonition,  comfort  and  further  enlightening  (or 
easing)  of  the  people.  If  he  be  detained  on  the  island  of  Ceylon, 
he  must  give  himself  to  the  service  of  the  seminary  there,  or 
where  ever  else  his  sacred  office  may  be  required. 

All  of  these  duties  the  said shall  perform  in 

the  best  manner  possible,  and  so  commend  his  office  by  a  Christian 
and  pious  walk,  that  he  may  edify  those  among  whom  he  lives  b^ 
speech  and  deportment;  but  he  must  not  assume  anything  else 
that  belongs  to  the  ministerial  office,  luider  any  pretext  whatever 

Thus  done  by  us  the  Ministers  of  God's  Word  and  Elders,  be 
longing    to    the    Classis  of    Amsterdam  on   this   .  .*.  .  .  .,  day  oi 
16.  .  .  xxxix.  5. 


1636 


96  Ecclesiastical  Records 

June  7,  1636. 

2.  Copy  of  a  Call  and  of  a  Letter  of  Instruction  for  Siecken- 
Troosters  (Comforters  of  the  Sick)  going  to  the  East  or  West 
Indies,  etc. 

Whereas,  it  has  been  found  necessary,  for  the  success  of  True 
Religion  and  Divine  Worship,  and  for  the  benefit  of  those  who 
enter  into  the  employ  of  the  Netherlands  Companies,  in.  connec- 
tion with  their  regular  sailing  sendees  for  the  purposes  of  trade 
earned  on  with  far  distant  lands, —  that  the  true  knowledge  of 
God  should  be  introduced  not  only  among  the  blind  heathen,  btit 
that  the  ships  should  be  provided  mth  Siecken-Troosters  (Com- 
forters of  the  Sick)  who  should  accompany  these  expeditions  for 
these  purposes:  and  whereas,  IsT.  !N.  has  offered  his  services,  for 
the  pui'poses  indicated,  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam:  Therefore, 
the  said  Classis,  having  previously  sought  information,  and  upon 
testimonials  from  others,  has  admitted  said  person  to  an  exami- 
nation, to  ascertain  his  fitness :  and  said  person,  having  been  found 
qualified,  was,  upon  the  report  made  by  said  Classis,  set  apart  as  a 
Siecke-Trooster  (Comforter  of  the  Sick),  with  the  consent  and 
approbation  of  the  Honorable  Directors  (of  said  Company;)  and 
by  these  presents,  he  is  commissioned  in  such  capacity  to  the 
(East  Indies,  West  Indies,  etc.,  as  the  case  may  be,)  mth  the  fol- 
lowing instructions: 

First:  Tie  is  to  instruct,  admonish,  and  comfort  the  sick  and 
ill,  out  of  God's  Holy  Word,  every  one  according  to  his  neces- 
sity, and  as  occasion  permits. 

Secondly:  At  appointed  times,  and  on  other  proper  occasions 
he  is  to  read,  in  connection  with  the  singing  of  Psalms,  some 
chapters  from  God's  Word:  and  also  some  good  sermons  from  the 
Decadier  Bullinger's  Ursini  Catechismus:  or  from  some  other 
books  written  by  some  minister  of  the  true  Christian  Reformed 
Church,  Tvdth  suitable  remarks;  and  he  is  to  begin  and  end  all 
such  services  ^^ith  prayer. 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  Yokk.  97 

1636 

Thirdly:  He  is  to  lead  and  serve  the  people  when  assembled  in 
an  orderly  manner,  with  prayers,  every  morning  and  evening; 
and  also  before  and  after  meals. 

Fourthly:  He  is  also  diligently  to  instruct  the  ignorant  in  the 
faith,  especially  ont  of  the  Word  of  God;  and  also  earnestly  at 
every  opportunity,  to  admonish  sinners  to  penitence  and  to  the 
leaving  off  of  their  sins,  by  holding  before  them  the  fearful  judg- 
ment of  God,  warning  them  faithfully  of  their  danger  of  per- 
dition; he  is  especially  to  oppose,  in  every  possible  and  proper 
manner,  all  cursing,  swearing,  and  profane  abuse  of  the  dear 
ISTame  of  the  Lord,  as  well  as  all  indecent  language ;  he  is  also  to 
comfort  and  strengthen  apparently  discouraged  ones,  as  circum- 
stances may  require. 

And  even  as  the  said  1^.  IT.  is  directed  always  to  conduct  him- 
self in  compliance  with  and  according  to  these  instructions,  and  in 
such  a  way  that  he  never  arrogate  to  himself,  beyond  these  duties, 
under  any  pretext  whatever,  anything  which  properly  belongs 
to  the  ministerial  office:  —  So  he,  on  his  part,  has  sacredly  prom- 
ised to  regulate  himself  by  these  instructions,  and  to  conduct  him- 
seK  agreeably  and  usefully,  and  to  continue  in  the  exhibition  of 
a  pious  life,  to  walk  worthily  in  this  his  calling  and  office. 

Therefore,  these  open  letters  are  given  to  him,  both  for  his 
own  guidance,  and  as  his  credentials  on  his  contemplated  journey, 
that  they  may  be  useful  to  him  wherever  he  may  be,  and  on  any 
occasion. 

Thus  done  in  our  Classical  Meeting  held  within  Amsterdam, 

Anno  1636,  May  5,  xxxix.  7. 

June  7,  1636. 

3.  Instructions    and    Letter    of    Credential    for    School-Masters 
going  to  the  East  or  West  Indies  or  elsewhere. 

Whereas,  it  is  well  understood  by  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the 
N.  N.  Company,  that  nothing  is  more  important  for  the  well- 
being  of  men,  of  whatever  station,  than  that  they  should  be  taken 

care  of  from  the  very  beginning,  by  keeping  them  under  the  eye 

7 


1636 


98  Ecclesiastical  Eecokds 

and  supervision  of  the  Schoolmaster,  and  in  the  exercises  of  the 
school,  that  they  may  derive  from  such  instruction  the  means 
necessary  for  their  support,  in  all  the  stations  and  callings  of 
life:  and 

Inasmuch  as,  also,  upon  these  exercises,  both  the  glory  of  God 
and  the  salvation  of  men  are  not  a  little  dependent;  and  such 
exercises  are  deemed  expedient  both  for  the  welfare  of  their 
Company,  as  well  as  for  the  individuals  employed  therein;  and 
also  that  their  ships,  besides  the  other  officers,  may  also  be  pro- 
vided with  Schoolmasters;  and 

Inasmuch  as  the by  these,  by  the  name  of  N.  ^N", 

has  offered  his  services,  in  this  capacity,  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Ecclesiastical  Affairs  of  the  said  Company,  and  which 
Committee  is  specially  charged  therewith  by  the  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam :  and  the  said  Classis  having  previously  inquired  as  to  this 
individual,  and  by  examination  have  ascertained  his  fitness  and 
experience  for  such  a  position;  that  on  the  report  rendered  by  the 
said  Classis,  and  with  the  approbation  and  consent  of  the  said 
E[on.  Directors,  he  has  been  appointed  Schoolmaster,  and  sent  in 

such  capacity  to  1^ N".  ....  with  these  specific  instructions, 

to  wit: 

He  is  to  instruct  the  youth,  both  on  shipboard  and  on  land,  in 
reading,  writing,  ciphering,  and  arithmetic,  with  all  zeal  and  dili- 
gence: he  is  also  to  implant  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  true 
Christian  Religion  and  salvation,  by  means  of  catechizing:  he  is 
to  teach  them  the  customary  Forms  of  Prayers,  and  also  to  ac- 
custom them  to  pray:  he  is  to  give  heed  to  their  manners,  and 
bring  these  as  far  as  possible  to  modesty  and  propriety:  and  to 
this  end,  he  is  to  maintain  good  discipline  and  order,  and  further 
to  do  all  that  is  required  of  a  good,  diligent  and  faithful  School- 
master. 

And  inasmuch  as  ]^ IT.  .  .,.  .  is  directed  to  conduct  him- 
self in  this  office  according  to  these  instructions,  and  he,  on  his 
part,  has  promised  so  to  do,  as  well  as  to  set  a  good  example  be- 


OF  THE  State  of  ISFew  York.  99 

fore  youth  and  others:  Therefore,  these  open  letters,  both 
Credentials  and  Instructions,  are  given  him  upon  his  sailing,  to 
serve  him  as  may  be  found  necessary. 

Thus  done  in  our  Classical  Assembly  held  in  Amsterdam,  on 

xxxix.  9. 

Juno  7,  1636. 

* 

4.     Term  of  Credential  and  Instruction  for  the  Minister  with  an 

Ambassador  or  Resident. 

Whereas,  It  is  proper,  so  far  as  may  be  possible,  that  the  glory 
of  God  and  the  salvation  of  men  be  promoted  by  the  exercise 
of  the  regular  worship  of  God,  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  and  in 
all  places,  where  opportunity  offers:  and.  Whereas,  His  Excel- 
lency, Mr.  ]^ '  ]Sr ,  Ambassador,  or  Resident,  on  be- 
half of  this  city  (state?  staet,  not  stadt,)  at  the  Court  of  IST.  'N., 
has  need  of  a  preacher:  Therefore,  We,  Ministers  of  the  Divine 
Word,  and  Elders  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  belonging  to  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  with  the  consent  of  the  said  Ambassador, 
or  Resident:  after  previous  proper  inquiries,  and  examination  in 
the  principal  points  of  Scriptural  Doctrine;  and  after  sufficient 
proof  of  the  piety  of  life,  as  well  as  the  evidence  of  necessary 
gifts  and  ability,  to  present  the  Word  of  the  Lord  unto  edifica- 
tion; and  after  previous  subscription  of  the  Netherlands  Confes- 
sion, the  Christian  Catechism,  and  the  Canones  Synodi  Nationalis 
Dordrechtis:  have  solemnly  set  apart  and  do  by  these  presents 

set  apart  this  reverend,  pious,  and  learned  'N.   ....  N .,  as 

preacher  to  the  said  Ambassador,  or  Resident;  to  preach  God's 
Holy  Word,  as  contained  in  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  l^ew 
Testaments;  to  administer  the  Sacraments  of  Baptism  and  the 
Supper,  which  the  Lord  has  instituted  as  seals  of  his  grace;  duly 
to  visit  the  sick,  and  comfort  them;  and,  when  necessary,  prudently 
to  administer  church  discipline;  also,  if  it  be  practicable,  to  ob- 
serve catechizing  with  all  diligence;  and  furthermore  in  all  things 
to  execute  the  office  of  a  minister,  as  becomes  a  true  servant  of 
Jesus  Christ,  according  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  in  conformity 


1636 


1636 


100  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

with  the  ^N'etherlands  churches,  Confession,  and  Christian  Cate- 
chism. We  request  of  all  those  to  whom  this  instrument  shall  be 
exhibited,  and  unto  whom  our  said  brother  shall  come,  that  thev 
will  be  pleased  to  recognize  him  as  a  la-wfully  commissioned  ser- 
vant of  Christ;  and  hold  him  in  honor  for  his  office  and  his  work's 
sake;  and  also  to  be  of  aid  to  him,  as  far  as  they  can:  in  order 
that  he  may  fulfill  his  office  unhindered  and  with  gladness,  to  the 
magnifying  of  God's  Holy  ISTame,  and  the  conversion  and  sal- 
vation of  many.  Whereunto  we  wish  him  the  abundant  blessing 
of  the  Lord. 

Thus  done  in  our  Classical  Assembly,  within  Amsterdam,  on 

,  and  signed  in  the  name  of  all 

xxxix.  10. 

June  7,  1636. 

5.  Rules  and  Articles  determined  on  —  founded  on  the  Delibe- 
rations of  the  Deputies,  (and)  of  the  Messrs.  IsTegotiators  of 
Moskow,  (Muskovy)  and  submitted  to  the  Assembly  of  the  Clas- 
sis,  concerning  Ministers  who  shall  go  thither;  and  Instructions 
for  said  ]\Iinisters. 

1.  That  there  shall  go  thither  a  person  well  versed  in  doc- 
trine, and  who,  as  minister,  shall  preach  the  Word  of  God,  and 
administer  the  Sacraments,  and  perform  all  other  ministerial 
functions. 

2.  That  the  said  person  shall  sail  from  here  to  Archangel  at 
the  first  opportunity,  and  with  one  of  the  first  ships. 

3.  That  having  arrived  at  Archangel,  he  shall  preach  on  Sun- 
day mornings  and  on  Thursday  evenings,  during  the  period  of 
his  stay  there;  and  if  it  can  possibly  be  done,  the  Catechism 
shall  be  taught  on  Sunday  afternoons,  that  the  Lord's  Day  may 
be  the  more  fully  hallowed. 

4.  That  he  shall  be  obliged  to  come  back  here  with  the  fleet, 
unless  some  Negotiator  should  pass  the  winter  there.  In  case, 
then,  an  agreement  can  be  made  between  the  parties,  after  the 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  101 

1636 

minister's  engagement  at  Archangel  lias  terminated,  that  he  may, 

upon  invitation,  continue  there  through  the  winter,  taking  up 

his  residence  at  Wolga,  or  at  Jereslau  —  permission  is  granted 

to  the  minister  to  do  this :   it  being  well  understood  that  he 

shall  remain  there  not  longer  than  a  year;  and  in  the  following 

summer  he  is  to  cross  over  to  Dalaar  (or)   Gersbarte,  so  that 

the  Classis  may  have  not  only  due  knowledge  of  the  location  of 

the  (Minister?)  there,  but  also  that  it  may  remain  with  Classis 

to  decide  whether  to  continue  the  one  thus  commissioned,  or  to 

invite  another  one  in  his  place. 

5.  Also  that  ^vritten  instructions  shall  be  draAvn  up,  in  accord- 
ance with  which  the  commissioned  one  shall  be  obliged  to  con- 
duct himself.  These  shall  be  dra\\m  up  by  the  Classis,  and  sent 
along  with  him. 

6.  That  two  persons  shall  accompany  his  Reverence,  who  shall 

be  chosen  thereto  by  the  Classis   of  the  Reformed 

religion  in  the  Netherlands  language  (or  church?)    

alms,  and  to  receive  them  at  Archangel.  These  shall  also  make 
due  report  of  all  such  moneys  received,  as  well  as  other  moneys 
collected  on  private  occasions.  These  shall  be  brought  hither, 
and  paid  over  to  the  Diaconate  of  the  IN^etherlands  Church,  inas- 
much as  in  the  said  Classis  there  are  no  garonen.  ?  The  said  col- 
lectors shall  be  nominated  with  the  previous  knowledge  and  ad- 
vice of  the  minister,  and  for  the  present  there  are  (nominated?) 
by  the  Classis,  Christian  Mupa  (?)  and  Lawrence  Gossnirs  (?). 

7.  That  the  minister  in  Moscow  (Muscovy)  shall  have  sole  and 
independent  control  of  his  ow^i  church  there;  and  there  must 
not  be  allowed  in  any  mse,  any  assumption  (of  power)  or  influ- 
ence from  the  church  of  Archangel.  This  shall  also  be  clearly 
expressed  in  his  instructions;  especially  because  it  is  not?  un- 
derstood that  the  Rev.  Bergius,  who  is  at  present  located  there, 
did  formerly  send  an  elder  and  deacon  every  year  from  Mos- 
cow to  Archangel,  and  that  this  has  not  subsequently  been  con- 
tinued. (?) 


1636 


102  Ecclesiastical  Records 

8.  That  the  minister  from  (in)  Moscow  (Muscovy),  and  especi- 
ally the  one  in  Archangel  shall  be  maintained  by  his  regular  salary, 
without  receiving  anything  for  baptizing  or  marrying,  or  from 
the  congregation;  so  that  the  honor  and  reputation  of  the  ISTeth- 
erland  Church  in  such  localities  may  suffer  no  disparagement 

xxxix.  11. 

June  Y,  1636. 

6.  Instructions  for  the  Minister  in  Moscow  and  Archangel. 

1.  That  the  teachings  of  God's  Word  be  presented  to  the  peo- 
ple with  prudence,  and  in  a  sound  and  edifying  manner,  and  in 
conformity  with  the  teachings  of  the  JSTational  Synod  recently 
held  at  Dordrecht,  (1618-19);  that  the  Sacraments  be  adminis- 
tered according  to  the  institution  of  Christ,  and  in  conformity 
with  the  general  order  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  this  land,  and 
that  this  be  done  as  often  as  the  condition  of  the  church  there 
may  require  it;  that  also  the  sick  be  visited  and  comforted,  and 
that  church  discipline  be  prudently  attended  to,  according  to 
the  necessities  of  the  church. 

2.  That  the  ministers,  both  at  Moscow  and  at  Archangel,  shall 
concern  themselves  only  with  their  respective  churches,  and  shall 
in  no  wise  assume  to  themselves  what  belongs  to  the  govern- 
ment of  (other)  churches,  there  or  elsewhere. 

3.  That  every  year  a  written  ecclesiastical  report  be  made  to 
the  Classis,  of  the  condition  of  the  two  churches.  This  report 
shall  be  signed  by  the  preachers  and  elders. 

4.  That  each  of  these  preachers  must  refrain  from  all  dis- 
putes, whether  in  behalf  of  or  against  the  Russians,  as  well  as 
with  others  who  have  gone  there,  whether  Lutherans  or  Papists. 

They  shall  also prudently  write but  not 

without  the  advice  of  their  consistories. 

5.  Furthermore,  each  of  these  preachers  must  be  on  his  guard 
against  inducting  any  person  into  the  service  of  the  church,  or 


OF  THE  State  of  JSTew  Yokk.  103 

1636 

into  the  office  of  the  preacher,  without  special  authorization  by 
our  Classis. 

6.  That  each  of  the  said  preachers  shall  be  supported  by  the 
regular  salary  assigned  to  them,  respectively,  by  the  Messrs.  JSTego- 
tiators,  without  laying  any  claim  to,  or  receiving  fees  from,  any- 
body, for  marrying,  baptizing,  or  by  way  of  benefit.  The  in- 
tention of  the  Messrs.  N^egotiators,  which  is  thoroughly  approved, 
being  this :  that  they  are  not  to  be  held  accountable,  outside  the 
said  salary,  for  any  other  expenses,  whether  for  traveling,  or 
for  his  lodgings  there;  but  that  the  preacher  at  Archangel  must 
meet  the  cost  of  his  travel,  and  for  his  lodging  there,  on  the 
best  terms  he  can  make;  and  that  the  be  consti- 
tuted   and  the  married  people,  and  the  children  for 

baptism shall  give zeal,  and  that  such  by  the 

Almighty  may  be 

7.  That  the  minister  sent  to  Archangel  shall  be  required  to 
go  with  one  of  the  first  ships  sailing  thither;  and  return  again 
wdth  the  fleet,  or  at  the  longest  (stay)  there  during  the  summer, 
according  to  the  articles  of  the  ]^egotiators,  concerning  this  ser- 
vice,    xxxix.  12. 

June  7,  1636. 

7.     Drawn  up  by  the  Classis  and  approved  by  the  College  of  the 
Admiralty,  at  Amsterdam,  Nov.  28,  1636. 

Form    of    Admiapringe    (appointments?)    and    Instruction    for 
Licentiates  (Proponents)  sailing  upon  Men-of-War. 

Whereas,  it  is  suitable  and  necessary,  for  the  promoting  of 
God's  glory  and  the  salvation  of  men,  that  there  should  be  in- 
stituted upon  Men-of-War  (periods  of)  Eeligious  Meditations, 
when,  at  appointed  times,  God's  Word  should  be  preached  in  a 
praiseworthy  manner;  God's  Name  be  publicly  invoked;  and  the 
people  be  admonished  into  true  piety;  and,  in  addition,  that  men 
may  be  edified  and  comforted  in  a  Christian  manner,  when  in  dis- 


1636 


104  Ecclesiastical  Records 

couragement,  or  illness,  and  especially  when  in  the  hour  of  death : 
Therefore,  We,  Ministers  of  the  Word,  and  Elders  of  the  Church 
of  Christ,  belonging  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord,  and  ^A-itli  the  invocation  of  his  Xame,  have  adjudged 
the  licentiate  (proponent)  ^.  X.  —  who  has  also  exhibited  land- 
able  certificates  both  as  to  his  soundness  of  doctrine  and  piety 
of  life :  and  who,  after  the  customary  examination  in  the  prin- 
cipal Articles  of  the  Christian  Religion,  and  his  subscription  to 
the  Eormulae  of  Concord  —  as  a  suitable  person  to  enter  upon, 
and  undertake  the  ofiice  of  Proponent,  on  the  War  Elect:  for 
which  service  he  has  also  been  accepted  by  the  High  Mighty,  the 
Messrs.,  the  College  of  Admiralty : 

And  in  order  that  he  may  become  kno"\;\Ti  as  such  to  every  one 
whom  it  may  concern,  and  that  they  may  know  how  he  must  con- 
duct himself  in  this  his  office,  this  Letter  of  Instruction  is  sent 
with  him :  Therein  it  is  ordered,  that  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  on 
other  proper  occasions  he  shall  preach  a  sermon  on  God's  Word, 
with  all  edification,  and  unto  the  instruction,  admonition,  com- 
fort and  rebuke  of  the  people. 

He  shall  also  comfort  and  instruct  those  lying  at  the  point  of 
death;  and  also  other  sick  and  distressed  ones,  in  their  necessi- 
ties and  discouragements,  out  of  the  Word  of  God.  Also,  be- 
sides, in  private,  he  must  admonish  every  one  upon  occasion,  and 
particularly  against  cursing,  swearing,  and  the  thoughtless  abuse 
of  the  name  of  the  Lord,  etc.,  and  earnestly  warn  them. 

And  inasmuch  as  the  said  ]^.  ^.  has  agreed  and  promised 
faithfully  to  observe  all  this,  and  to  accompany  his  ministry  with 
a  Christian  and  pious  walk:  Therefore  we  request  all  whom 
it  may  concern,  to  respect  him  very  highly,  (lit.  to  hold  the  same 
in  peace)  as  the  servant  of  Christ,  for  his  office  and  work's  sake : 
also,  so  far  as  is  possible,  to  aid  him,  in  order  that  he  may  per- 
form his  duties  unhindered,  and  with  gladness,  to  the  magnify- 
ing of  God's  Holy  'Name  and  the  conversion  and  salvation  of 
manv. 


OF  THE  State  of  ^NTew  York.  105 

1636 

Thus  done  in   our  Classical  Assembly,   signed  by  ns  in  the 

name  of  all.     xxxix.  13. 

June  1,  1636. 

8.     Form  of  Instruction  for  Preacliers  on  Men-of-War. 

Whereas  it  is  proper  and  necessary  for  the  advancement  of 
God's  glory  and  the  salvation  of  men,  that  God's  Word  should 
be  preached  on  the  Ships  of  War,  in  its  purity;  that  God's  name 
should  be  publicly  invoked;  that  the  Holy  Sacraments  should  be 
administered  on  occasion:  that  the  people  should  be  admonished 
to  greater  piety,  and  be  edified  and  comforted  in  a  Christian  man- 
ner, in  times  of  need,  in  illness,  and  especially  in  the  hour  of 
death :  Therefore,  We,  Ministers  of  the  Divine  Word,  and  Elders 
of  the  Church  of  Christ,  belonging  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  after  invoking  his  ISTame;  with  the 
consent  and  approval  of  the  !N'oble  and  Mighty,  the  Messrs.  Coun- 
cil of  the  Admiralty  of  the  College  of  Amsterdam;  after  previous 
and  due  investigation  and  examination  of  him  on  the  principal 
points  of  Christian  doctrine;  and  after  sufiicient  evidence  of  his 
piety  of  life;  also  after  the  finding  of  the  necessary  gifts  and 
qualifications  in  him  to  present  the  Word  of  the  Lord  unto  edifi- 
cation ;  and  after  his  previous  subscription  of  the  I^etherland  Con- 
fession, the  Christian  Catechism,  and  the  Canones  Synodi  !N"a- 
tionalis  Dordrechtis:  have  solemnly  ordained,  with  the  laying  on 
of  hands,  and  by  these  presents  do  ordain,  the  reverend,  pious, 

and  highly-learned  N ^N" ,  to  occupy  the  office  of  a 

preacher  on  the  Vv^ar  Fleet,  and  to  perform  all  the  functions 
thereof,  as  becomes  a  pious  and  faithful  servant  of  Jesus  Christ. 
And,  to  the  end  that  the  same  may  be  kno^m  as  such,  to  every 
one  whom  it  may  concern,  and  since  he  has  agreed  and  promised 
faithfully  to  observe  this,  his  ministry,  in  everything,  according 
to  God's  Word,  and  to  pursue  it  with  a  pious  walk:  Therefore 
have  we  given  unto  him  these  letters  of  Listruction,  Avith  the  re- 
quest that  every  one,  whom  it  may  concern,  will  be  pleased  to 
hold  the  same  in  honor,  as  a  servant  of  Christ,  for  his  office  and 


1636 


106  Ecclesiastical  Records 

work's  sake;  also  to  assist  him,  as  far  as  possible,  in  order  that 
he  may  perform  his  office  unhindered  and  with  gladness,  to  the 
magnifying  of  God's  Holy  Name,  and  the  conversion  and  salva- 
tion of  many.  / 

Thus  done  in  our  Classical  Assembly  on 

Signed  by  us  in  the  name  of  all 

xxxix.  14. 

June  Y,  1636. 

9.  Instructions  for  the  Minister  going  to  Smyrna,  drawn  up  by 
order  of  the  Eev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  (Given  to  Domine 
Thomas  Koenen?) 

1.  He  shall  present  and  proclaim  to  the  people  the  teaching  of 
the  Divine  Word  in  a  sound  and  edifying  manner,  and  with  all 
prudence;  he  shall  administer  the  Sacraments  instituted  by  Christ 
as  frequently  as  the  condition  of  the  place  and  the  congregation 
shall  require;  he  shall  duly  visit  and  comfort  the  sick,  and  also 
administer  church  discipline  as  occasion  requires,  but  with  all 
prudence;  he  shall  also  hold  catechetical  exercises  with  all  dili- 
gence, so  far  as  it  may  be  practicable;  and  he  shall  take  care  that 
everything  be  done  in  conformity  with  God's  Word,  and  with 
the  confession  of  Faith,  the  Christian  Catechism,  and  the  decrees 
of  the  last  ISTational  Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht,  (1618-19),  and 
as  is  the  usual  practice  here  in  this  country,  in  our  Reformed 
Churches. 

2.  He  shall  also  maintain  a  proper  correspondence  with  this 
Classis,  and  advise  it  of  all  extraordinary  events,  if  time  permit 
him,  and  annually  to  report  in  writing  the  state  of  the  church. 
To  this  end,  he  shall  suitably  note  down  all  events  as  they  take 
place  in  a  church-book. 

3.  And  as  soon  as  he  arrives  there,  he  shall  endeavor  to  estab- 
lish a  church  among  people  of  our  own  nation.  To  this  end  he 
shall  seek  to  ascertain  of what  members  there  are 


OF  THE  State  of  'N'ew  York.  107 

there  of  the  Reformed  Eeligion,  and  he  must  give  special  attention 
to  all  such,  so  as  to  promote  an  edifying  walk  among  them,  and 
purity  of  doctrine,  that  he  may  from  them  gather  members,  and 
form  capable  material,  that  he  may,  as  opportunity  serves,  select 
and  establish  a  Consistory. 

4.  And  in  order  that  the  preacher  now  going  there  may  be  pro- 
vided with  some  help,  he  shall  for  the  present  discriminatingly 
seek  to  employ  the  help  and  advice  of  Mr.  Consul  in  necessary 
cases. 

6.  When  the  minister  has  been  there  for  some  time,  and  there 
shall  have  been  found  among  those  of  our  own  nationality  fit 
material;  or  when  other  pious  and  experienced  persons  shall  have 
joined  those  already  there;  and  some  of  these  have  been  induced 
temporarily,  to  exercise  the  duties  of  Elders  and  Deacons,  until 
such  time  as,  under  the  mighty  blessing  of  God,  the  hoped  for 
church  shall  be  erected  there;  —  then,  when  the  people  shall  have 
so  increased  that  it  has  become  possible,  shall  they  proceed,  ac- 
cording to  the  usual  Order  of  the  Church  in  this  country,  to  the 
regular  election  of  Elders  and  Deacons. 

6.  In  the  reception  of  members,  and  the  baptizing  of  children 
or  adults,  he  shall  (act)  according  to  the  Order  and  custom  which 
are  in  use  in  this  country.  Thus  may  everything  be  done  with 
proper  regularity  and  prudence,  and  offences  be  avoided  as  much 
as  possible,  and  the  glory  of  the  church  preserved  and  upheld. 

Y.  And  if  any  come  from  other  places,  and  represent  them- 
selves as  church  members  of  the  Reformed  Religion,  and  request 
to  be  admitted  to  the  Communion,  but  without  having  with  them 
their  church  certificates;  it  ^vill  be  expedient  to  inquire,  as  far  as 
possible,  into  the  deportment  of  each  one  of  them.  If  nothing  be 
found  against  them,  they  shall  be  temporarily  admitted  upon  such 
evidence  and  during  their  abode  in  that  place,  as  transients, 
(passants).  In  the  meantime  they  are  to  be  admonished  to  bring 
their  certificates  with  them  another  time. 


1636 


1636 


108  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

8.  He  sliall  also  constantly  give  lieed,  and,  as  far  as  practicable, 
maintain  conformity  in  everything,  with  the  practice  of  the  church 
in  this  land,  in  reference  to  betrothments  and  marriage,  (onder- 
troiiwen  and  tronwen,)  if  snch  circumstances  arise  there;  and 
regulate  himself  therein  in  accordance  with  the  marriage-law  or 
the  civil  ordinance  in  the  matter  of  marriage  made  by  this  State. 

9.  He  shall  also  take  care  that  collections  of  alms  be  made  at 
religious  gatherings,  and  a  careful  account  of  the  same  be  kept. 
Out  of  these,  on  occasion,  needy  transients  (passants)  and  the 
poor  church  members,  or  also  captive  slaves  may  be  aided,  and 
comforted. 

10.  He  shall  also  keep  a  correct  register  of  all  the  members, 
and  of  those  who  are  baptized  and  are  married. 

According  to  these  Instructions  the  said  I^.  IST.  is  ordered  to 
conduct  himself  in  his  office.  He,  on  his  part,  has  promised  so 
to  do,  according  to  his  act  of  Call;  and  according  to  the  estab- 
lished Form,  these  Instructions  are  also  given  him. 

The  Hon.  Consul  has  been  pleased  to  agree  to  these  points  of 
Instruction.    At  the  same  time  it  is  recommended  to  his  Honor, 

1.  To  keep  a  register  of  those  who  die  there. 

2.  To  attend  to  the  matter  of  organizing  a  school  for  the  in- 
struction of  the  youth  in  reading  and  writing  and  the  knowledge 
of  the  Christian  religion. 

The  first  his  Honor  (the  Consul?)  has  deemed  very  necessary. 
The  second  to  be  deserving  of  further  consideration,     xxxix. 
17,  18. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

(West  Indies.) 

Inquiry  about  a  certain  paper. 

1636,  Aug.  4th. 

Whereas  the  Assembly  has  understood  that  the  said  ^vritings 
from  the  consistory  in  the  West  Indies,  sent  to  the  Fatherland, 
are  in  the  keeping  of  the  Hon.  Councillor  Carpentier;  the  said 


OF  THE  State  of  JSTew  York.  109 

1636 

brethren  shall  address  his  Hon.   in  order  to  ascertain  to  whom 

these  said  papers  belong.     This  was  done;  but  no  papers  for  us 

were  found,     iv.  79;  xxxix.  22. 

(West  Indies.) 

There  was  read  a  copy  of  a  lengthy  paper,  which  was  sent  to 
the  Messrs.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  by  Christian 
Hachtoo  (or  Ibachtoo)  who  w^as  formerly  a  minister  in  the  West 
Indies.  And  the  Committee  ad  confus  Indicus  were  directed  to 
peruse  together  the  said  paper,  and  to  extract  therefrom  the  most 
noteworthy  matters,  and  to  present  the  same  at  the  next  meeting, 
iv.  79;  xxxix.  22.     [See  Oct.   5,1637.] 

(Plan  for  West  Indian  Churches.) 

The  Assembly  commissioned  Rev.  Hachendorsius,  Rev.  Ohars-' 
chius,  Rev.  Meefius  (^eefius?)  and  Rev.  ISTitmordonchius  to  de- 
vise among  themselves  a  certain  Plan  (Concert)  in  accordance  with 
which  the  churches  in  the  West  Indies  may  be  governed  edifyingly 
and  with  good  order;  and  the  said  Brethren  shall  report  the  same 
to  the  Classis.     iv.  80;  xxxix.  22. 

Syintod  of  ]^oe,th  Holland,  at  ENKHUYSEiq". 

1636,  Sept.  9,  et  seq. 

Art.  34.     Preacher  for  the  West  Indies. 

His  Excellency,  Count  (John)  Maurice,  of  ISTassau,  about  to 
proceed  to  the  West  Indies,  (Brazil)  has  made  request  that  a 
thoughtful  and  capable  minister  be  selected,  to  be  sent  to  the  West 
Indies  in  accordance  with  Church-Rules.  This  request  was  par- 
ticularly pleasing  to  this  Synod,  and  it  was  resolved,  that  the 
Classes  shall  give  heed  to  it  at  the  earliest  opportunity;  and  if 
they  learn  of  any  one  disposed  to  go  thither  to  inform  the  Church 
of  Amsterdam.  The  Rev.  Correspondents  (of  other  Synods)  mil 
also  be  pleased  to  do  the  same. 


1636 


110  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1636.     Art.  35.     (Under  the  Ministerial  Changes  this  year  oc- 
curs the  following  item:) 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Sent  to  the  West  Indies,  (Brazil)  Rev.  Joannes  Polliemns.* 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

Plan  for  the  partial  government  of  the  West  Indian  Churches. 

1636. 

1636   [Fall.] 

The  plan  drawn  up  by  the  above  mentioned  brethren  was  read, 
relating  to  the  regulation  of  the  churches  in  Brazil.  It  was  re- 
solved that  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Classis  this  shall  be  morei 
fully  discussed,  and  maturer  consideration  be  given  to  every  par- 
ticular,   xxxix.  23. 

(East  and  West  Indies.) 

(1637,  April  6th.) 

It  was  resolved  to  ask  advice  of  the  Synod  .  .•. whether 

the  Comforters  of  the  Sick,  [Siecken-Troosters]  going  to  the 
East  and  West  Indies,  in  cases  that  may  arise,  shall  be  permitted 
to  perform  the  marriage  ceremony  and  to  baptize,  iv.  90; 
xxxix.  27. 

[Committee  on  Indian  Affairs.] 

(1637,  April  6th.) 

Rev.  Moure ourtius  having  been  a  member  of  the  Committee 
on  Indian  Affairs,  and  having  sen-ed  out  his  term  of  two  years, 
requested  to  be  discharged  from  his  office.  The  Classis  resolved, 
to  continue  Rev.  Aarsenius,  Rev.  Meursius;  and  to  them  are 
added  Rev.  Treteatius  and  Rev.  John  Ambrosius.  iv.  90; 
xxxix.  27. 

*  This  is  tlie  Johannes  Theodorus  Polhemus,  who,  with  the  loss  of  Brazil  to  the 
Dutch  in  1654,  came  to  Long  Island,  and  established  Dutch  Churches  there,  and  is 
ancestor  of  the  Polhemus  family  in  America. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  Ill 

Syi^^od  of  ISToRTH  Holland,  at  Edam. 

1637,  Aug.  10  et  seq. 
Art.  29.     Ministerial  Changes.     (Among  many  others:) 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Sent  to  the  West  Indies:  Domine  Fredericus  Keslems, 
preacher  at  Amsterdam.  Domine  Franciscus  Planti,  newly  or- 
dained to  the  service. 

Classis  of  Enkhuysen. 

Domine  David  a'Doreslaer,  called,  examined  and  sent,  as 
minister  to  Brazil. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Jonas  Michaelius. 

1637,  Sept.  7th. 

Whereas  the  Messrs.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company 
request  a  minister  for  'New  E'etherland;  and  since  Eev.  Jonas 
Michaelius  is  now  present  here  (in  Holland)  without  a  charge; 
the  Brethren  resolve  that  the  Deputies  on  Indian  Affairs  must 
put  forth  every  endeavor  to  persuade  him  to  the  acceptance  of 
this  service.  Having  done  this,  they  will  recommend  him  most 
favorably  to  the  Directors,     iv.  103;  also  in  xxxix.  33. 

1637,  Oct.  5th. 

The  Brethren,  the  Deputies  on  Indian  Affairs  report,  that 
they  had  recommended  and  proposed  Rev.  Jonas  Michaelius 
(Dominum  Jonam  Michaelium)  to  the  Directors;  but  they  had 
finally  given  as  an  answer,  that  when  they  had  need  of  him, 
they  would  summon  him.  This  greatly  displeased  the  (Classical) 
Assembly,     iv.  107;  xxxix.  34. 


1637 


112  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1637 

Iis^DiA^^s  (East  and  West). 

Plan  to  be  devised  to  reach  tliem. 

Althongli  several  matters  remain  unfinished  which  ought  to  be 
attended  to,  It  was  resolved  to  come  to  some  decision  regarding 
these  savage  men  of  the  East  and  West  Indies,  at  the  first  extra 
Classical  session,  and  to  send  such  decisions  to  the  churches  there. 
In  case  that  extra  session  should  become  too  prolonged,  it  shall 
then  and  there  write  specially  to  the  (regular  meeting  of  the) 
Classis,  (a  statement  of  the  whole  case);  after  which  it  shall 
take  up  the  case  of  Christian  Hachtoo,  allusion  to  which  shall 
also  be  made  at  the  same  time,  in  the  same  special  communication 
to  the  (regular)  Classis.    iv.  107;  xxxix.  34. 

Affaies  i]sr  THE  West  Ixdies. 

1637,  ]S^ov.  16th. 

Concerning  affairs  in  the  West  Indies  it  was  reported,  1.  That 
their  Acta  had  been  sent  to  the  Svnod  of  ]!Torth  Holland  and 
to  the  churches  of  the  Mouse,  (Maes);  2.  That  the  Acta  of  our 
Synod,  from  the  year  1620  to  the  present  time  (1637)  will  be 
sent  to  them;  3.  That  some  copies  (specimens)  of  the  Marriage 
Ordinance,  adopted  by  the  High  Authorities  here,  will  be  sent 
thither;  4.  Touching  the  baptism  of  unbaptized  children  of  Bra- 
zilians, negroes  and  others :  Inasmuch  as  this  matter  has  been 
referred  to  the  Synod,  (of  Xorth  Holland,)  and  has  been  acted 
on  by  them,  their  action  will  be  sent  over,  (to  Brazil.)  At  the 
same  time  they  ^Yi\l  be  told,  that  so  far  as  our  Classis  is  con- 
cerned, she  has  much  mshed  that  the  casus  had  been  somewhat 

more    specifically    stated,    and   particularly It    had 

really  also  the  intention,  to  question  the  children  of  Brazilians, 
before  they  were  adopted,  and  so  passed  over  into  familiam 
Christianorum.     The  Brethren  deputed  on  Indian  Affairs  will 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yokk.  H 


o 


correct  the  letters  for  both  the  Indies  (East  and  West)  and 
bring  them  in  at  the  next  meeting  of  Classis.  iv.  Ill;  xxxix. 
35,  36. 

Jonas  Michaelius. 

1637,  E'ov.  16th. 

The  case  of  Eev.  Jonas  Michaelius  and  Peter  Jansz.  Lantman 

shall  be  brought  anew  before  the  Directors  by  the  Deputies,  and 

be  earnestly  recommended,    iv.  113;  xxxix.  37. 
8 


1637 


1638 


114  Ecclesiastical  Records  ^. 

ADMINISTEATION^  OP  WILLIAM  KIEFT. 

1638-1646. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

(West  Indies.) 

(1638,  April  10.) 

It  was  represented  to  the  Hon.  Messrs.  Directors  (of  the  West 

India  Company?)  by  the  East  India  Company, which 

also  by  ministers  in  Brazil   answered  to  this  with 

the  first  now  expected the  advice  of  the  Assembly 

of  the  XIX 

There  were  also  handed  over  the  Synodical  Acta  from  the 
year  1618  to  1638.  It  was  promised  to  recommend  this  business 
in  the  most  favorable  manner  to  the  said  Assembly. 

In  reference  to  the  marriage  ordinances,  it  was  answered  that 
some  had  been  sent  before,  and  more  would  be  sent. 

On  May  15  the  Directors  informed  Rev.  Somerus  that  the  As- 
sembly of  the  XIX  had  agreed  to  the  suggestion,  and  requested 
two  ministers,  as  well  as  Siecken-Troosters,  and  Schoolmasters. 
Thereupon  it  was  resolved  to  recommend  as  ministers  Rev.  Jonas 
Michaelius,  Abraham  Middlehovius,  and  Peter  Jansen  Lantman; 
as  Siecken-Troosters,  Isaac  Abrahams  and  Peter  Wernerius,  of 
Meppel;  as  Schoolmaster  Philip  Cyriacus  Xicolaus.  These 
recommendations  were  announced  on  20th  inst.  to  the  Directors 
by  the  Deputies.  Answer  was  given  that  the  decision  of  the 
Company  shall  be  made  known  to  the  Brethren  through  their 
Committee,  as  soon  as  possible,     xxxix.  40. 

Resolution'  of  the  States  General  ueging  the  Colonization 

OF  Xew  ITetheeland. 

1638,  April  26. 

Whereas  their  High  Mightinesses  learn  that  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  good  and  pious  clergymen  have  not  been  sent  to  labor  at 
Brazil  in  the  harvest  of  the  Lord:  also  that  church  discipline 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  115 

1638 

has  not  been  dnly  introduced,  mucli  less  practiced  there,  nor 
even  order  taken  for  the  establishment  of  schools  for  the  educa- 
tion of  the  rising  youth,  that  they  may  be  brought  up  in  religion 
and  piety. 

Secondly,  their  High  Mightinesses  receive  additional  informa- 
tion that  the  population  in  ]^ew  ITetherland  does  not  only  not 
increase  as  it  ought,  but  even  that  the  population  which  had 
been  commenced  is  decreasing,  and  appears  to  be  neglected  by 
the  West  India  Company,  so  that  the  inhabitants  of  foreign 
princes  and  potentates,  are  endeavoring  to  incorporate  'New  I^Teth- 
erland,  and  if  not  seasonably  attended  to,  will  at  once  entirely 
overrun  it. 

Therefore  their  High  Mightinesses,  after  previous  delibera- 
tion, have  resolved  and  concluded  on  the  first  point,  hereby  to 
instruct  and  authorize  their  ^eputies  to  the  Assembly  of  the 
XIX.,  that  in  conjunction  with  the  present  delegates  from  the 
respective  Chambers  to  said  Assembly,  they  assist  in  making  and 
enacting  such  order,  that  Divine  Worship  in  Brazil  be  duly  at- 
tended to,  church  ordinance  and  discipline  introduced  and  prac- 
ticed, and  the  rising  youth  educated  and  brought  up  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord  and  in  the  Christian  Reformed  religion. 

On  the  second  point,  their  High  Mightinesses  have  resolved 
and  concluded,  that  before  the  present  delegates  from  the  re- 
spective Chambers  to  the  aforesaid  present  Assembly  of  the  XIX. 
adjourn,  their  High  Mightinesses'  deputies  shall  assist  in  making 
and  enacting  such  effectual  order  regarding  the  population  of 
ISTew  Xetherland,  and  thereunto  invite  all  good  inhabitants  of 
these  ]N^etherlands  by  such  inducements  and  pre-eminences  as, 
with  the  approbation  of  their  High  Mightinesses,  they  shall  re- 
solve to  offer  to  all  colonists,  so  that  this  State  may  not  be 
deprived  of  the  aforesaid  Xew  Xetherland,  by  any  indirect  under- 
hand dealing  of  some  inhabitants  of  this  country,  and  the  intru- 
sion and  invasion  of  those  of  foreign  princes  and  potentates. — 
Col.  Docs.  K  Y.  i.  106. 


1638 


116  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

Jonas  Michaelius. 

1638,  June  7th. 

The  Brethren  Deputati  ad  Ees  Indicas  reported  that  they  had 

recommended  to  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  as 

ministers,  Eev.  Jonas  Michaelins,  Rev.  Middlehovius,  and  Rev. 

Peter  Jansz.  Lantsman.     Of  these  three,  Peter  Jansz.  alone  is 

accepted,  while  they  give  little  or  no  hope  to  the  other  two.     It 

was  now  resolved  to  ask  for  a  more  definite  reply  concerning 

the  first  two.     iv.  125,  xxxix.  41. 

1638,  July  5th. 

Concerning  the  Revs.  Jonas  Michaelins"^  and  Middelhonvius, 
the  Deputati  ad  Res  Indicas  reported,  that  they  understood  from 
the  Hon.  President  of  the  "West  India  Company  that  the  rejec- 
tion of  those  two  individuals  had  been  announced  by  his  Honor, 
in  the  name  of  the  Assembly,  (l^e  Assembly  of  the  XIX,  or 
Governing  Board  of  the  West  India  Company.)  iv.  129; 
xxxix.  42. 

^OTE  ON"  Rev.  Joannes  Michielsen   in  England. 

On  May  10/20,  1641,  the  Dutch  Church  of  Yarmouth,  Eng- 
land, wrote  to  the  Dutch  Church  of  London,  asking  for  some 
pecuniary  assistance.  They  had  temporarily  secured  the  services 
of  Rev.  Joannes  Michielsen  through  one  of  their  Elders  who  had 
met  him  in  Zeeland.  Of  this  they  were  very  glad,  as  they  had 
long  been  without  a  minister,  and  they  were  hungering  for  the 
bread  of  life.  This  Michielsen  had  been  with  them  about  ten 
weeks  to  their  great  edification.  He  was  now  about  to  depart 
and  they  mshed  to  reward  him  for  his  services. —  Archives  of 
the  Dutch  Church  of  London,  Document  2610. 

On  Sept.  4/14,  1641,  the  Dutch  Church  of  Maidstone,  wrote 
to  the  Colloque  (Synod)    of  the  Dutch  Churches  in  London,  that 

*  This  is  the  last  reference  in  the  minutes  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  this 
individual.  From  preceding  documents  it  will  be  seen  that  his  father's  name  was 
Joannes,  and  he  was  probably  thus  called  sometimes  himself.  He  may  have  had  a 
son  Joannes,  if  the  following  documents  do  not  refer  to  himself.  It  may  possibly 
suggest  Zeeland  as  a  place  to  seek  for  further  light  on  the  subsequent  history  of 
the  first  minister  of  New  York. 


OF  THE  State  of  N^ew  York.  117 

they  were  about  to  engage  as  their  minister  Eev.  Joannes 
Mijchijlsen,  and  hence  they  sent  their  elder,  Danneel  Beeckman 
to  confer  with  the  Colloqne  on  the  subject. —  Document  2632. 

On  October  27  (N.  S.  'Nov.  G)  1641,  Kev.  Joannes  Michielsen 
wrote  to  the  Dutch  Church  at  London. 

He  refers  to  the  fact  that  when  traveling  some  weeks  before 
to  Yarmouth,  by  way  of  London,  he  had  promised  the  Elders 
of  the  Dutch  Church  of  Maidstone  that  he  would  come  to  them, 
in  case  he  received  no  summons  from  Holland;  but  he  had  re^ 
ceived  such  a  summons,  and  hence  he  could  not  fulfill  the  con- 
ditional engagement.  He  was  about  going  to  Zeeland. —  Docu- 
ment 2640. 

On  :N'ov.  16/26,  1641,  the  Dutch  Church  of  Maidstone  wrote 
to  the  Dutch  Church  of  London,  asking  for  information  as  to 
what  the  CoUoque  of  Dutch  Churches  in  London  had  done.  Mr. 
Michielsen  had  written  them  that  he  would  come  to  them  in  two 
or  three  weeks,  but  two  months  had  now  passed. —  Document 
2644.  :; 

[N'OTE  ON"  THE  DuTCH  IN  El^GLAlSTD. 

Statement  of  the  number  of   the  members  of   the    Foreign 
Churches  in  England,  Feb.  23  (N.  S.)  1634. 

French  and  Walloons  of  London 1,400 

Dutch  of  London 840 

Walloons  of  Canterbury 900 

Dutch  of  Colchester , . . 700 

Walloons  of  Norwich 396 

Dutch  of  Norwich 363 

Dutch  of  Maidstone 50 

Dutch  of  Sandwich 500 

Dutch  of  Yarmouth 28 

Walloons  of  Southampton , 36 

5,213 

,  ^      ■  .  -  .■     — 


1641 


1638 


118  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

Document  2347  in  tlie  Ecclesiae-Londino-Batavae  Archivnin. 
Publislied  1897,  (or  Archives  of  the  Dutch  Church  of  London.) 

EVERAEDUS    BOGAEDIJS. 
Resolution  to  retain  him  as  Minister  of  the  Gospel. 

On  Thursday,  being  the  8th  of  July.  (1638.):  In  Council  presented  a  certain  peti- 
tion by  Everardus  Bogardus,  wherein  he  requests  leave  to  depart  for  Fatherland,  to 
defend  himself  against  Lubbert  van  Dincklage. 

We  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  retain  the  Minister  here,  so  that  the  Church  of 
God  may  increase  more  and  more  every  day. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  10. 

Mortgage  on  Achtervelt,  L.  I.,  given  by  Andries  Hudde  to  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus. 

To-day,  date  underwritten,  before  me,  Cornells  van  Tienhoven,  Secretary  of  New 
Netherland,  appeared  Andries  Hudde,  formerly  Commissary  of  store  goods  here  in 
New  Netherland,  who  voluntarily  acknowledged  to  be  well  and  truly  indebted  for 
the  sum  of  six  hundred  Carolus  guilders  of  Holland,  arising  out  of  a  certain  bond 
given  by  the  said  Hudde  to  Everardus  Bogardus  preacher  in  this  place,  on  the  first 
of  July  1637,  which  sum  the  said  Hudde  promises  truly  and  faithfully  to  deliver 
and  pay  free  of  costs  and  charges  and  without  any  gainsay  into  the  hands  of  said 
Bogardus;  pledging  to  that  end  all  his  property,  as  well  his  buildings  and  animals 
as  otherwise,  which  the  deponent  may  have  here  in  New  Netherland  and  at  present 
located  in  the  district  of  Achtervelt,  placing  him,  Bogardus,  as  he  hereby  does,  in 
possession  of  the  effects  aforesaid  and  finally  and  wholly  conveying  and  transferring 
to  him  the  property  aforesaid  to  him,  Andries  Hudde,  belonging  and  that  to  the 
amount  of  the  above  said  sum.  For  all  which  the  deponent  pledges  his  person  and 
property,  real  and  personal,  present  and  future,  without  any  exception,  submitting 
to  the  Provincial  Court  of  Holland,  in  all  good  faith  is  this  confirmed  by  deponent's 
'Usual  signature. 

Done  upon  the  Island  Manhates,  this  22nd  of  July  1638.  A.  Hudde.—  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.  xiv.  12. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Classical  Seal. 

1638,  Aug.  2nd. 

The  brethren  deputed  to  devise  a  Classical  Seal,  submitted  to 
the  (Classical)  Assembly  some  (designs)  dra^vn  on  paper  by  them. 
The  one  which  was  adopted  by  a  majority  of  votes  contained  the 
words, 

VERITAS  ET   PAX 

with  aU  open  Bible,  and  an  olive  branch  lying  T\dthin  it,  and  shoot- 
ing up  out  of  it,     iv.  132. 


OF  THE  State  of  E'ew  York.  119 

1638 

List  of  Buildings  erected  in  'New  ^N^etherland  during  Wouter  Van 

Twiller's  Administration,   1633-1638.      Among  these  are  the 

following  references  to  the  Church. 

The  Church  with  a  house  and  stable  behind  it.  (On  the  north 
side  of  Pearl  street,  [No.  33]  between  Whitehall  and  Broad 
streets.) 

The  house  of  Domine  Bogardus. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  16. 

Sykod  of  ]N'orth  Holi^nd,  at  Alckmaer. 

1638,  Aug.  16   et  seq. 
Article  21. 

In  regard  to  Art.  34,  touching  the  introduction  of  these  Eng- 
lish ceremonies,  (responsive  readings),  it  has  been  learned  that 
some  very  good  endeavors  have  been  made  about  (in  opposition 
to)  these  things  by  the  respective  Deputies  of  the  Synod  and  the 
Classis  of  the  Hague.  This  business,  therefore,  remains  thus  far 
in  statu  quo. 

1638.     Art.   28.     (Among  reports  from  the  several  provincial 
Synods,  appears  this  item  on  p.  14  from  Utrecht). 
The  result  is  awaited,  concerning  the  care  of  (or  provision  for) 
the  East  and  West  Indian  Churches. 

1638.     Art.  29.     Ministerial  Changes. 

Classis  of  Alckmaer: 

Eemoved:     Rev.   Joannes  Megapolensis,   from  Wieringerweert, 

Classis  of  Edam,  to  Schoorl  and  Bergen. 

1638.  Art.  30.  (Interesting  discussion  about  the  newly  trans- 
lated Bible,  but  not  properly  belonging  to  ISTew  York  State 
history). 


1638 


120  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

1638.     Art.  33.     Gravamina  of  the  Classis  of  Enkhuysen. 

AYhetlier   persons   who   have  not  Answer:     That  the  maintenance 

studied,  and  who  wish  to  let  them-  of  the  laws  of  the  National  Synod, 
selves  be  used  as  preachers  or  pro-  rog^arding  this  article,  in  so  far  as 
ponents  in  the  employ  of  the  East  it  is  any  way  possible,  shall  be  ob- 
or  West  India  Company,  are  or  are  served;  and  shall  not  be  over- 
not  exempt  from  that  rule,  estab-  stepped,  except  in  some  great  ne- 
lished  by  the  National  Synod,  re-  cessity.  And  that  therefore  those 
garding  those  persons  who  have  not  Classes  or  Churches,  where  there 
studied:  Art.  3,  of  that  Church  are  Chambers  of  the  East  or  West 
order?  India  Company,  shall  proceed  with 

discretion  herein.  But  first,  as  re- 
gards those  persons  who,  as  read- 
ers, or  sieckentroosters  go 

to  the  East  or  West  Indies  and  come  back  here  again  as  preach- 
ers; or,  secondly:  as  regards  such,  who,  only  in  case  of  necessity, 
are  qualified  here,  in  this  land,  and  are  accepted  as  preachers  for 
the  East  and  West  Indies,  and  subsequently,  also  come  back  here 
again,  from  those  lands,  as  preachers :  —  on  this  matter,  action 
shall  be  taken  at  the  next  Synod,  at  Haerlem,  Anno,  1639.  The 
Classis,  meanwhile,  remains  charged  by  Synod  to  write  a  grava- 
men, about  this  matter,  to  the  several  Classes. 

Peoposed  Articles   for   Colonization  and   Trade   of  IN'ew 

ISTetherland. 

1638,  Aug.  30-Sept.  2. 

On  the  subject  of  religion: 

2.  And  inasmuch  as  it  is  of  the  highest  importance,  that  in 
the  first  commencement  and  settlement  of  this  population,  proper 
arrangement  be  made  for  Divine  worship,  according  to  the  prac- 
tice established  by  the  government  of  this  country ;  Religion  shall 
be  taught  and  preached  there  according  to  the  Confession  and 
formularies  of  union  here  publicly  accepted  in  the  respective 
churches,  wdth  which  every  one  shall  be  s-atisfied  and  content; 
without,  ho^vever,  it  being  inferred  from  this,  that  any  person 
shall  be  hereby  in  any  mse  constrained  or  aggrieved  in  his  con- 
science, but  every  man  shall  be  free  to  live  up  to  his  own  in  peace 
and  decorum;  provided  he  avoid  frequenting  any  forbidden  assem- 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  121 

blies  or  conventicles,  much  less  collect  or  get  np  any  such;  and 
further  abstain  from  all  public  scandals  and  offences,  which  the 
magistrate  is  charged  to  prevent  by  all  fitting  reproofs  and  ad- 
monitions, and  if  necessary,  to  advise  the  Company,  from  time 
to  time,  of  what  may  occur  there  herein,  so  that  confusions  and 
misunderstandings  may  be  timely  obviated  and  prevented,  p.  110. 
8.  Each  householder  and  inhabitant  shall  bear  such  tax  and 
public  charge  as  shall  hereafter  be  considered  proper  for  the 
maintenance  of  Clergymen,  Comforters  of  the  Sick,  School- 
masters and  such  like  necessary  officers;  and  the  Director  and 
Council  there  shall  be  written  to  touching  the  form  hereof,  in 
order,  on  receiving  further  information  hereupon,  it  be  rendered 
the  least  onerous  and  vexatious,     p.  112. 

All  those  who  will  be  inclined  to  go  thither,  to  inhabit  the 
country  or  to  trade,  shall  severally  declare  under  their  signa- 
tures, that  they  will  voluntarily  submit  to  these  regulations,  and 
to  the  orders  of  the  Company,  and  shall  allow  all  questions  and 
differences  there  arising  to  be  decided  by  the  ordinary  courts  of 
justice,  which  shall  be  established  in  that  country,  and  freely 
suffer  there  the  execution  of  the  sentences  and  verdicts,  -without 
any  further  opposition.  And  shall  pay,  for  passage  and  board  in 
the  state  room,  one  guilder,  in  the  cabin  (hutte),  twelve  stivers, 
and  between  decks  eight  stivers,  per  diem. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i. 
110-114. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Cornelius  Pietersen,  Comforter  of  the  Sick. 

1639,  June  6. 

In  the  same  connection,  one  Cornelius  Pietersen,  of  Edam,  but 
now  living  at  Amsterdam,  offered  himself  for  service  in  the  Vir- 
ginias.    He  was  promised  the  position,     iv.  151.     xxxix.  48. 


1638 


122  Ecclesiastical  Eecoeds 

1639 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

Adam  Rolands.* 

1639,  July  18. 

Adam  Eolands  having  requested  to  go  to  E'ew  E^etherland  as 
schoolmaster,  reader,  (Yoorleser)  and  precentor,  (Voorsanger), 
was  accepted,  as  recommended,  upon  his  good  testimonials  and  the 
trial  of  his  gifts,  on  August  4,  1673;  and  was  sent  thither,     xx.  1. 

Peter  van  der  Linde. 

Peter  van  der  Linde  asked  to  go  as  Siecken-trooster  to  the 
West  Indies.  Having  been  heard,  he  was  advised  to  exercise 
himself  still  further  in  reading  and  singing.  It  was  also  resolved 
to  inquire  about  him  in  the  Haerlem  Street  across  from  the  "  Old 
England  '',  the  first  house  in  that  street,     xx.  9. 

Extract  from  the  Acta  of  the  Classis  of  Brazil. 

The  churches  of  Brazil  request,  first,  a  larger  number  of  minis- 
ters; secondly,  Siecken-troosters ;  thirdly,  annually,  the  Acta  of 
the  Synod  of  ]^orth  Holland,     xx.  13. 

The  Difiiculties  of  England  and  Scotland. 

1639,  July  29th. 

Thirdly;  Inasmuch  as  it  is  understood  that  the  four  Beformed 
cities  in  South  Scotland,  have  appealed  to  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury  in  an  earnest  letter,  that  he  would  devise  measures 
for  further  removal  of  the  grievances  directed  against  the  Church 
of  Scotland;  (it  is  a  question)  whether  it  ought  not  to  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  consideration  of  the  Synod  (of  ^N'orth  Holland)  in 
conjunction  with  them  of  South  Zeeland,*  that  we  should  address 
a  communication  to  this  same  Archbishop  upon  the  subject,  in  the 
name  of  our  (K'etherlands)  Church,     iv.  155. 

*  Can  this  be  the  same  individual  as  Adam  Roelantsen,  who  came  over  in  1633, 
with  Rev.  Bogardus?  In  1639,  Adam  Roelantsen  van  Hamelwaard  is  among  the 
citizens  of  Fort  Orange,  and  said  to  be  formerly  a  schoolmaster  in  New  Amsterdam. 
(O'Callaghan,  i.  448.)     See  also  Valentine's  Manual,  1863,  pp.  559-561. 

*  Perhaps  an  error  for  South  Scotland. 


OF  THE  State  of  E'ew  Yoek.  123 

Baptismal  Kegister  of  Church  of  IN'ew  York. 

1639. 

The  Baptismal  List  of  the  Church  of  N'ew  Amsterdam,  be- 
tween 1639-1697,  was  printed  in  English  in  Valentine's  Man- 
ual of  the  Common  Council  of  New  York  in  1863,  pages  738-834, 
the  names  being  arranged  in  alphabetical  order.  The  same  list, 
from  1639  and  onward,  is  printed  in  its  original  form,  in  Dutch 
and  in  chronological  order,  in  the  'New  York  Genealogical  and 
Biographical  Record,  having  been  begim  in  1874,  and  is  not  yet 
completed.  Ten  or  twelve  pages  of  names  are  printed  quarterly. 
It  is  interesting  to  notice  how  often  twins  and  triplets  are  re- 
ported, and  occasionally  ''  vierlings  ". 

Synod  of  !North  Holland,  at  Haarlem. 

1639,  Aug.  1  et  seq. 
Article  29. 

In  regard  to  proponents,  who  have  not  regularly  studied,  and 
who  have  gone  to  the  East  or  West  Indies,  and  have  returned 
again;  in  what  capacity  these  are  to  be  received  in  the  Nether- 
land  Churches  —  of  which  mention  was  made  in  Art.  33,  (1638,) 
■ —  shall  be  treated  later  under  the  Gravamina. 

Article  33. 

There  were  read  and  brought  in  by  the  Bev.  Deputies  of  our 
Synod,  the  extracts  from  the  Acts  of  the  corresponding  Synods, 
as  they  here  follow: 

Erom  the  Acts  of  Gelderland: 

That  the  affairs  of  the  East  and  West  Indian  Churches  belong 
to  the  cognizance  of  the  Netherland  Churches  in  general. 

Erom  the  Acts  of  South  Holland: 

That  these  (Churches)  will  remain  under  the  same  care,  until 
the  Assembly  further  decides  as  to  the  Church  affairs  of  the  East 


1639 


1639 


124r  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

and  West  Indian  Churches.  And  that  the  Churches  and  Classes, 
which  now  manage  these  affairs,  shall  make  abstracts  from  the 
letters  coming  from  the  East  and  West  Indies  about  their  prin- 
cipal items  of  ecclesiastical  business,  and  shall  present  these  annu- 
ally at  the  session  of  the  several  Synods,  and  shall  communicatQ 
them  to  the  correspondents. 

Also,  if  any  one  knows  of  any  students  or  preachers,  capable 
and  willing:,  for  the  service  of  the  Churches  in  the  East  and  West 
Indies,  they  are  requested  to  be  kind  enough  to  notify  the  re- 
spective Chambers  (of  the  East  or  West  India  Company),  in 
regard  to  them. 

From  the  Acts  of  Utrecht. 

(That  the  same)  t\^11  yet  continue  their  care  of  the  East  and 
West  India  Churches;  together  with  those  of  Gelderland  and 
Overyssel. 

That  the  Acta  of  the  Synod  of  Brazil,  coming  annually,  might 
be  sent  to  them  at  the  expense  of  this  Synod. 

Art.  46. 

The  Rev.  Deputatus,  in  correspondence,  from  (the  Synod  of) 
Gelderland,  requests,  veiy  amicably,  in  the  name  of  his  Synod, 
that,  in  order  to  a  good  and  close  correspondence,  there  should 
be  communicated  to  it  by  our  Synod,  an  account  of  the  East  and 
West  India  Church-afFairs.  Eor  this  business,  and  their  Church- 
Order,  belong  to  the  churches  in  general.  The  Gelderland  Synod 
is  of  the  opinion,  and  the  other  corresponding  Synods  agree 
therein,  that  this  entire  Netherland  Church,  as  the  Mother- 
Church  of  the  East  and  West  India  Churches,  claims  equal  rights 
herein.  Therefore  is  this  right  (of  common  supervision)  insisted 
on  every  year.  But  if  this  communication  (overture)  be  rejected, 
the  Synod  must  endeavor  to  secure  this  right  through  their  High 
Mightinesses,  (the  States-General). 

The  Rev.  Deputati,  in  correspondence,  from  (the  Synods  of) 
Utrecht,  Eriesland,  and  Overyssel,  join  in  the  preceding  request. 


OF  THE  State  of  [N'ew  York.  125 

1639 

They  declare  that  they  understand,  in  general,  by  this  (foreign) 
business  which  has  been  alluded  to,  that  some  (understand  it), 
that  it  is  the  sending  over  of  the  Church-Order  (as  adopted  in 
the  Indies,)  vnth  a  statement  of  the  difficulties  which  arise  in 
connection  therewith,  etc.;  and  that  others  understand  it,  that  it 
means  (the  sending  over)  of  information  about  the  proper  per- 
sons who  may  be  employed  as  sieckentroosters  or  ministers;  such 
a  case  recently  occurred  in  the  second  Gravamen  of  Haerlem; 
so  that  the  information,  direction  and  adjudication  of  all  mat- 
ters should  be  equally  attended  to  by  all  the  corresponding 
(Synods). 

It  would  at  least,  be  agreeable  to  them,  (the  above  mentioned 
Synods)  to  receive  from  our  Synod  (of  IsTorth  Holland)  as  much 
information  (about  the  foreign  churches)  as  the  Rev.  Deputati 
of  the  Synod  of  South  Holland  have  been  in  the  habit  of  making 
known  to  us.  For  it  has  been  resolved  on  in  their  Synod  of  South 
Holland,  as  the  custom  has  also  been  heretofore,  to  give  "  ex- 
tracts ''  (of  the  affairs  in  the  East  and  West  Indies)  accounts  of 
which  are  sent  over  —  to  the  (several  Synods),  when  assembled, 
or  to  their  delegates,  present,  as  correspondents  (in  the  Synod  of 
South  Holland.)  —  (The  same  is  asked  from  the  Synod  of  ISTorth 
Holland)  —  that  their  (other)  Synods  may  also  be  kept  informed. 

Concerning  all  of  this,  it  was  resolved  to  answer  on  the  part 
of  our  Synod,  (of  I^orth  Holland)  that  the  Rev.  Synods  will  please 
to  agree  among  themselves  as  to  the  notes  of  general  and  par- 
ticular matters  which  should  be  thus  communicated;  and  that 
these  things  having  been  made  known  to  the  Classes  of  our  Synod, 
resolutions  shall  be  taken  thereon,  and  declared  at  the  next  Synod. 

Art.  47. 

Further:  In  regard  to  this  same  business,  it  was  asked  by  one 
of  the  Rev.  Correspondents: 

(1)  Whether  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  alone  is  authorized  by 
the  Synod,  to  conduct  the  examinations  of  persons  going  to  the 
East  or  West  Indies:  and 


1639 


126  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

(2)  Whether  it,  (the  said  Classis),  ought  not  to  render  an  ac- 
count annually  of  what  has  thus  been  entrusted  to  it. 

As  to  the  first  question:  It  was  answered,  ISTo;  that  the  Classis- 
of  Amsterdam  is  not  authorized  (to  conduct  examinations)  any 
more  than  other  Classes  where  there  are  Chambers  (of  the  Com- 
panies). 

As  to  the  second  question:  It  is  shown  by  the  Rev.  Deputies 
of  our  Synod,  from  the  Acta  of  our  previous  Synods,  that  such 
has  been  the  practice  for  a  long  time;  that  the  persons  examined 
for  the  service  of  the  Church  in  the  East  or  West  Indies,  as  well 
as  the  facts  of  their  return,  are  reported  to  this  Synod,  several 
instances  of  which  are  adduced;  and  as  yet  the  Synod  is  inclined 
thereto. 

These  examples  are  now  adduced  by  the  Rev.  Brethren  of  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam:  That  there  were  sent,  as  preachers  from 
their  Classis,  to  the  East  Indies:  Rev.  Simon  Stuilengius,  and 
John  Claessen  Bakes,  of  Gisp:  In  the  West  Indies:  Anthony 
Claessen  van  (or  of)  Lemuyen,  (although  it  has  been  learned  that 
he  died  on  the  way;)  Peter  Janssen  Lantman,  of  Abbekerk.  It 
is  also  related  by  the  Rev.  Deputy  from  South  Holland,  that  in 
their  Synod  an  extract  is  annually  introduced  in  regard  to  tho 
East  and  West  India  affairs,  that  these  may  be  well  attended  to; 
since  in  these  affairs  misunderstandings  or  mistakes  can  easily 
occur.  Our  Rev.  Deputies  also  read  a  letter  of  thanks  from 
Utrecht,  for  what  was  communicated  to  them  in  regard  to  Brazil."^ 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Lubb.    van    Dincklagen    asks    to   be    relieved   from  his   excom- 
munication. 

1640,  March  19th. 

Lubbert  van  Dincklagen,  who  was  formerly  Fiscal  in  the  Vir- 
ginias, (Yirgenys,  xxxix.  69,)  appeared  (in  Classis)  and  complained 

*  The  above  references  to  ministers  to  the  West  Indies,  do  not  profess  to  be  com- 
plete. It  is  a  little  remarkable  that  the  reference  to  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus,  at 
this  time  in  New  Netherland,  is  not  referred  to.  His  departure  was  reported  to 
Synod  of  1632,  Art.  38. 


OF  THE  State  of  IsTew  York.  127 

of  both  the  ecclesiastical  and  secular  proceedings.  He  asserted 
that,  although  he  was  innocent,  he  was  excommunicated  by  the 
machinations  of  Eev.  Everardus  Bogaert  (Bogardus;)  that  subse- 
quently, such  proceedings  Avere  instituted  against  hira,  that,  in 
order  to  escape  them,  he  had  been  forced  to  hide  himself  in  the 
wilderness,  where,  for  days  at  a  time,  he  had  been  compelled  to 
sustain  himself  by  the  grass  of  the  field,  through  lack  of  neces- 
sary food.  He  requests  that  this  Rev.  (Classical)  Assembly  would 
be  pleased  to  investigate  this  case,  and  if  they  fijid  him  innocent, 
as  he  was  sure  they  would,  that  they  would  relieve  him  from  the 
excommunication. 

Inasmuch  as  this  case  appears  very  peculiar  to  many,  it  was 
resolved  to  postpone  the  consideration  of  the  same  until  the  next 
meeting.  But  at  the  same  time,  the  Deputati  ad  Causas  Indicas, 
are  hereby  directed  to  draw  up  a  report  in  a  legal  paper,  showing 
all  the  facts  in  the  case,  and  at  the  earliest  opportunity,  to  hand 
it  over  to  the  Rev.  God.  (fridus?)  Petri  Bontius,  so  that  he  may, 
meantime,  wait  upon  the  Assembly  of  the  Mneteen,  or  upon  the 
Committee  of  the  States-General,  or  Mr.  Amhem,  provisionally, 
in  order  that  his  (Van  Dincklagen's)  affair,  be  not  neglected  to 
his  prejudice,  or  to  the  deprivation  of  his  salary,  iv.  193-4; 
xxxix.  69,  70. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies  —  Foreign  Churches. 

1640,  April  23rd. 

The  business  and  other  things  touching  the  care  of  the  for- 
eign churches,  heretofore  arranged  by  Rev.  Boutum,  are  these 
following,  which  shall  be  brought  before  Classis  simultaneously: 

1.  Whether  it  be  advisable  to  observe  certain  ceremonies  in 
regard  to  burying  the  dead  at  Ende,  D.  JsTo.  14,  and  Amboyna, 
D.  25? 

2.  Whether  Leoninus  de  Jonge,  minister  at .  in  that 

city,  who  does  not  seem  to  be  disinclined  to  the  service  of  the 
church  in  the  East  Indies,  shall  be  further  (encouraged?)  D.  15. 


1640 


1640 


128  Ecclesiastical  Records 

3.  Whether  henceforth  all  letters  to  the  foreign  churches 
ought  not  to  be  copied,  as  well  as  those  which  are  sent  to  us? 

4.  Whether  an  appointed  plan  of  index  (register)  in  those  mat- 
ters ought  not  to  be  followed. 

5.  To  note  that  Rev.  George  Candidius,  shows  himself  inclined 
to  sro  at  a  certain  time  to  the  East  Indies:   D.  l^o.  15-28. 

6.  Item:  That  the  following  were  sent  to  the  East  Indies  as 
Siecken-Troosters :  Edward  Bout,  John  Willemsen,  Arent  Ros- 
senrade,  John  Heyndricasen,  Theo.  Maelur,  John  Ybrecht  Croese, 
Stephen  Heyndricasen,  Peter  Laurense  van  Lynseel,  Fredeirica 
Akaen  (A  woman?)  Michael  Smit,  Heyndrices  Hartong,  Alex- 
ander Rossenrade,  Isaac  Eransen,  Gerrit  Cornelisse. 

And  to  the  West  Indies :  Abraham  Isaacsen,  John  Jansen  Smit, 
Edward  Ooms,  Simon  Hulse,  Cornelius  van  der  Beek,  Clement 
Fransen,  Cornelius  Andriesen. 

7.  To  speak  of  the  extract  from  Rev.  Hewring's  written  dec- 
laration of  Martin  Gideons  "  Considerations  ",  and  the  necessary 
reflections  drawn  from  the  letter  of  the  church  of  Batavia,  handed 
over  in  writing  to  the  Directors;  D.  'No.  24:  whereof  some  are 
postponed  for  the  lat^r  advice  of  the  Classis:  25. 

8.  Of  the of  the  Siecken-Troosters 

about  the D.  I^o.  29. 

9.  Of  the  manner  in  which  the  salaries  of  the  Siecken-Troosters 
going  to  the  West  Indies  are  to  be  provided.    D.  No.  28.    Item  31. 

10.  Of  Bartholomeus  Coole:  that  he  has  handed  in  satisfactory 
testimonials,  and  is  recommended  to  the  West  India  Company; 
D.  No.  25;  is  accepted  by  them,  with  the  promise  of  fifty  guilders 
per  month  for  eight  or  nine  months;  24;  is  sent  mth  recommenda- 
tion to  Utrecht,  and  ordered  to  prepare  himself  with  a  sermon  at 
Easter  j^o.  26;  and  again  cited  for  the  Classis  in  May.     Xo.  32. 

11.  Jonas  Aerts,  accepted  by  the  Hon.  Directors,  D.  26  and 
32,  and  sent  to  Curacoa.  The  Elder  van  Sunderdorp  was  found 
unfit.    D.  :No.  22,  23. 

12.  Directions  given  to  make  inquiries  about  the  condition  of 
the  church  of  Moscow,     xx.  32,  33. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  129 

Lubbertus  Dincklagen. 

1640,  May  Ttb. 

Lubbertus  Dincklagen,  formerly  Fiscal  in  New  Netberland, 
appeared  (in  Classis.)  He  requested  a  written  memorandum  from 
this  Rev.  Assembly,  by  which,  the  gentlemen  of  the  justiciary  of 
this  city  (Amsterdam)  might  be  informed  that  the  excommuni- 
cation passed  upon  him  in  New  Netherland,  should  not  be  pub- 
licly posted  (published  in  Indicio)  to  his  injury,  or  be  made  to 
work  to  his  prejudice.  The  Assembly  resolved  to  record  the 
preceding  as  a  resolution,  and  verbally  to  request  the  President 
of  the  schepens,  (aldermen  or  justices,)  that  the  occurrence  re- 
ferred to  should  not  operate  to  the  withholding  of  his  salary. 
This  will  be  done  by  the  clerk,     iv.  201;  xxxix.  75. 

Everardus  Hardenbergius. 

Everardus  Hardenbergius,  a  candidate  in  Sacred  Theology,  pre- 
sented his  credentials  from  the  Consistory,  and  the  Professors 
of  Sacred  Theology  at  Leyden;  and  among  the  rest,  the  certifi- 
cate of  his  Preparatory  Examination  (for  licensure).  He  re- 
quested to  be  accepted  as  a  candidate  of  this  Classis,  (of  Am- 
sterdam.)    To  this  the  Classis  acceded:     iv.  201. 

James  Dincklagen. 

James  Dincklagen,  formerly  sent  by  the  brethren  of  Zeeland 
as  a  Comforter  of  the  Sick  to  Guinea,  as  well  as  to  the  island  of 
Spitzbergen  presented  his  credentials.  The  Classis  was  so  well 
satisfied,  that  it  was  resolved,  through  the  Deputies,  to  suggest 
his  name  to  the  Directors,     iv.  202. 

New  Charter  of  Patroonships. 

Freedoms  and  Exemptions  granted  by  the  West  India  Company 

to  all    Patroons,  or  others,  who  will    plant  colonies  in    New 

Netherland.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  119-123. 
9 


1640 


1640 


130  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

1640,  Julv  19. 

In  reference  to  religion,  Ave  find  the  folloAA'ing: 
The  Company  reserves  unto  itself  all  large  and  small  tythes, 
all  Avaifs,  the  right  of  mintage,  laWng  out  highways,  erecting 
forts,  making  war  and  peace,  together  -v^-ith  all  wildernesses,  found- 
ing of  cities,  towns  and  churches;  retaining  the  supreme  author- 
ity, sovereignty  and  supremacy,  the  interpretation  of  all  ob- 
scurity which  mav  arise  out  of  this  Grant:  with  such  imderstand- 
ing,  however,  that  nothing  herein  contained  shall  alter  or  dimin- 
ish what  has  been  granted  heretofore  to  the  Patroons  in  regard 
to  high,  middle  and  low  jurisdiction,     p.  123. 

And  no  other  Religion  shall  be  publicly  admitted  in  Xew  Xeth- 
erland  except  the  Reformed,  as  it  is  at  present  preached  and 
practiced  by  public  authority  in  the  United  Xetherlands;  and 
for  this  purpose  the  Company  shall  provide  and  maintain  good 
and  suitable  preachers,  schoolmasters  and  comforters  of  the  sick. 
p.  123. 

1640,  Aug.  21  et  seq. 

Syxod  of  Hollaxd,  at  Amsterdam. 

Ai*t.  9.     En^dish  Ceremonies. 

As  to  Art.  18,  relative  to  the  introduction  of  the  English  cere- 
monies into  the  English  Churches  in  this  land:  Inasmuch  as 
nothing  new  has  come  before  the  Synod  in  regard  to  this  matter, 
it  w-as  resolved  to  pass  by  the  said  article,  at  present,  and  to  omit 
it  henceforth  from  the  Acta. 

1640.     Article  30. 

Correspondence  in  the  matter  of  the  East  and  West  India 

Affairs. 

As  to  Art.  46,  Synodi  superioris,  regarding  the  closer  corre- 
spondence about  the  East  and  West  India  Church-affairs,  which 
was  asked  for  in  said  article;  (1639)  The  Reverend  Correspond- 
ents of  (the  Synod  of)  Gelderland,  South  Holland,  Utrecht  and 
Overyssel,  read  the  resolutions  adopted  at  their  respective  Synods, 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  131 

and  the  plans  therein  proposed.  The  Rev.  Deputatus  of  Gronin- 
gen,  as  -snbsequentlj,  also,  the  Rev.  Deputatus  of  Friesland,  stated 
that  they  had  received  no  directions  upon  these  matters,  and  had 
no  complaint  (doleantie)  to  make;  and  no  resolutions  in  regard  to 
this  matter  were  to  be  found  in  the  Acta  of  their  Synods.  Oiii 
this  business  much  discussion  now  took  place,  between  the  Rev. 
Synod  and  the  Reverend  Brethren  correspondents.  The  corre- 
spondents strongly  insisted  that  satisfaction  should  be  given  to 
them  and  their  Synods  in  this  matter ;  that  they  might  not  be  com- 
pelled to  turn,  themselves  to  their  respective  (Provincial)  author- 
ities, and  to  complain  (doleren)  before  them.  It  was,  therefore, 
resolved,  in  accordance  with  the  resolution  of  the  last  Synod,  at 
ITaerlem,  by  which  this  Assembly  is  bound,  and  in  order  to  satisfy 
these  brethren  so  far  as  possible,  that  the  brethren  correspondents 
will  be  pleased  to  hand  in  their  petitions  in  writing,  even  as  they 
are  now  spread  upon  their  minutes.  These  petitions  may  then, 
be  sent  to  the  several  Classes  of  ^orth  Holland,  and  the  resolu- 
tions of  the  same  thereon  may  be  learned  at  the  next  Synod.  This 
could  have  already  been  done  at  this  time  if  the  Rev.  Brethren 
had  caused  their  considerations  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
Deputies  of  our  Synod. 

The  petition  and  considerations  are  these,  as  they  were  ob- 
tained from  the  Acta  of  the  Synod  of  South  Holland,  with  the 
consent  of  the  other  Rev.  Correspondents  present : 

The  care  of  the  churches  in  the  East  and  West  Indies  does  not 
belong  to  one  particular  Church,  or  Classis,  ot  even  to  one  Synod; 
but  it  properly  belongs  to  all  the  Synods  of  the  United  Provinces, 
or  to  all  the  churches  in  general,  of  the  Netherlands.  This  is 
the  opinion  as  well  as  the  sentiment  of  almost  all  the  Particular 
Synods;  for  every  one  to  whom  the  salutary  correspondence  is 
dear,  and  the  mutual  peace  of  the  churches  desirable,  should  cer- 
tainly have  the  privilege  to  promote  the  same.  'And  this  is  just, 
especially  because  such  opinion  and  sentiment  rest  upon  incon- 
trovertible grounds,  aside  from  the  fact  that  each  of  the  Com- 


1640 


1640 


132  Ecclesiastical  Records 

panies  (the  East  India  and  the  West  India  Company)  received  its 
Charter  from  the  Provinces  in  general,  and  is  sustained  by  gen- 
eral funds  (investments  from  all  parts)  and  is  ruled  by  Directors 
from  each  of  all  (the  Provinces.) 

This  also  is  clear  beyond  all  doubt:  that  it  is  a  work  belonging 
to  the  K^ational  Synod,  or  to  the  churches  in  general  of  all  these 
Provinces,  not  only  to  originate  but  to  establish  Particular  Synods ; 
and  to  this  (N'ational)  Synod,  all  individual  Churches  and  Classes 
belong.  If  any  particular  Church  or  Classes  or  even  Synod 
should  assume  the  care  of  any  other  churches  or  Classes,  wkether 
in  the  East  or  in  the  West  Indies,  not  having  been  authorized 
thereto  by  the  churches  in  general:  —  many  Provincial  Synods 
would  take  great  umbrage  thereat,  even  as,  for  a  long  time  past, 
they  have  manifested  their  displeasure;  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that 
such  displeasure  will  increase  still  more  greatly,  from  time  to 
time,,  and  produce  troubles  which  ought  to  be  prevented. 

To  this  may  be  added  yet  the  following:  That  such  difficulties 
might  occur  in  the  East  or  West  Indies,  as  could  and  ought  not, 
to  be  settled  by  any  particular  Churches,  Classes,  or  even  Synods. 
Also,  particular  churches  (or  Classes?)  may  be  neglectful  in  com- 
plying vrith.  the  request  of  the  East  and  West  India  churches. 
It  is  indeed  understood  that  the  said  (foreign)  churches  have  here- 
tofore complained,  and  do  still  complain,  that  at  times  no  proper 
attention  has  been  given  to  their  letters  and  gravamina;  and  that 
full  information  is  not  always  furnished  them  of  the  ecclesiastical 
proceedings  in  these  Provinces. 

JSTow  to  give  once  for  all  (eenelyck)  some  further  explanation 
of  the  matters  which  ought  to  come  under  the  supeiwision  and  dis- 
position of  the  churches  in  general:  This,  first  of  all,  is  regarded 
as  a  point  touching  all  the  Synods  of  these  United  Pro^dnces,  that 
they  should  see  well  to  it  that  the  said  churches  of  the  East  and 
West  Indies  abide  by  the  purest  doctrine,  and  by  the  common 
church  regulations,  and  not    be  allowed  to  introduce    anything 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  133 

1640 

peculiar,  without  the  knowledge  and  approval  of  all  the  churches 
in  general. 

Moreover,  that  the  gravamina  of  the  said  churches  ought  to  be 
sent  over  to  all  the  Provincial  Synods  of  this  land,  in  order  to 
consult  and  decide  about  these  unitedly. 

Further:  That  the  Synods  in  general  have  a  right  not  only  to 
the  inspection  of  all  the  alumni  of  each  of  the  Companies,  but 
that  these  Synods  ought  also  to  have  an  eye  to  the  sending  and 
appointing  of  schoolmasters,  readers,  sieckentroosters,  proponents, 
and  especially  ministers,  upon  whose  fitness,  so  much  depends 
there,  and  in  so  marked  a  degree. 

Finally,  that  all  the  Acta  and  letters  of  the  churches  of  the 
East  and  West  Indies  ought  to  be  addressed  to  the  churches  in 
general;  even  as  in  turn  all  the  Synods  in  this  land  should  an- 
nually send  over  general  extracts  from  their  Acta  to  the  churches 
of  the  East  and  "West  Indies,  in  so  far  as  these  may  be  of  service 
to  them. 

But  in  opposition  to  all  this,  it  may  be  said,  that  several  re- 
quests and  attempts  have  been  made,  to  be  allowed  to  form,  from 
all  the  Provinces,  one  Ecclesiastical  Assembly,  which  should  have 
common  oversight  of  all  the  East  and  West  India  churches;  but 
that  this  has  not  been  effected,  because  it  was  not  known  how 
the  expenses  incurred  thereby  could  be  met. 

It  was  answered,  that  such  an  Assembly  would  have  to  be  or- 
ganized at  the  charge  of  each  Synod;  inasmuch  as  the  said  ex- 
penses could  not  be  obtained  either  from  the  Hon.  Messrs.  Direct- 
ors, or  from  the  High  Mighty  Messrs.  the  States,  nor  from 
anywhere  else. 

It  might  also  be  said  that  matters  now  and  then  comfe  up  which 
would  not  brook  the  delay  of  being  treated  by  correspondence 
with  the  other  Provinces:  But  this  serves  as  a  reply:  That  cer- 
tain ecclesiastical  bodies  can  be  appointed  and  authorized  to  con- 
sider such  matters  as  require  haste.  These  should  be  required 
to  give  an  account  of  what  they  do  or  do  not  do,  to  their  prin- 
cipals, with  their  reasons  therefor. 


1640 


13i  Ecclesiastical  Records 

In  order  then,  that  this  good  cause  may  have  progress  and  be 
facilitated,  it  is  expedient  that  this  project  be  made  known  to  the 
churches  of  all  the  other  Provinces. 

Further:  In  case  of  refusal  or  longer  delay,  a  remedy  could 
be  requested  from  their  High  Mightinesses,  the  States-General: 
The  Svnods  interested  shall  themselves  recommend  this  to  their 
respective  States,  ^\ith  the  request  that  they  would  be  pleased 
to  promote  this  affair  at  the  meeting  of  their  High  Mightinesses. 

1640.  Article  38. 

There  were  introduced  and  read  the  extracts  from  the  general 
affairs,  out  of  the  Acta  of  the  Corresponding  Synods,  even  as 
follows : 

From 'the  Acta  of  the  Svnod  of  Gelderland  of  the  vear  1638. 

To  request  an  increase  of  the  salary  of  ministers'  mdows, 
by  the  correspondencies  among  the  Synods  of  these  United 
provinces,  in  regard  to  the  East  and  West  Indian  churches : 
Also  the  form  and  manner  of  that  plan  of  a  Marriage  Ordi- 
nance, (echt  ordaninge;  or  if  this  be  read  egt  ordaninge,  it 
might  mean  ^^  genuine  ordination '' :)  accompanied  by  the  pre- 
ceding ad^T.ce  of  the  respective  Classes.  This  after  being  fur- 
ther examined  in  the  Synod,  shall  be  presented  to  the  Hon. 
Court,  and  the  Landschap,  (landship;  authorities  of  the  com- 
munity; magistrates.) 

From  the  Acta  of  the  Svnod  of  South  Holland: 

A  plan  to  arrange  a  common  supervision  over  the  church 
affairs  of  the  East  and  "West  Indies,  approved  by  the  Synod, 
shall  be  communicated  to  the  Rev.  Brethren  of  Zeeland,*  and  to 
all  the  Synods  of  these  Provinces.  After  the  said  plan  has  been 
approved,  it  shall  be  laid  before  the  Assembly  of  the  XYII  and 
XIX,  and  sent  to  the  Messrs.  the  States  of  each  Province. 

•  There  was  no  Synod  in  Zeeland. 


OF  THE  State  of  Kew  York.  135 

Synod  of  [Rorth  Holland,  Oct.  1640. 
(Extra  session.) 

Continuation  of  the  Acts  of  the  Particular  Sjnod  of  Korth. 
Holland,  reassembled  at  Amsterdam,  on  October  30,  of  the  year 
16-10. 

Art.  20.     East  and  West  India  Church  affairs. 

Thereupon  the  said  Deputatus  made  known,  in  the  matter  of 
the  East  and  West  India  Church  affairs,  that  many  debates 
thereon  had  taken  place  in  the  Synod  of  Utrecht;  and  that  it 
was  finally  resolved  to  let  the  matter  rest  for  a  year,  until  the 
petitions  and  considerations,  which  were  presented  by  the  cor- 
responding Synods  on  that  subject,  and  which  are  embodied  in 
Article  30  of  the  Acta  of  the  N'orth  Holland  Synod,  (1640)  shall 
have  been  considered  in  the  Classes  of  N^orth  Holland.  A  de- 
cision will  then  have  been  reached  at  the  next  Synod  of  that 
Province  (Utrecht).  There  is  added  thereto,  that  this  S^niod 
(E'orth  Holland)  will  kindly  permit  it  (Synod  of  Utrecht)  to 
receive,  upon  its  request,  which  was  also  made  in  writing  in  a 
letter  of  October  28, —  and  at  its  expense,  the  Acta  of  the 
Synod  held  (or,  to  be  held  —  te  houden)  in  Brazil,  wdienever  the 
same  shall  be  brought  over. 

This  Synod  takes  pleasure  in  the  resolution.  It  replies  to 
the  second,  that  the  request  of  the  Synod  of  Utrecht,  as  well 
as  of  the  brethren  of  South  Holland,  who  have  made  a  similar 
request,  shall  be  favorably  made  known  to  the  several  Classes; 
so  that  the  Acta  requested,  when  they  comei  from  Brazil,  may 
be  communicated  to  tliem. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam,   1640. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

Megapolensis.     1640,  Sept.  4th. 

It  was  resolved  that  at  the  next  meeting  discussion  shall  be  had 
about  what  was  communicated  by  Megapolensis.     xx.  39. 


1640 


1641 


136  Ecclesiastical  Records 

John  Cornelisz,  of  Barsinger-Horn. 

1640,  Oct.  15th. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Eev.  John  Megapolensis  minister  at 
Koedyk,  in  regard  to  one  John  Cornelisse  (Backer)  of  Barsinger 
Horn,  who  is  disposed  to  let  himself  be  employed  as  Siecken- 
trooster  or  also  as  minister,  in  the  East  Indies.  But  inasmuch 
as  he  has  not  studied,  this  matter  is  set  aside,     xx.  41. 

Petitions   from  the  other   Synods   regarding   Church   affairs   in 

the  Indies. 

1640,  Dec.  3rd. 

Under  the  30th  Article,  concerning  the  affairs  of  the  East 
and  West  Indies,  the  petitions  of  the  Synods  of  the  other  Prov- 
inces shall  be  examined  by  the  Classis,  against  the  next  ensuing 
Synod  of  ISTorth  Holland,     iv.  2lY. 

John  Cornelisz.  Backer, 
pp.  45,  52,  58,  78,  [of  Vol.  20.] 

1641,  Eeb.  26th. 

Dr.  Pudolphus  reported,  that  Pev.  John  Cornelisz  Backer  of 
Barsinger  Horn- — .who  had  been  sent  hither  by  John  Megapo- 
lensis (Senior)  minister  at  Coedyk,  and  who  had  exercised  him- 
self there  two  years  in  the  Postamena  of  the  Christian  Doc- 
trine —  has  applied  in  ^vriting,  to  be  sent  to  the  East  Indies,  as 
proponent  or  Siecken-Trooster,  as  the  Assembly"  might  deter- 
mine. It  was  resolved  that  said  John  Cornelisse  shall  (present?) 
himself  before  us  on  March  25,  proximo,  in  order  then  to  give 

proof  of  his  gifts  (and  that shall  inform)  his  cousin, 

(or    JSTephew,    neef,)    John    Cornelisse,    of    this    arrangement. 
XX.  43. 

John  Cornelisz.  Backer. 

pp.  43,  52,  58,  Y8,  [of  Vol.  20.] 

1641,  March  25th. 

John  Cornelisse  Backer  appeared,  in  accordance  mth  the  reso- 
lution of  the  preceding  meeting.     He  preached   a  sermon   on 


OF  THE  State  of  'N^ew  York.  137 

Eom.    3 :28,    "  Therefore  we   conclude   that   a  man  is   justified 
by  faith,  ivithout  the  deeds  of  the  law".     He  showed  that  he 
understood  tolerably  well  the  justification  of  sinful  man  before 
God,  but  when  he  was  further  questioned of  un- 
ending ..........   the  article  used,  and  answer  was  given  for 

ministers should  to  the  East  Indies :  it  was  consid- 
ered that  he  would  have  to  present  himself  before  the  Classis 
again  on  the  first  Monday  in  May,  in  order  to  let  his  gifts  be 
exhibited  more  fully.  Then  his  case  mil  be  acted  on  according 
to  the  advice  of  Classis.     xx.  45. 

(J.  C.  Backer.) 

1641,  May  6. 

John  Cornelisse  Backer  preached  a  sermon  on  John  3:16. 
The  Assembly  decided  that  he  had  indeed  some  good  notions, 
(reymselen),  but  that  all  his  ideas  were  yet  crude  and  tame; 
that  he  had  need  to  study  diligently,  and  hereafter  he  might 
present  himself  again  before  us.     xxxix.  84. 

John  Cornelisz.*  Backer.     (See)   pages  87,   88,   84. 

1641,  June  3. 

John  Comelisz.  Backer  presented  himself  in  order  to  preach 
a  sermon.  He  was  put  off,  and  it  was  announced  to  him  that 
he  must  come  back  after  two  months,  prepared  to  preach  a 
sermon,  xxxix.  85. 

Council  Minute.     Conditions  under  which  a  party  of  English 
people  may  come  and  settle  in  l^ew  N^etherland. 

[Rev.  Francis  Doughty.  !N"ewtoT\Ti.] 

Thursday,  the  6th  of  June,  1641. 

Whereas  a  good  number  of  respectable  English  people  with  their  preacher  have 
petitioned  for  permission  to  settle  here  and  live  among  us,  asking  that  the  condi- 
tions might  be  communicated  to  them,  therefore  we  have  resolved  to  send  them  the 
following  terms: 

First  they  will  be  obliged  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiftnce  to  their  High  Might,  the 
States  and  to  the  West  India  Company,  under  whose  protection  they  are  to  live  here. 

^^  *  The  letter  z,  with  a  period  sometimes  after  it,  in  the  middle  name,  stands  for 

"  zoon  ",    "  son  ",   and  means  that  John  Backer  was  the  son  of  Cornelius  Backer. 

Sometimes  the  father's  name,  with  the  z  attached,  is  placed  after  the  full  name  of 
the  son. 


1641 


1641 


138  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

2.  They  shall  have  free  exercise  of  their  religion. 

3.  As  to  their  political  government,  if  they  desire  a  Magistrate,  they  may  nomi- 
nate three  or  four  of  their  ablest  men,  from  whose  number  the  Governor  of  New 
Netherland  will  select  him,  who  is  to  be  their  Magistrate,  having  final  jurisdiction 
in  all  civil  cases  up  to  forty  guilders,  cases  for  higher  amounts  may  be  appealed  to 
the  Governor  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  and  criminal  jurisdiction  up  to  (i.  e. 
not  including)  capital  punishment. 

4.  They  shall  not  build  fortifications  without  permission. 

5.  The  land  shall  be  allotted  to  them  as  their  property  without  expense,  they  shall 
use  it  for  ten  years  without  paying  taxes  and  at  the  end  of  these  ten  years  they 
shall  pay  the  tenth. 

6.  They  shall  have  free  fishing  and  hunting  and  be  allowed  to  trade  subject  to 
the  privileges  of  New  Netherland. 

7.  They  will  be  obliged  to  use  the  measures  and  weights  of  the  Country. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  8. 

For  Patent  for  Mespath  or  Newtown,  March  28,  1642,  see  O'Callaghan  i.  425,  and 
Riker's  Newtown,  17,  18.  Extract:  "  With  power  ...  to  erect  a  church  or 
churches;  to  exercise  the  Reformed  Christian  Religion,  and  Church  discipline  which 
they  profess  ",  etc. 

See  further  references  to  Rev.  Francis  Doughty  under  date  of  July  28,  1649,  etc. 

Synod  of  ISTorth  Holland,  at  Hoorn. 

1641,  Aug.  13  et  seq. 
Art.  29. 

In  regard  to  Art.  30,  (1640),  referring  to  the  closer  cor- 
respondence mth  the  Rev.  Synods  of  Gelderland,  South  Hol- 
land, Utrecht  and  Overyssel,  concerning  church  affairs  in  the 
East  and  West  Indies : 

The  several  Classes  have  complied  ^^^.tll  the  resolution  of  the 
preceding  Synod,  and  have  taken  into  earnest  consideration  the 
representations  and  remarks  relating  to  this  matter,  as  contained 
in  the  Acta  of  the  Svnod  of  South  Holland,  which  were  laid 
before  the  SjTiod  at  Amsterdam  vdth  the  consent  of  the  said 
Brethren,  the  Correspondents.  Upon  this  business,  the  advices 
of  the  respective  Classes  have  been  heard  and  collected.  The 
Majority  declare  that  it  is  altogether  unadvisable  to  make  any 
change,  or  to  depart  from  the  old  footing. 

Nevertheless,  in  order  to  satisfv  the  Rev.  Brethren,  the  Cor- 
respondents,  it  was  agreed,  that  at  their  request,  (copies  of)  the 


OF  THE  State  of  !N'ew  York.  139 

1641 

ecclesiastical  Acta  of  the  said  East  and  West  India  Cliiirches 
shall  be  sent  to  the  respective  Corresponding  Synods.  Much 
discussion  ensued  on  this  resolution,  between  the  Kev.  Synod 
and  the  Eev.  Brethren,  the  Correspondents.  The  result  was, 
that  finally,  their  Keverences  read  before  the  Eev.  Synod  a 
grievance,  (doleantie),  wherein  they  complained  of  the  said  reso- 
lution, in  behalf  of  their  principals.  They  also  declared,  in  ful- 
filmeoit  of  their  commission,  that  their  interested  principals 
would  be  compelled  to  resort  to  such  other  means  as  the  con- 
stitution of  the  church,  and  the  nature  and  the  justice  of  the 
case  permit.  Thereupon,  the  Eev.  Deputies  of  the  other  Synods 
were  warned  to  guard  against  anything  which  they  might  under- 
take, that  might  be  to  the  prejudice  of  this  Synod. 

Art.  49. 

2.  Whereas  it  is  insufferable,  that  the  limitations  of  callings 
and  offices  should  be  confused,  (lit.  that  the  boundaries  should 
overlap),  it  is  asked  whether  the  Eev.  Synod  ought  not  to  estab- 
lish a  fixed  rule,  that  no  preacher,  either  now  or  hereafter,  under 
any  pretext  whatever,  should  intrude  himself  into  the  practice  of 
Medicine  ? 

Answer:  The  Eev.  Synod  (decrees)  that  the  ministers  prac- 
ticing (medicine),  whether  now  in  such  practice,  or  about  to 
undertake  it,  shall  at  once  desist  from  such  medical  practice. 
And  in  order  that  the  said  resolution  may  suffer  no  infringement, 
the  Classes  and  Churches  belonging  to  this  Synod  are  enjoined 
to  give  sei-ious  heed  thereto,  and  to  act  w^th  all  earnestness;  to 
the  end  that,  once  for  all,  the  intent  of  Synod  may  be  complied 
with.  In  case  any  of  the  said  ministers  refuse  to  obey  the  said 
resolution,  the  Classes  and  Churches  shall  report  such  trans- 
gressors to  the  next  S}Tiod  that  further  provision  may  be  made 
against  this  practice  in  the  most  suitable  manner.  The  Eev. 
Deputies  of  Synod  are  also  charged  to  be  vigilant  in  this  matter. 


1641 


140  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

John  Cornelis  Backer,  of  Barsinger-Horn. 

pp.  45,  43,  58,  78. 

1641,  Sept.  3rd. 

John  Cornelis  Backer,  in  accordance  with  the  order  of  the  Rev. 
Classis,  preached  a  sermon  before  the  Assembly  on  the  words  of 
Christ,  Matt.  16  :18,  ^'  Thou  art  Peter,  and  upon  this  rock  I  will 
build  my  Church  ".  The  Assembly  found  that  he  had  improved; 
but  admonished  him  still  further  diligently  to  apply  himself. 
Another  text  was  given  him  on  which  to  preach  a  sermon  at  the 
next  meeting  of  Classis,  to  wit:  John  2:3,  "And  hereby  do  we 
know  that  we  know  him,  if  we  keep  his  commandments  '\  Of  all 
this  report  shall  be  made  at  the  next  Classis.     xx.  52,  53. 

John  Cornelisse  Backer. 

pages  88,  85,  84. 

1641,  Sept.  2. 

John  Cornelisse  Backer  came  before  Classis  announcing  that 
he  had  come  to  preach  a  sermon,  even  as  the  Classis  had  charged 
him;  but  inasmuch  as  there  was  a  great  deal  to  be  done,  his 
request  was  postponed  till  tomorrow  after  the  (regular  Classical) 
sermons.  Then  he  might  preach  his  sermon  before  the  Depu- 
ties on  Indian  Churches,     xxxix.  87. 

1641,  Oct.  7. 

The  Brethren  Deputies  on  Indian  Affairs  report,  that  they 
have  heard  the  sermon  of  John  Comelisz  Backer  on  Matt.  16:18, 
and  had  been  reasonably  well  satisfied  therewith.  They  had  also 
assigned  him  as  a  text  1  John  3:1,  on  which  lie  was  ready  to 
preach  before  the  Assembly.  It  was  then  resolved  that  the  said 
Deputies  should  hear  him  on  the  morrow,  and  if  they  obtained 
good  satisfaction,  they  should  speak  mth  him,  to  see  if  he  could 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  141 

1641 

let  himself  be  employed  on  Curacoa.     Later,  a  decision  could  be 

reached    thereupon    in    our    Assembly,    as    soon    as    convenient. 

xxxix.  88.  ' 

John  Corneliz  Backer,     pp.  52,  45,  43,  58,  78. 

'      1641,  Oct.  8th. 

John  Cornelisz  Backer,  in  accordance  with  the  injunction  of 
Classis,  appeared  before  the  Assembly,  and  preached  on  the 
words  of  1  John  2:3.  Therewith  the  Assembly  was  reasonably 
well  pleased,  and  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  advance  him  to  the 
ministry  on  the  Island  of  Curacoa,  in  place  of  Jonas  Aertz.  In 
regard  to  this  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  shall  be 
spoken  to.     xx.  58. 

John  Cornelissen  Backer. 

1641,  Nov.  1. 

A  sermon  by  John  Comelisse  Backer  on  Bom.  3:1,  was 
listened  to.  Therewith  the  Assembly  was  so  greatly  pleased, 
that  it  was  resolved  to  proceed  with  his  examination.  This  shall 
take  place  this  afternoon  to  be  conducted  by  the  Bev.  President 
Wittenwrongel.     xxxix.  91. 

Two  Ministers  in  the  Classis  of  Alkmaar,  not  disinclined  to  sail 

to  the  East  or  West  Indies. 

1641,  mv.  19th. 

John  Cornells  Backer  informed  the  Assembly  that  he  had 
learned  on  good  authority  that  there  were  certain  ministers  in 
the  Classis  of  Alkmaar,  who  were  not  adverse  to  making  the 
journey  to  the  East  or  West  Indies,  in  this  same  service,  if  they 
could  obtain  good  and  favorable  conditions.  These  were  the 
minister  at  Schorel,  and  the  minister  at  Koedyk.*  In  regard  to 
them,  John  Corneliz  Backer  was  told  that,  in  the  name  of  this 
Assembly,  he  should  request  these  two  ministers  to  come  down 

•  One  of  these  ministers  was  John  Megapolensls. 


1641 


142  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

to  this  Classis  in  order  that  fuller  conference  might  be  had  with 
them  about  this  matter.  The  Classis  promised  to  do  everything 
that  might  sei^-e  towards  their  advancement,     xx.   62,  63. 

Acta  Deputatoriun  ad  res  Exteras. 

1641,  Nov.  19th. 
Rev.  Peter  AVittenwrongel  in  the  chair. 

A  communication,  ^^dth  some  accompanying  documents,  was 
read,  which  had  been  sent  to  the  Classis  bv  the  elders  and  deacons 
in  N^ew  Motherland,  (at  Xew  Amsterdam.)  Therein  they  report 
and  justify  the  procedure  of  the  church  against  Lubbert  Van 
Dincklagen,  the  treasurer  (of  the  Colony.)  They  sent  to  the 
Classis  two  commendatoiw  testimonials  concerning  their  pastor, 
one  from  the  Consistorv,  and  another  from  the  Director.  Thev 
desire  and  request  that  the  good  correspondence  be  maintained 
with  them  more  promptly  than  had  been  the  case  for  a  long  time 
past.  They  report  the  good  condition  and  daily  increase  of  their 
congregation.  The  Americans  (Indians)  come  not  yet  to  the 
right  knowledge  of  God;  but  the  negroes,  living  among  the  col- 
onists, come  nearer  thereto,  and  give  better  hope.  They  request 
earnestly  and  perseveringly  that  the  Rev.  Classis  would  take 
their  case  to  heart,  and  support  them  in  their  action  against  Lub- 
bert Van  Dincklagen,  in  order  to  maintain  the  honor  of  their 
worthy  pastor,  the  Rev.  Edward  Bogardus.     xx.  64. 

John  Cornelisz.  Backer. 

1641,  Dec.  2. 

The  Rev.  President  questioned  John  Comelisse  Backer.  He 
was  examined  in  the  fundamentals  of  the  Christian  Religion. 
His  answers  so  pleased  the  Rev.  Brethren  that  they  vnll  present 
him,  at  the  proper  time,  to  the  Messrs.  Directors  of  the  West 
India  Company,  to  be  sent  as  minister  to  Curacoa.  Eurther- 
more,  he  shall  be  ordained  to  the  ministry  by  the  lapng  on  of 
hands,  against  the  time  that  the  ships  shall  depart  for  the  said 
place,     xxxix.  92. 


OF  THE  StxVte  of  New  York.  143 

1642,  Feb.  7. 

Agreement  between  Adam  Roelantsen  of  Dockum,  and  John 
Teunison,  Carpenter,  respecting  the  building  of  a  house  for 
said  Koelantsen. 

John  Teunison  agrees  to  build  the  same  of  the  following  dimen- 
sions: In  length  thirty  feet,  in  width  eighteen  feet,  in  height 
eight  feet;  the  beams  to  be  hewn  at  four  sides,  tlie  house  to  be 
well  and  tight  clapboarded,  and  roofed  with  substantial  reeden 
thatch;  the  floors  tight  and  made  of  clapboard;  two  doors,  one 
entry,  a  pantry,  a  bedstead,  a  staircase  to  go  to  the  garret;  the 
upper  part  of  the  chimneys  to  be  of  wood;  one  mantelpiece;  the 
entry  to  be  three  feet  wide,  with  a  j)artition.  The  house  to  be 
ready  by  1st  of  May  next.  All  for  the  sum  of  three  hundred 
and  fifty  gTiilders  (one  hundred  and  forty  dollars,)  to  be  paid 
by  Roelantsen,  one  half  when  the  timber  is  on  the  ground  and 
the  other  half  when  the  building  is  finished. — ■  Dunshee,  17. 

Contract  betweeisj-  Patroon  Van  Eensselaer  at^d  Rev.  John 

Megapolensis. 

1642,  March  6th. 

Conditions  freely  assented  to  and  accepted  by  Kiliaen  Yan 
Rensselaer,  in  liis  quality  as  Patroon  of  his  Colony  named  Rens- 
selaerswyck,  and  by  Dr.  Johannes  Megapolensis,  minister  of  the 
Holy  Gospel  to  the  congregation  at  Schoorel  and  Berge,  under 
the  venerable  Classis  of  Alkmaar,  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Adam 
Bessels,  copartner  in  the  said  Colony,  and  the  Rev.  Jacobus  Lau- 
rentius  and  Petrus  Wittenwrongel,  both  ministers  of  Amsterdam, 
as  preacher  to  administer  and  promote  divine  ser^dce  in  the 
aforesaid  Colony  for  the  term  of  six  successive  years,  according 
to  previous  dismission  from  his  said  Classis. 

First,  Dr.  Johannes  Megapolensis,  thirty  nine  years  old,  with 
his  wife,  Machtelt  Willemsen,  aged  forty  two  years,  besides  his 
children,  Hellegond,  Dirrick,  Jan,  and  Samuel,  aged  fourteen, 
twelve,  ten  and  eight  years,  shall  furnish  and  provide  themselves 


1642 


1642 


144  .         Ecclesiastical  Records 

as  well  with  clothing,  furniture,  and  other  utensils,  and  these 
put  up  in  such  small  and  compact  parcels,  as  can  be  properly- 
stowed  away  in  the  ship. 

In  the  meantime,  as  his  six  years  and  his  salary  shall  commence 
so  soon  as  he  shall  set  foot  in  the  aforesaid  Colony,  the  Patroon, 
in  addition  to  free  board  for  them  all  in  the  ship,  imtil  they 
reach  the  Colony,  shall  over  and  above  make  him  a  present,  for 
future  service,  at  once,  of  three  hundred  guilders,  without 
deduction. 

And  in  case  it  happen,  which  the  Lord  God  in  His  mercy  for- 
bid, that  he  and  his  family  come  to  fall  in  the  hands  of  the  Dun- 
kirkers,  the  Patroon  promises  to  use  all  diligence  to  procure  his 
ransom;  to  forward  him  afterwards  on  his  voyage,  according  as 
occasion  shall  again  offer,  and  to  cause  to  be  paid  him,  during  his 
detention,  for  the  support  of  himseK  and  his  family,  forty 
guilders  per  month;  and  also  so  much  here  monthly,  after  he 
shall  have  received  his  liberty  and  orders,  and  shall  have  con- 
veyed him  hither,  until  he  embarks. 

On  his  arrival,  by  God's  help,  in  the  Colony,  the  Patroon  shall 
cause  to  be  shown  to  him  where  he  and  his  shall  lodge  at  first, 
until  a  fit  dwelling  shall  be  erected  for  him.  So  soon  as  he  shall 
reach  the  Colony,  his  hereafter-mentioned  salary  shall  commence, 
and  his  board  and  wages  cease,  and  the  Patroon  be  discharged 
therefrom. 

Which  salary,  in  order  that  he  and  his  family  shall  be  able 
honorably  to  maintain  themselves,  and  not  be  necessitated  to 
have  resource  to  any  other  means,  whetlier  tilling  the  land,  com- 
merce, rearing  of  cattle,  or  such  like;  but  by  the  diligent  per- 
formance of  his  duties  for  the  edifying  improvement  of  the  inhab- 
itants and  the  Indians,  without  being  indebted  to  any  person, 
which  he  also  acknowledges  to  observe;  wherefore  the  Patroon 
promises  to  cause  to  be  paid  to  him  for  the  first  three  years 
salary,  meat,  drink,  and  whatcA^er  else  he  may  claim  in  that 
regard,  one  thousand  or  ten  hundred  guilders  yearly,  one  half 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  145 

here  in  this  country,  the  remaining  half  in  proper  account  there, 
according  as  he  requires  it,  in  provisions,  clothing,  and  such  like, 
at  the  ordinary  and  accustomed  prices,  and  a  further  yearly  addi- 
tion of  thirty  schepels  of  wheat  —  I  say  thirty  schepels  —  and 
two  firkins  of  butter,  or,  in  place  thereof,  sixty  guilders  in 
money's  worth.  Should  the  Patroon  be  satisfied  with  his  ser- 
vice, he  shall  give  him  yearly,  the  three  following  years,  an  in- 
crease of  two  hundred  guilders. 

In  case  of  decease  within  the  aforesaid  six  years,  at  which  time 
the  salary  shall  cease,  the  Patroon  shall  pay  to  his  widow,  besides 
the  supplement  of  the  half  year  in  which  he  shall  have  entered, 
a  yearly  sum  of  one  hundred  guilders,  until  the  expiration  of  the 
aforesaid  six  years.  He  shall,  besides,  befriend  and  serve  the 
Patroon,  in  all  things  wherein  he  can  do  so  without  interfering 
with  or  impeding  his  duties.  The  aforesaid  Johannes  Mega- 
polensis  having  also  promised  to  comport  himself  in  the  said 
Colony  as  a  loyal  subject  and  inhabitant  thereof,  the  above  named 
Patroon,  on  his  side,  also  promises  for  him  and  his  successors,  to 
perform  and  execute  what  is  herein-before  set  forth,  and  to  fur- 
nish him  with  due  acte  and  commission  sealed  with  the  seal  of 
the  Patroon  and  the  Colony:  and  in  acknowledgment  of  the 
truth,  without  fraud,  guile,  or  deceit,  has  this  writing  been  signed 
by  both  sides.     In  Amsterdam,  this  6th  of  March,  1642. 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer. 

Johannes  Megapolensis. 

See  also  O'Callaghan's  ISTew  JSTetherland,  i.  449;  MunselFs 
Annals  of  Albany,  i.  21,  92. 

Van  Pensselaer. 

1642,  March  17th. 

Rev.  Peter  Wittenwrongel  announced  to  the  (Classical)  Assem- 
bly, that  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  having  a  colony  in  'New  I^ether- 
land,  made  request  of  us  to  aid  him  in  sending  a  minister  thereto; 

that  such  a  minister  had  been  suggested  to  him,  with  excellent 
10 


1642 


1642 


146  Ecclesiastical  Records 

testimonialsj  bv  the  name  of  John  Megapolensis,  Jr.,  at  present 
settled  in  the  church  of  Schoorel,  in  the  Classis  of  Alkmaar. 
The  Deputies  on  Indian  Affairs  ask,  that  the  brethren  of  the 
Classis  would  lend  their  aid  in  these  affairs.  Everything  was 
confirmed  by  the  Classis,  and  the  further  direction  and  execu- 
tion  of  the  call,  both  with  respect  to  the  church  and  the  Classis  of 
Alkmaar,  were  commended  to  the  Deputies,     iv.  249. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1642,  March  18th. 
Rev.  Peter  Wittenwrongel  in  the  Chair. 

Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  pastor  at  Schorel,  by  request, 
appeared  in  the  meeting.  He  was  asked  if  his  Reverence  were 
inclined  to  go  as  preacher  to  Rensselaerswyck  in  Xew  ISTether- 
land.  He  responded  that  he  had  a  great  desire  to  do  so.  There- 
upon the  meeting  requested  Mr.  Rentselaer,  (who,  in  connection 
with  a  few  partners,  is  engaged  in  commerce  at  the  above  men- 
tioned-place),  to  please  to  come  into  the  meeting,  and  confer 
with  the  said  Rev.  Mr.  Megapolensis,  and  make  arrangements 
about  his  salary.  Having  come  to  a  good  understanding  con- 
cerning this,  and  Mr.  Rentselaer  having  accepted  him  (Mega- 
polensis) in  the  above-mentioned  capacity,  the  meeting  resolved 
to  expedite  his  dismissal  from  his  church  and  Classis.  Revs.  Lau- 
rentius  and  Britmannus  were  appointed  a  committee  to  effect 
this.  It  was  further  resolved  that  the  next  meeting  be  held 
two  weeks  from  date,  ^t.z.  April  1st.     xx.  70. 

1642,  March  22nd. 
Call  of  Rev.  Johannes  Megapolensis. 

Whereas,  by  the  state  of  the  navigation  in  East  and  West 
Indies,  a  door  is  opened  through  the  special  pro^ddence  of  God, 
also  in  ^ew  ^Sfetherland  for  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ  for  the  salvation  of  men,  as  good  fruits  have  been  already 
witnessed  there  through  God's  mercy;  and  whereas  the  Brethren 
of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  have  been  notified  that  Mr.  Kiliaen 


OF  THE  State  of  Kew  York.  147 

van  Kensselaer  hath  Avithin  the  said  limits  in  the  North  Kiver 
as  Patroon,  or  Lord,  founded  a  Colony,  named  Rensselaerswyck, 
and  would  fain  have  the  same  provided  with  a  good,  honest,  and 
pure  preacher;  therefore  they  have  observed  and  fixed  their  eyes 
on  the  Reverend,  Pious  and  Well  Learned  Dr.  Johannes  Mega- 
polensis,  Junior,  a  faithful  servant  of  the  Gospel  of  the  Lord, 
in  the  congregation  of  Schorel  and  Berg,  under  the  Classis  of 
Alkmaar,  whom  ye  have  also  called,  after  they  had  spoken  with 
the  said  Lord,  Mr.  Kiliaen  van  Rensselaer,  in  the  same  manner 
as  they,  with  his  Honor's  approbation,  do  hereby  call  him  to  be 
sent  to  'New  J^etherlaiid,  there  to  preach  God's  "Word  in  the 
said  Colony,  to  administer  the  Holy  Sacraments  of  Baptism  and 
the  Lord's  Supper;  to  set  an  example  to  the  congregation,  in  a 
christian-like  manner,  by  public  precept;  to  ordain  elders  and 
deacons  according  to  the  form  of  the  holy  Apostle  Paul,  1  Tim. 
iii.,  V.  1;  moreover  to  keep  and  govern,  with  the  advice  and 
assistance  of  the  same,  God's  congregation  in  good  discipline  and 
order,  all  according  to  God's  Holy  Word,  and  in  conformity  with 
the  government,  confession,  and  catechism  of  the  ISTetherland 
Churches  and  the  Synodal  Acts  of  Dordrecht,  subscribed  by  him, 
to  this  end,  with  his  own  hand,  and  promised  in  the  presence  of 
God,  at  his  ordination,  requesting  hereby  all  and  every  who  shall 
see  and  read  these,  to  respect  our  worthy  brother  as  a  lawfully 
called  minister,  and  him  to  esteem  by  reason  of  his  office,  so 
that  he  may  perform  the  duty  of  the  Gospel  to  the  advancement 
of  God's  Holy  l^ame  and  the  conversion  of  many  poor  blind  men. 
May  the  Almighty  God,  who  hath  called  him  to  this  ministry, 
and  instilled  this  good  zeal  in  his  heart,  to  proclaim  Christ  to 
christians  and  heathens  in  such  distant  lands,  strengthen  him, 
more  and  more,  in  this  his  undertaking;  enrich  him  with  all  sorts 
of  spiritual  gifts ;  and  bless  overflowingly  his  faithful  labors :  and 
when  the  Chief  Shepherd,  Christ  Jesus,  shall  appear,  present  him 
with  the  imperishable  Crown  of  Eternal  Glory.    Amen. 


1642 


148  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1642 

Thus  given  in  our  Classical  Assembly  at  Amsterdam,  this  22n(i 

day  of  March,  1642.     Signed  in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the 

Avhole  body, 

Wilhelmus  Somerus,  Looo  Praesidis, 

Zloahar  Swalmius,  Scriba  Classis, 

Jonas  Abeels,  as  Elder. 

Examined  and  approved  by  the  Directors  of  the  West  India 
Company,  Chamber  of  Amsterdam,  6th  June,  1642. 

(Signed)  Charles  Looten, 

Elias  De  Eaet. 

1 

See  also  O'Callaghan's  'New  Xetherland,  i.  449 ;  Mnnsell's  An- 
nals of  Albany,  i.  21,  92. 

1642,  April  1st. 

Rev.  Peter  Wittenwrongel  in  the  Chair. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  examined,  and  also  the 
minutes  of  the  Classis,  in  reference  to  Indian  Affairs,  to  see  if 
there  was  anything  therein  needing  consideration,  or  which  ought 
to  be  brought  before  the  Classis.  It  was  found  that  the  Com- 
mittee ad  causas  were  charged  to  inquire  concerning  the  Spanish 
translation  of  the  Dutch  Confession  of  Faith.  This  had  been 
entrusted  to  their  excellencies,  the  Directors  of  the  West  India 
Company,  and  the  above  Committee  were  directed  to  endeavor  to 
obtain  it  from  them.  Eev.  Mr.  Wittenwrongel  promised  to  do 
this.  It  was  also  thought  proper  to  present  or  read  in  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Classis,  extracts  from  the  letter  and  documents  of 
the  ISTew  JSTetherland  Consistory  concerning  the  case  of  Lubbert 
Van  Dincklagen,  that  that  business  may  be  discussed  in  a  proper 
manner.  It  was  also  resolved,  as  certain  vessels  were  soon  to  sail, 
to  write  letters  to  the  East  and  West  Indies,  as  well  as  to  the 
Consistory  of  ISTew  JSTetherland  with  special  reference  to  the  case 
of  Lubbert  Van  Dincklagen.     xx.  71. 


':^  OF  THE  State  of  'N^w  York.  149 

A  CoMMUisriCATioN  from  !N'ew  Netherland  about  Lubberttjs 

Ya-n  Dinckeagen. 

1642,  April  7th. 

The  Rev.  Menrsius  stated  that  a  commuiiieation  had  been  re- 
ceived from  ISTew  Netherlands  (New  Amsterdam,)  coming  from, 
tbe  Consistory  there,  and  signed  by  the  elders  and  deacons.  They 
reqnest  that  correspondence  may  be  maintained  with  them  by  let- 
ters. They  state  that  they  had  sent  over  the  proceedings  against 
Lnbbert  Dincklagen,  and  were  very  much  surprised  that  hitherto 
no  reply  had  been  received.  They  reqnest  that  one  of  (the  state- 
ments?) of  Everardiis  Bogardus  may  be  placed  over  against  Lub- 
bert  Dincklagen.  They  hand  in  for  this  purpose  a  certificate  (at- 
test) and  extract  from  his  Chnrch  Book,  being  a  vindication  of 
the  aforesaid  Everardus  Bogardus.  This  having  been  discussed, 
after  (the  reading?)  of  the  aforesaid  missive  and  certificate,  it  was 
resolved  to  postpone  the  matter  until  after  further  examination 
of  the  Acta  of  the  aforesaid  Consistory,  (of  New  Amsterdam) 
which  must  be  sent  over;  and  until  after  Dincklagen  himself 
should  have  been  heard.  Meanwhile  the  Rev.  Brethren  ad  causas 
Indicas  shall  inform  that  church  of  our  action  by  writing.  They 
shall  also  investigate  the  whole  matter  ab  ovo,  so  as  to  be  able 
properly  to  inform  the  Classis  in  regard  to  everything,     iv.  252; 

xxxix.  102. 

1642,  April  8th. 

Rev.  Matthias  Meursius  in  the  Chair. 

Revs.  James  Laurentius  and  Henry  Britmannus  report,  that 
in  accordance  with  their  commission  they  went  before  the  Con- 
sistory at  Schorel,  and  before  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alkmaer,  and 
that  they  had  requested  and  obtained  the  dismissal  of  Rev.  John 
Megapolensis,  pastor  at  Schorel.  He  will  at  the  earliest  oppor- 
tunity depart  for  New  Netherland  to  enter  upon  his  charge  at 
the  place  called  Rentselaerwyck.     xx.  72. 


1642 


1642 


150  Ecclesiastical  Records 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Consistory  of  New  Amsterdam, 

April  22,  1642. 

Reverend,  Pious,  Wise,  Discreet  and  much   Beloved    Brethren, 

Rev.  (Bogardns)  and  Rev of  the  Church  of  Christ 

at  Manhattan  in  'New  Netherland: 

We  duly  received  your  esteemed  letter  which  you  sent  us 
in  September  of  last  year  (1641)  with  all  the  accompanying 
papers.  We  learned  th6refrom  not  only  the  good  condition  of  the 
Church  of  Christ  among  you,  and  your  hopes  for  the  conversion 
of  the  Americans  (the  Indians)  and  the  E^egroes;  but  we  also 
learned  of  your  entire  condition,  and  your  acts  and  procedures 
against  Lubbert  van  Dinclagen,  formerly  fiscal  (Treasurer)  there. 
Regarding  the  first  items,  we  heartily  rejoice,  and  thank  the  good 
God  for  the  great  grace  and  blessing  which  He  bestows  upon  the 
proclamation  of  his  saving  Word  in  those  strange  and  far  distant 
lands,  and  that  He  vouchsafes  a  reasonable  degree  of  prosperity 
to  his  church  there;  also  that  good  hopes  exist  for  the  conversion 
of  the  Negroes,  (Negrita-men).  We  beseech  him  as  Lord  of  Lords 
(or  Sovereign)  of  the  most  hardened,  that  it  may  please  him  to 
open  also  the  door  among  the  Americans  (the  Indians),  so  that 
the  ministration  of  his  Holy  Word  may  have  free  course  among 
them;  and  that  those  blind  heathen  may  be  delivered  from  the 
thick  darknesses  of  their  idolatries  and  the  service  of  the  devil, 
and  brought  to  the  knowledge  and  fear  of  the  true  God  and 
Saviour,  to  the  glory  of  His  name  and  their  own  salvation. 

As  regards  the  second  item,  touching  the  affair  of  Lubbert  van 
Dincklagen :  we  have  diligently  perused  your  papers,  and  seriously 
noted  the  extract  from  your  church-book  in  relation  to  his  affairs ; 
and  also  the  laudatory  testimony  given  to  your  minister,  the  Rev. 
Edwardus  Bogardus.  We  should  have  immediately  summoned 
the  said  Lubbert  van  Dincklagen  before  our  Classical  Assembly, 
to  lay  all  this  before  him,  and  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say  about  it; 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  151 

1642 


but  we  were  informed  that  he  was  not  living  in  the  city,  (of  Am- 
sterdam),   but   had   some    time    ago    removed    his    residence    to 


It  was  therefore  resolved  by  us  to  write  to  him,  and  to  act  fur- 
ther in  the  premises  as  might  seem  proper.  In  the  meantime  we, 
here,  shall  not  fail  to  defend  the  honor  of  a  minister,  our  honored 
colleague,  Kev.  E.  Bogardus;  and  as  occasion  serves,  we  shall 
write  further  what  shall  be  done  by  us  in  this  matter. 

There  is  also  to  be  sent  to  I^ew  ISTetherland,  notwithstanding  a 
verbal  protest,  to  wit,  to  Eensselaerswyck,  a  certain  minister  of 
the  name  of  John  Megapolensis,  who  has  been  in  the  ministry  in 
this  country   (Holland)  for  a  long  time  already,   (since  1634), 

with  whom Eev.  Bogardus  and  his  entire  Consistory 

are  admonished  and  exhorted  to  hold  correspondence  and  com- 
munion, so  far  at  least  as  the  circumstances  and  the  place  permit; 
and  thus  with  united  hands  to  proclaim  the  Word  of  the  Lord 
not  only  among  our  own  nationality,  but  also  among  the  blind 
heathen  in  America.  Thus  will  we  all  heartily  rejoice  that  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  Jesus  is  more  widely  extended  there.  May  the 
Lord  bless  the  labors  of  both  these  ministers  abundantly, 
strengthen  them  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  grant  that 
they  may  faithfully  use  their  talents  to  the  magnifying  of  His 
Holy  N^ame,  to  the  extension  of  the  kingdom  of  our  Saviour  Christ, 
and  to  the  conversion  and  salvation  of  men. 

Herewith  concluding,  Eeverend,  Pious,  Wise,  Discreet,  and 
Much  Beloved  Brethren,  we  commend  you  all  unitedly,  and  at 
the  same  time  the  Rev.  Domine  Bogardus,  our  colleague  and  fel- 
low-laborer in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  to  God  and  the  Word  of  His 
Grace.  May  He  strengthen  you  in  your  respective  offices  and  in- 
vigorate you  with  long  continued  health,  to  the  glory  of  his  !N^ame, 
and  to  your  own  salvation.  Amen.  Dated  at  Amsterdam,  April 
22,  1642. 

By  order  and  in  the  name  of  the  Rev.  Brethren  of  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  the  Committee  tliereof,  etc,     xxxix.  103,  104. 


1642 


152  Ecclesiastical  Records 

[l!Tames  not  given  in  the  Record  Book.] 

1642,  April  24th. 
Rev.  James  Lanrentius  in  the  Chair. 

As  the  vessels  for  the  East  and  West  Indies,  and  for  'New 
N'etherland,  lay  ready  for  sailing,  two  letters  were  A^oitten,  re- 
vised, signed,  and  despatched:  one  to  the  East  Indies,  and  one 
to  New  Motherland.  But  the  letter  for  the  East  Indies  was  de- 
livered a  little  too  late;  and  it  was  deemed  unnecessary  at  this 
time  to  write  to  the  West  Indies,  as  during  the  previous  winter 
there  had  been  sent  thither  full  information  concerning  all  the 
affairs,     xx.  72. 

Case  of  Everardus  Bogardus  and  Lubbertus  Dincklagen. 

1642,  May  5th. 

Regarding  the  case  of  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus  versus  Lub- 
bert  Dincklagen,  the  Rev.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  stated  that 
they  have  already  written  to  the  church  of  J^ew  Motherland  (New 
Amsterdam,)  and  that  they  have  also  investigated  the  whole  mat- 
ter, so  as  to  be  able  to  instruct  the  Classis  in  accordance  with  the 
foregoing  resolution,  (of  April  Y,  1642.)  But  the  case  is  post- 
poned until  the  arrival  of  the  aforesaid  Dincklagen,  with  whom 
the  Rev.  Deputies  will  then  confer,  after  which  they  will  make 
their  report,     iv.  253-4;  xxxix.  104. 

Johannes  Megapolensis. 

1642,  June  2nd. 

Concerning  the  case  of  John  Megapolensis,  the  Deputed 
Brethren  report,  that  in  compliance  with  their  desire,  they  had 
proposed  to  and  urged  upon  the  Classis  of  Alkmaar,  the  dismissal 
of  the  aforesaid  Megapolensis,  and  had  also  secured  the  same. 
iv.  258;  xxxix.  107. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York. 


153 


1642 


Memorandum  for  Dominie  Johannes  Megapolensls,  this  3rd  June,   1642,   proceeding 
to  the  Colonle  by  the  ship  De  Houttuyn,  skipper  Adrlaen  Dlrcksen  Houttuyn, 

From  the  Rensselaerswyck  MSS.— His  Reverence  will  be  pleased  to  take  charge 
of  my  people  and  property,  which  are  at  present  conveyed  over  in  God's  name,  In 
the  ship  De  Houttuyn.     The  persons  going  over  will  be  these:— 


Do.  Johannes  Megapolensls, 
Matheld  Wlllemsen,  his  wife, 
Hellegond,  Dlrrlck,  John,  and 

Samuel,   his  children, 
Abraham  Staes,  surgeon, 

his  servant. 
Evert  Pels,  beer-brewer, 

his  wife, 

his  man, 
Cornells  Lamberssen,  van  Doom, 

Utrecht,  farm  servant, 
Jochlm  Kettelhuer,  van  Cremyn, 
Johan  Helms,   van   Baritt,   N.    Brabant, 
Johan  Carsterssen,  van  Baritt, 

N.  Brabant, 


Jeuriach    Bestvaell,    van    Luydendorp, 
Claes  Jansen,  van  Waalwyck, 

N.   Brabant, 
Paulus  Jansen,  van  Geertruydenburg,  do. 
Hans  Vos  van  Baden. 
Juriaen  van  Slesv/yck,  N.  Brabant, 
Hendrick  Albertsen  van  Wuden, 

29  years  old, 
Gertrude    Dries,    his    wife     ] 

23  years  old,  I         From 

Hendrick,    Dries,    her    bro   i  Driesburg. 

ther,  21  years,  j 


It  Is  to  be  remembered  that  this  Hendrick  Albertz,  for  his  three;  Abraham  Staes, 
for  his  two;  Evert  Pels,  for  his  three,  must  pay  the  skipper  Adrlaen  Dircksen  for 
their  board,  in  the  same  manner  as  all  the  other  freemen.  But  the  farm  servants 
are  to  come  at  my  expense. 

N.  B.  The  book-keeper  In  the  colonle  shall  usually  observe  that  the  expense  of 
the  board  of  the  freemen  must  be  charged  to  their  account,  as  Director  Kleft  some- 
times places  it  under  one  head,  altogether  to  the  charge  of  the  Patroon. 

He  shall  take  care  that  these  persons  embarked  on  shipboard,  and  having  arrived, 
by  God's  help,  at  the  Manhattans,  where  the  Noble  Director  Kleft  resides,  obtain 
that  they,  and  my  goods,  be  forwarded  to  the  colonle  by  the  first  opportunity,  and 
provided  with  food  at  my  expense,  and  according  to  my  cordial  salutations  to  the 
Honorable  Director  Kleft,  which  shall  be  followed. 

On  the  arrival  of  these  persons  at  the  colonle,  they  shall  present  themselves  first 
to  the  Commissary  Arendt  van  Curler,  to  be  by  him  registered,  and  allotted  their 
work,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  the  officer  Adrlaen  van  der  Donck,  who,  if  so  be 
he  should  have  occasion  for  the  services  of  the  two  Bredaelse  young  men,  may  keep 
them  by  him.     Otherwise  they  are  there  on  my  account  for  closer  examination. 


Herry  Albertzen,  who  hath  equally  come  home  before  his  time,  has  allowed  me 
one  guilder  per  hide  for  recognition,  according  to  contract  made  with  him.  Then 
concerning  the  amount  of  tobacco  over  the  tenths,  (which  he  hath  consented  to,)  I 
have  not  been  able  to  agree  with  him.  He  has  been  treating  with  me  for  the  place 
of  ferry-man,  fixing  his  dwelling  by  the  Beavers  Creek,  in  order  to  convey  the 
people  to  the  church  neighborhood,  (Kerckebuyrte,)  and  back  again  from  thence. 
As  the  church,  the  minister's  house,  that  of  the  officer,  and,  moreover,  of  all  the 
trades-people,  (ambachten,)  must  henceforward  be  established  there,  as  Abraham 
Staes  and  Evert  Pels,  the  brewer,  have  undertaken,  I  am  entirely  willing,  and  con- 
sent that,  with  the  exception  of  the  farmers  and  tobacco-planters,  who  must  reside 


1642 


154  Ecclesiastical  Records 

at  their  farms  and  plantations,  no  other  tradesman,  henceforward  and  after  the 
expiration  of  their  service,  shall  establish  themselves  elsewhere  than  in  the  church 
vicinage,  in  the  order  and  according  to  the  plan  of  building  sent  herewith;  for  every 
one  residing  where  he  thinks  fit,  separated  far  from  others,  would  be,  unfortu- 
nately, in  danger  of  their  lives,  in  the  same  manner  as  sorrowful  experience  has 
taught,  around  the  Manhattans,  of  all  which  the  commissary,  Arendt  van  Curler, 
shall  give  notice  to  all  persons,  being  called  together,  so  that  they  may  regulate 
themselves  accordingly. —  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  I,  451,  452. 

June  6,  1642. 

Agreement  between  Kiliaen  Tan  Rensselaer  and  the  Directors 
of  the  West  India  Company,  relative  to  the  approval  of  the  call  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Megapolensis. 

Whereas,  differences  have  occurred  between  the  Directors  of 
the  Amsterdam  Chamber  of  the  West  India  Company  and  Kiliaen 
van  Rensselaer,  Patroon  of  his  Colony  named.  Rensselaerswyck, 
in  N'ew  Netherland,  as  to  the  approval  of  the  Acte  of  Commis- 
sion granted  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Domine  Joannes 
Megapolensis  to  be  invested  with  the  office  of  preacher  in  the 
aforesaid  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  in  ^ew  ISTetherland,  and  as 
the  ship  wherein  the  said  minister  must  depart  lies  ready  to  sail, 
50  that  periculum  in  mora  est  of  injuring  the  said  voyage  — 
Therefore,  the  aforesaid  Kiliaen  van  Rensselaer  consents  that  the 
said  Directors  shall  affix  their  approbation  to  the  aforesaid  Acte 
of  Commission,  under  express  protest  that  he,  Rensselaer,  shall 
not  be  prejudiced  in  his  right,  but  the  parties  on  either  side  shall 
remain  unprejudiced  in  their  present  rights.  In  witness  whereof, 
the  Directors  and  Kiliaen  van  Rensselaer  have  granted  and  signed 
this  present  Acte  at  Amsterdam,  this  6th  June,  XVI  hundred 
two  and  forty. 

Signed  respectively, 

Charles  Loo  ten, 
Elias  De  Raet. 

See  also  O'Callaghan's  ISTew  ISTetherland,  i.  449;  Munsell's  An- 
nals of  Albany,  i.  21,  92. 


OF  THE  State  of  ITew  York.  155 

1642 

Catalogue  of  Books  which  are  sent  for  the  Library  In  Rensselaerswyck,  to  be  for- 
warded there. 

IN   folio. 

1.  Biblla  Graeca, 

2.  Concordantia  Bibliorum, 

3.  Opera  Calvini,  8  torn. 

4.  Opera  Ursinii, 

5.  Polyanthea  Langii  et  Gruteri:  torn  2. 

6.  Titus  Livius, 

7.  Cursus  Philosoph.  Roderici  de  Arriag, 

8.  Theatrum   Terrae   Sanctae   Christian! 

Andrichonii. 

IN  QUARTO. 

1.  Adrian!  Metii  Primum  Mobile, 

2.  Adriani  Metii  Arithmet., 

3.  Theologia  Naturalis  Alstedii, 

4.  Manuale  Concionum,   Did.  Alvares, 

5.  Animadversiones  in  4  Evang.  Lud:  de 

Dieu, 

6.  Thesaurus  Oi^cononiiae,  J.   Casi, 

7.  Petri  Rami  Arithm.  et  Geom., 

8.  Distinct.    Philos.    et    Theolog.    Casta- 

ner, 

9.  Theologia  didactica  Alstedii. 

REMARKS  ON  THE  ABOVE,  BY  DR.  T.  ROMEYN  BECK. 

Folio. 
No  remarks  necessary  on  1,  2,  and  3. 

4.  Ursinius,  (probably  Zachary,)  the  friend  of  Melancthon  and  of  Sir  Philip  Sidney 
Born  in  Silesia,  in  1534;  died,  1583.     (Chalmers'  General  Biographical  Dictionary.) 

5.  John  Gruter,  (in  Latin,  Janus  Gruterus,)  born  at  Antwerp,  1560;  died,  1627.  He 
edited  the  Polyanthea  of  Langius.     (Biographic  Univ6rselle.) 

6 

7.  Arriaga,  (Roderic  de.)  A  learned  Jesuit,  native  of  Castile.  Born,  1592;  died, 
1667.  Chancellor  of  the  University  of  Prague;  published,  in  1632,  a  Course  of 
Philosophy,  in  one  volume.     Folio.     (Ibid.) 

8.  Christian,  Andrichonius,  a  geographer  of  considerable  reputation,  born  at  Delft, 
in  Holland,  1533;  died,  1585.  The  work  for  which  he  is  best  known  is  Terrae 
Sanctae  Theatrum  et  Biblicarum  Historiarum,  or  History  of  the  Holy  Land,  illus- 
trated by  maps.  It  passed  through  a  number  of  editions  in  folio,  from  1590  to 
1682.     (Watt's  Bibliotheca  Britannica.) 

Quarto. 

1,  2.  Adrian  Metius,  an  able  Dutch  Geometrician,  born  at  Alkmar,  in  1571;  died, 
1635.  His  "  Treatise  on  Arithmetic  "  was  published  in  1611,  in  quarto.  '*  Primum 
Mobile  astronomice,  sciographice,  Geometrice,  et  hydrographice  novi  methodo  expll- 
catum."     Amsterdam:  Quarto:  1631.     (Biographic  Universelle.) 

3,  9.  Alstedius,  born  at  Herborn,  county  of  Nassau,  where  he  became  Professor 
of  Philosophy  and  Theologj'.  He  then  went  as  professor  to  Weissenburg,  in  Tran- 
sylvania, where  he  died  in  1638.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Synod  of  Dort.  A 
most  indefatigable  writer.     (Ibid.)     Alstedius  "  Theologia  Naturalis  "  was  published 


1649 


156  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

In  1615  and  In  1662  In  quarto.     (Biographical  Dictionary  of  the  Society  for  the  dif- 
fusion of  Useful  Knowledge,  vol.  2.) 

4.  Didacus  (Diego)  Alvarez.  There  were  two  of  this  name.  One  a  Spanish  Do- 
minican, Archbishop  of  Trasil,  died  in  1635;  the  other  a  Spanish  Jesuit,  died  1617. 
I  cannot  find  the  above  work  among  the  list  of  their  writings. 

5.  Lewis  de  Dieu;  Protestant  Professor  in  the  Walloon  College  at  Flushing.  Born, 
1590;  died,  1642.  His  work  entitled  "Animadversiones  in  quatuor  Evangelia,"  was 
published  at  Leyden,  in  quarto,  in  1631.     (Biog.  Universelle.) 

6.  Case,  John,  M.  D.,  an  eminent  Physician  and  Philosopher  of  Oxford;  born  at 
Woodstock,   Eng. ;   died,   1600.     He  published  a  number  of  works,   among  which  is 
Thesaurus   CEconomiae,    seu   Commentarius   in  ORconomia     Aristotelis;    Oxon.    1597, 
1598;  Hanov.  1598;  8vo.     There  is  a  monument  to  his  memory  in  St.  John's  College. 
(Watt;  also  Biog.  Diet.) 

7.  Peter  Ramus,  a  celebrated  French  Mathematician,  born  1515;  died,  1572.  Pub- 
lished "Arithmetica,  Graeca  et  Latina,"  at  Paris,  quarto,  1555;  "  Geometria,"  at 
Basle,   quarto,   1596.     (Watt.) 

8.  Henry  Lewis  Castaneus  published  a  work  entitled  "  Celebriorum  distinctionum 
tum  Philosophicorum  et  Theologicorum  Synopsis."  (Watt.) — O'Callaghan's  History 
of  New  Netherland,   Vol.  i.  454,  455. 


Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

John  Cornelisz  Backer. 

43,  45,  52,  58. 

1642,  July  21st. 

Whereas  John  Cornelisz  Backer  has  earnestly  requested  cer- 
tain of  the  Brethren,  Deputies  ad  Causas,  that  his  case  should 
be  pushed  wdth  all  seriousness  with  the  Messrs.  Directors  of  the 
"West  India  Company,  that  he  may  sail  as  minister  to  Curacoa 
at  the  earliest  opportunity,  as  was  promised  him  by  the  Classis: 
therefore  it  was  resolved,  that  to-morrow  the  Messrs.  Directors 
shall  be  addressed  about  this  matter,  in  order  to  advance  it  as 
much  as  possible,     xx.  Y8. 

Arrival  of  Megapolensis. 

The  Rev.  Johannes  Megapolensis,  "  the  pious  and  well-learned  minister  of  th? 
congregation  of  Schoorel  and  Berge,"  under  the  Classis  of  Alkmaer,  was  duly  called 
to  disseminate  the  light  of  the  gospel  among  the  Christians  and  heathen  in  the 
colonie,  and  regularly  commissioned  "  to  preach  God's  Word  there;  to  administer 
the  holy  sacraments  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper;  to  set  an  example,  in  a 
Christian-like  manner,  by  public  precept;  to  ordain  elders  and  deacons;  to  keep 
and  govern,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  assistance  of  the  same,  God's  congregation 
in  good  discipline  and  order,  all  according  to  God's  Holy  Word,  and  In  conformity 


OF  THE  State  of  E^ew  York.  157 

with  the  government,   confession,  and  catechism  of  the  Netherland  churches,  and 
the  synodal  acts  of  Dordrecht."* 

The  allowance  guaranteed  to  this  clergyman  was  free  passage  on  board  for  him- 
self, his  wife  and  four  children,  who  accompanied  him  to  New  Netherland;  an 
outfit  of  three  hundred  guilders,  or  one  hundred  and  twenty  dollars,  and  an  annual 
stipend,  for  the  first  three  years,  of  eleven  hundred  guilders,  (four  hundred  and 
forty  dollars,)  thirty  schepels  of  wheat  and  two  firkins  of  butter,  or  in  place 
thereof,  should  he  prefer  it,  sixty  guilders  in  cash.  This  salary  was  to  be  further 
increased  by  an  addition  of  two  hundred  guilders  a  year,  for  the  second  term  of 
three  years,  if  the  Patroon  were  satisfied  with  his  services.  A  pension  of  one  hun- 
dred guilders  per  annum  was  secured  to  his  wife,  in  case  of  his  demise  within  the 
above  term,  for  and  during  whatever  time  might  remain  unexpired  of  his  engage 
ment. 

These  preliminaries  having  been  thus  arranged,  an  obstacle  was  unexpectedly 
thrown  in  the  way  of  Mr.  Megapolensis'  departure  by  the  Directors  of  the  West 
India  Company,  who  claimed  the  exclusive  right  to  approve  of  his  appointment.  To 
this,  however,  the  feudal  lord  of  Rensselaerswyck  demurred;  and  it  was  not  until 
after  a  lapse  of  several  months  that  a  compromise  was  agreed  to,  the  Directors 
approving  of  the  appointment  under  protest  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer, 
saving  his  right  as  Patroon. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Megapolensis  and  family  embarked,  together  with  Abraham  Staes, 
surgeon,  Evert  Pels,  a  brewer,  and  a  number  of  other  freemen,  farmers,  and  farm- 
servants,  shortly  after  this,  in  the  ship  the  Houttuyn,  or  Woodyard,  which  was 
freighted  with  a  quantity  of  goods  for  the  Colonie  —  between  two  and  three  hun 
dred  bushels  of  malt  for  Mr.  Pels  —  four  thousand  tiles,  and  thirty  thousand  stone 
for  building  —  besides  some  vines  and  madder,  the  cultivation  of  which  the  Patroon 
was  desirous  of  introducing  among  his  people.  On  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Megapolensis 
at  Rensselaerwyck,  a  contract  was  concluded  for  the  erection  of  a  dwelling  for 
himself  and  family,  but  the  contractor  having  failed  in  fulfilling  his  agreement,  a 
house  belonging  to  Maryn  Adriaensen,  constructed  entirely  of  oak,  was  subsequently 
purchased  for  hife  use,  for  the  sum  of  three  hundred  guilders,  or  one  hundred  and 
twenty  dollars. 

A  church,  thirty-four  feet  long,  and  nineteen  feet  wide  —  the  first  in  this  quarter 
—  was  erected  in  the  course  of  the  following  year.  Though  humble  in  its  dimen- 
sions, when  compared  with  modern  edifices  of  a  similar  sacred  character,  it  was 
considered,  at  this  time,  suflaciently  ample  for  the  accommodation  of  the  faithful, 
"  for  the  next  three  or  four  years,  after  which  it  might  be  converted  into  a  school- 
house,  or  a  dwelling  for  the  sexton."  A  pulpit,  ornamented  with  a  canopy,  was 
soon  added  for  the  preacher,  as  well  as  pews  for  the  magistrates  and  for  the  dea- 
cons, and  "  nine  benches  "  for  the  congregation.  The  expense  of  all  this  neces- 
sary furniture  amounted  to  the  sum  of  thirty-two  dollars.  While  providing  accom- 
modation for  the  living,  the  dead  were  not  forgotten.  The  "  church-yard  "  lay  In 
the  rear,  or  to  the  west,  of  the  Patroon's  trading-house  —  in  what  is  now  very 
correctly  called  "  Church  "  street:  and  in  order  "  to  be  safe  from  the  ravages  of 
the  Indians,"  the  infant  hamlet,  living  and  dead,  nestled  close  under  the  guns  of 
Fort  Orange,  t 

*  This  gentleman  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Johannes  Megapolensis,  minister  of 
Coedyck  in  Holland,  and  of  Hellegond  Jansen.  He  married  his  cousin  Machteld  Wil- 
lemsen,  daughter  of  William  Steengs,  or  Heengs,  who  was  his  senior  by  three 
years.     See  Appendix  J;   also  Alb.   Rec.  v.,  323,   339. 

t  The  date  of  the  erection  of  the  above  church  is  taken  from  Van  Curler's  letter 
to  the  Patroon,  dated  June,  1643,  which  will  be  found  translated  in  part,  under 
that  date.     Kleft,  when  proposing.  In  1642,  to  erect  a  church  in  New  Amsterdam, 


1642 


1642 


158  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Synod  of  N^orth  Holland,  at  Enckhuyzen. 

1642,  Aug.  12    et  seq. 
Art.  34.    East  and  ^Vest  Indies. 

In  reference  to  Art.  29,  (1641),  the  Depntati  reported,  that 
certain  Deputies  from  the  Synods  of  Gelderland,  South  Hol- 
land, Utrecht  and  Overs^ssel,  handed  in  to  their  High  ^lighti- 
nesses  a  doleantie,  in  which  they  complain  that  the  Synod  of 
North  Holland  arrogates  to  itself  the  care  and  supervision  of 
the  churches  in  the  East  and  West  Indies;  and  that  such  care 
ought  to  be  common  to  all  the  churches  of  the  United  Provinces. 
At  the  same  time  they  request  that  matters  should  be  so  ar- 
ranged, that  upon  the  granting  of  ^ev7  Charters  (to  the  East 
India  Company  and  to  the  West  India  Company)  a  casus  corre- 
spondentiam  might  be  decreed,  consisting  of  Deputies  from  the 
Synods  of  all  the  United  Provinces;  that  these  should  have 
charge  of  everything  necessary  for  the  welfare  of  the  East  and 
"West  India  churches.  Their  Honors,  however,  have  given  such 
instructions  to  the  Pev.  Synod  of  South  Holland,  that  the  same 
has  agreed  to  (hold)  a  conference  betvveen  our  (and)  their  Depu- 
ties, in  the  presence  of  the  corresponding  brethren.  Finally 
the  following  proposition  was  submitted : 

To  prevent  all  estrangement  and  dissensions  which  would  nec- 
essarily arise  between  the  respective  Synods,  so  is  it,  that  the 

referred  to  the  then  contemplated  erection  of  this  church  in  Rensselaerswyck.  That 
it  was  erected  in  1643.  is  evident  from  Megapolensis'  tract  on  the  Maquaas,  pub- 
lished in  1644,  in  which  allusion  is  made  to  it.  The  expense  of  the  pulpit,  pews, 
etc.,  is  taken  from  the  "  Groet  Boek  der  Colonic  Rensselaerswyck,"  anno  1645-6,  p. 
56,  in  which  we  find  to  the  credit  of  "  Willem  Fredericksz  "  the  following  entry: — 
"  Voor  dat  hy  in  de  kerck  heeft  gemaakt  een  Predickstool,  het  verwulf,  een 
voor  de  overicheyt,  een  ditto  voor  de  Diaconie.  een  cosyn  met  2  lichten,  een  kruys 
cosyn  dicht  gemaackt,  en  daerin  een  kusje,  een  hoeckje  nevens  de  stool,  met  een 
banck  in  een  winckelhaeck,  en  9  bancken,  te  saemen  voor,  80  fl."  This  church  was 
suflaciently  wealthy  in  1647,  (May  29,)  to  loan  two  hundred  guilders  to  the  Patroon, 
for  which  the  Diaconie,  or  deacons,  received  the  obligation  of  the  colonial  court, 
payable  in  one  year  after  date,  at  ten  per  cent.  See  account-book  F.  Rensselaers- 
wyck MSS.;  also  the  obligation  itself  in  the  GerechtsroUe.  A  new  "  stoop,"  or  steps, 
was  added  in  1651,  to  the  front  of  the  above  building,  which  accommodated  the 
faithful  until  1656,  when  a  second  church  was  erected  at  the  junction  of  what  are 
now  State  and  Market  streets.  In  1715,  a  new  church  was  erected  on  the  latter 
Bite,  including  within  its  walls  that  of  1656.  The  church  of  1715  was  finally  pulled 
down  in  1806.—  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  I.  328-331. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  159 

charge  of,  or  tlie  correspondence  with,  the  churches  in  the  East 
and  West  Indies  shall  be  maintained  by,  and  left  to,  all  the 
respective  churches.  Classes,  and  Synods,  within  whose  bounds 
there  are  Chambers  (of  the  Companies).  They  shall  carefully 
see  to  it,  that  the  churches  in  those  far  distant  regions  shall 
abide  bv  the  same  doctrine  of  the  truth,  and  ecclesiastical  order 
and  government  as  the  churches  of  this  land;  and  until  such  time 
and  occasion  as  shall  otherwise  be  determined  at  a  National 
Coetus  on  the  subject,  and  to  the  mutual  satisfaction  of  the  re- 
spective Synods,  these  following  matters  are  provisionally  sub- 
mitted and  accepted:  First:  That  all  the  churches  and  Classes 
where  the  Chambers  are  located,  shall  annually  make  a  full 
(pertinent)  report  in  their  Synods  of  the  state  of  the  churches 
in  the  East  and  West  Indies;  what  ministers  and  Ziekentroosters 
have  been  sent  thither;  and  that  a  summary  thereof  shall  be  in- 
serted in  the  Actis  Synodibus,  and  this  brought  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  all  the  Synods  of  our  land. 

2.  That  the  Correspondents  shall,  at  their  own  expense,  take 
with  them  copies  of  the  Classical  Acta,  and  of  all  other  letters 
and  documents  which  are  of  any  pertinence  to  these  matters. 

3.  That  whenever  any  notable  difficulties  arise  in  these  Indian 
Churches,  touching  Doctrine  or  Order,  and  which  can  not  well 
be  acted  on  in  any  one  particular  Classis  or  Synod,  that  then 
such  difficulties  shall  be  communicated  to  the  several  Synods  of 
these  lands,  in  order  to  obtain  also  their  decisions  thereon;  and 
in  case  the  matter  did  not  permit  any  further  delay,  then  the 
facts  should  be  made  known  to  the  Revs.  Deputies  of  the  sev- 
eral Synods. 

4.  So,  also,  whenever  any  individuals  from  the  Classes  or 
Synods  where  there  are  no  Chambers  (of  the  Companies)  might 
be  inclined  to  serve  the  church  of  God  in  the  East  and  West 
Indies;  such  shall  address  themselves  to  some  Classes  or  Synod 
where  there  are  such  Chambers,  and  if  they  are  provided  with 


1642 


1642 


160  Ecclesiastical  Records 

proper  certificates  as  to  doctrine  and  life,  caeteris  paribus,  they 
sliall  always  be  held  in  good  recommendation. 

This  proposition  the  Eev.  Synod  of  South  Holland  has  ac- 
cepted provisionally,  and  the  Rev.  Brethren,  the  Correspondents, 
have  promised  to  make  it  known  to  their  respective  Synods.  On 
this  occasion  was  also  read  a  certain  writing  from  the  Classis 
of  AYalcheren,  (in  Zeeland),  addressed  to  this  Synod;  they  have 
also  sent  over  their  remarks  on  the  abovementioned  doleantie, 
(complaint)  which  were  submitted  to  their  High  Mightinesses. 
In  these  they  argue  against  this  matter  at  great  length,  and 
request  that  these  their  remarks  may  be  read  at  this  Synod,  and 
be  properly  considered;  also  that  they  may  be  informed  as  to 
what  shall  be  resolved  on  in  regard  to  this  new  proposition  of 
the  aggrieved  Synods,  as  to  the  care  of  the  churches  of  the  East 
and  West  Indies.  Thereupon  their  remarks  were  read  to  the 
Assembly.  These  having  been  listened  to,  some  of  the  Rev. 
Brethren,  the  Correspondents,  manifested  their  displeasure  at 
such  manner  of  writing,  and  requested  a  copy. 

The  Synod  after  looking  into  and  considering  everything  well, 
in  the  first  place,  accepted  the  aforesaid  proposition,  drawn  up 
at  the  last  Synod  of  South  Holland,  at  Gorkum. 

2.  They  thought  that  the  giving  of  a  copy  of  that  paper  from 
Walcheren  (Chamber  at  Middleburg  on  the  Island  of  Walcheren) 
might  easily  cause  some  unpleasantness,  and  retard  the  accept- 
ance of  the  said  proposition  by  the  other  aggrieved  Synods.  There- 
fore the  Rev.  Brethren,  the  Correspondents,  were  requested,  in 
the  interest  of  peace,  to  relinquish  the  demand  for  a  copy;  es- 
pecially, as  the  letter  from  the  Classis  of  Walcheren  plainly 
indicates  that  the  oft  mentioned  proposition  was  not  known  to 
them  at  the  time;  otherwise  they  doubtless  would  not  have  sent 
their  objections. 

3.  That  the  President  of  the  Deputies,  Wittewrongel,  shall 
thank  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Walcheren  for  the  good  correspond- 
ence maintained  in  this  instance,   and  let  them  know  in  what 


OF  THE  State  of  IN'ew  York.  161 

1642 

state  this  case  is  now;  also  that  while  recognizing  their  object 
as  good,  the  Eev.  Synod,  nevertheless,  could  have  wished  that 
they  had  employed  a  somewhat  gentler  and  less  offensive  man- 
ner of  writing;  especially,  as  the  Rev.  Brethren,  the  Correspond- 
ents had  shown  no  little  displeasure  at  the  same.  The  Deputati 
were  also  thanked  for  their  diligence  and  faithful  care.* 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

John  Jansen  Smeet  —  John  Cornelius  Backer. 

1642,  Aug-ust  19th. 

The  Rev.  Jacob  (James)  Laurentius,  and  Matthias  Meursius, 
reported,  that  according  to  their  commission,  they  had  been  be- 
fore the  meeting  of  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company, 
and  had  presented  before  them  the  name  of  John  Jansen  Smeet 
as  Krankbezoeker,  making  mention  at  the  same  time  of  the 
meagerness  of  his  knowledge  of  writing,  and  also  of  their  doubt 
whether  indeed  heretofore  he  acted  as  schoolmaster  in  Brazil, 
as  he  said.  Whereupon  the  Messrs.  Directors  aforesaid,  taking 
no  account  of  these  objections,  accepted  him  in  the  said  capacity. 
They  did  also  at  the  same  time  speak  with  the  said  Directors 
about  the  case  of  John  Cornelius  Backer.  The  Classis  long  ago 
resolved  to  advance  him  as  minister  to  Curacoa,  and  then  re- 
quested their  Honors  that,  if  it  were  possible,  they  would  for- 
ward him  thither  as  soon  as  convenient,  inasmuch  as  he  was 
getting  distressed  by  the  long  delay  and  the  consumption  of  his 
means.  They  answered,  that  for  the  present,  they  saw  no  op- 
portunity of  sending  him  thither,  as  no  ship  would  sail  for  Cura- 
coa for  a  long  time.  They  added  that  a  resolution  had  been 
adopted  by  the  Assembly  of  the  Nineteen  that  they  would  ac- 

*  Zeeland  stood  by  North  and  South  Holland,  because  there  were  Chambers  of 
the  Companies  also  in  Zeeland.  There  were  no  Chambers  of  the  East  India  Com- 
pany in  the  bounds  of  the  complaining  Synods.  The  West  India  Company  had  a 
Chamber  in  the  bounds  of  the  Synod  of  ITriesland  only,  besides  those  in  Holland 
and  Zeeland. 

11 


1642 


162  Ecclesiastical  Records 

cept  no  more as  ministers  in  their  service.  But  hav- 
ing reflected  further  on  this  matter,  a  few  days  later  they  let 
some  of  the  Brethren  of  the  Committee  (the  Deputies)  know 
that  their  Honors,  through  some  of  their  Committee,  would  once 
more  enter  into  negotiations  with  us  in  this  matter.  They 
wished  to  inquire  what  was  best  to  be  done  for  the  satisfaction 
and  solace  of  the  said  person.  For  long  before  that  resolution 
of  the  Company,  he  was  examined  by  the  Classis  with  the  knowl- 
edge and  approval  of  their  Honors.  Their  request  was  accepted 
by  the  Brethren,     xx.  84,  85. 

John  Comelisz  Backer. 

1642,  Sept.  22nd. 

Appeared  at  the  meeting,  John  Comelisz  Backer.  He  said 
that  he  had  spoken  with  some  of  the  Directors  of  the  West 
India  Company,  and  had  understood  that  their  Honors  had  dis- 
cussed the  question  whether  they  should  remove  their  people 
from  Curacoa  and  abandon  the  island,  or  whether  they  should 
still  keep  it.  In  case  they  should  wish  to  keep  their  people 
there,  then  that  they  would  send  him  thither  as  minister.  He 
requested  that  the  Assembly  would  please  to  assist  him  in  this 
matter  as  much  as  possible.  It  was  now  a  long  time  since  he 
was  examined.  The  Assembly  resolves  to  await  the  action  of 
the  Directors  as  to  the  Island  of  Curacoa,  in  order  to  act  properly. 

At  this  same  time  the  Rev.  Laurentius  and  Swalmius  told  of 
a  conversation  with  some  of  the  Directors,  in  reference  to  said 
John  Cornelius  Backer,  as  is  indicated  on  page  84;  that,  finally, 
the  Directors  presented  him  for  his  solace  and  satisfaction  in 
one  sum,  one  hundred  Ryks-dollars  ($100.)  They  also  promised 
him,  in  addition,  that  in  case  he  should  not  go  as  minister  to 
Curacoa,  they  would  employ  him  in  that  capacity  on  some  other 
good  opportunity,  either  in  Guinea  or  at  Angola,  or  at  some 
other  place,  only  excepting  Brazil.  Thereupon  the  said  John  Cor- 
nelisz  answered  their  Honors  that  he  would  consider  their  offer.. 
The  matter  for  the  present  remains  in  this  condition,    xx.  92. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  163 

1643 

John  Cornelisz  Backer. 

1642,  Oct.  16tli..    ' 

The  Assembly  has  understood  that  the  Directors  of  the  West 
India  Company,  at  their  General  Meeting  of  the  Nineteen,  had 
decided  to  maintain  the  Island  of  Curacoa  and  their  people  on 
it;  that  thereupon  they  had  accepted  John  Cornelisz  Backer' 
to  serve  there  as  minister.  To  this  end  John  Cornelisz  Backer- 
was  ordained  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  to  that  same  service, 
and  his  Instructions  were  given  him  to  take  with  him  upon 
his  intended  voyage,     xx.  94. 

Affairs  of  the  Brethren  in  Zeeland. 

1642,  Oct.  16th. 

There  shall  be  communicated  to  —  "  The  Committee  of  the 
Classis  of  Zeeland*  on  the  ecclesiastical  affairs  in  the  "West 
Indies  "  —  what  our  Classis  has  decided  on,  in  regard  to  the  mat- 
ters which  were  discussed  by  us  and  by  them,  in  reference  to 
the  Acta  of  the  Classis  of  Brazil.  Of  these  mention  is  made  pp. 
80,  89,  and  93.     xx.  96. 

To  write  to  Brazil. 

1642,  Oct.  16th. 

At  this  time  a  letter  shall  also  be  written  to  the  churches 
of  Brazil,  both  in  regard  to  the  observations  on  the  affairs  pre- 
viously related,  in  the  Acts  of  their  Classis;  as  also  concerning 
the  Brazilian  pamphlet  by  Rev.  David  a  Doreslaer,  (?)  and  some 
other  matters;  in  reply  to  their  letters  sent  at  various  times  to 
our  Classis.     xx.  96. 

The  Church  in  the  Fort. 

The  church  erected  by  Director  Van  Twiller,  had,  by  this  time,  shared  the  fate 
common  to  all  the  public  buildings  constructed  during  his  administration,  and  was 
now  in  such  a  state  of  dilapidation,  that  it  was  considered  nothing  better  than  "  a 
mean  barn  ".  The  necessity  of  a  new  church  was  admitted  by  the  Director  and 
council  so  far  back  as  1640;  when,  with  a  view  to  supply  the  funds  requisite  to 

•  There  was  no  Synod  of  Zeeland,  but  only  a  Classis. 


1642 


164  ECCLESTASTTCAL    ReCOT?DS 

defray  the  expenses  of  a  new  building,  a  portion  of  the  fines  imposed  by  the  court 
of  justice  was  appropriated  to  that  purpose.  But  nothing  practical  eventuated 
from  this  arrangement.  The  accommodation  continued  to  be  of  the  most  wretched 
description,  when  Captain  David  De  Vries  urged  the  matter  anew  on  the  consider- 
ation of  the  Director  General.  "  It  was  a  shame,"  he  said,  "  that  the  English 
should  see,  when  they  passed,  nothing  but  a  mean  barn  in  which  public  worship 
was  performed.  The  first  thing  they  did  in  New  England,  when  they  raised  some 
dwellings,  was,  on  the  contrary,  to  build  a  fine  church.  We  ought  to  do  the  same,'" 
he  continued;  "  we  had  good  materials,  fine  oak  wood,  fine  building  stone,  good 
lime  made  from  oyster  shells,  which  was  better  than  the  lime  in  Holland."  This 
reasoning,  backed  by  the  intelligence  that  the  colonists  of  Rensselaerswyck  had  it 
in  contemplation  to  raise  a  church  also,  had  considerable  weight  with  Director 
Kieft.  He  seemed  desirous  to  leave  behind  him  a  monument  to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  his  zeal  for  religion,  and  forthwith  inquired  who  should  superintend  the 
good  work.  There  were  not  wanting  "  friends  of  the  Reformed  Religion."  Joachim 
Pletersen  Kuyter,  "  who  was  a  good  Calvinist,  and  had  a  good  sett  of  hands,"  was 
elected  deacon,  and  with  Jan  Dam,  Captain  De  Vries,  and  Director  Kieft,  "  formed 
the  first  consistory  to  superintend  the  erection  of  the  projected  church." 

These  points  having  been  arranged,  the  next  question  to  be  decided  was.  the  site 
of  the  building.  It  was  ordered  to  be  erected  within  the  fort.  But  this  was  looked 
upon  in  the  light  of  "  a  fifth  wheel  to  a  coach,"  and  excited  considerable  opposition 
among  the  commonalty,  who  represented  that  the  fort  was  already  "  very  small," 
and  that  it  stood  on  the  point,  or  extremity  of  the  island,  whereas  a  more  central 
position  ought  to  be  selected  for  the  accommodation  of  the  faithful  generally.  It 
was,  moreover,  particularly  urged  that  the  erection  of  a  church  within  the  fort, 
would  prevent  the  southeast  wind  reaching  the  grist-mill  which  stood  thereabout, 
and  thus  cause  the  people  to  suffer,  especially  in  summer,  through  want  of  bread.* 

These  objections  were,  however,  overruled.  It  was  with  justice  remarked  that 
the  building  would  be  more  safe  from  the  attacks  of  the  Indians,  within  than  with- 
out the  fort.  As  to  its  being  an  impediment  to  the  working  of  the  wind-mill,  it 
was  remarked  that  the  walls  of  the  fort  then  impeded  the  action  of  the  southeast 
wind  on  the  mill,  and  prevented  its  working  even  before  the  erection  of  the  church.* 

Nought,  therefore,  now  remained  but  to  find  ways  and  means  to  defray  the  neces- 
sary expenses.  Director  Kieft  promised  to  advance  a  few  thousand  guilders  from 
the  public  chest.     The  remainder  was  to  be  raised  by  private  subscription. 

It  happened  about  this  time  that  the  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bogardus  was 
being  married.  This  was  considered  a  favorable  opportunity  for  raising  the  re- 
quired subscription.  So  when  the  wedding  party  was  in  the  height  of  good  humor, 
and  mellow  with  the  host's  good  cheer,  the  Director  General  called  on  the  guests 
to  subscribe.  The  disposition  to  be  generous  was  not  wanting  at  such  a  time.  Each 
guest  emulated  his  neighbor,  and  a  handsome  list  was  made  out.  When  the  morn- 
ing came,  a  few  were  found  desirous  of  reconsidering  the  transactions  of  the  wed- 


*  Men  spraake,  dan,  van  de  plaatse  waerse  staende  soude.  De  Directeur  wilde  en 
oordeelde  datse  in  het  fort  staen  moest,  daerse  oock  tegens  wil  en  dank  van  de 
andere  geset  is;  en  immers  soo  wel  past  als  het  vyffde  wiel  aen  een  wagen;  want 
behalve  dat  het  fort  cleyn  is,  op  een  punct  leyt,  dat  meer  importeren  soude  in 
cas  van  populatie.  De  Kercke  die  de  gemeente,  diese  becostight  hebben,  eygen 
behoort  te  wesen,  soo  breeckse  en  beneemt  den  zuytoosten  wint  aen  de  koren-molen. 
die  daeromtrent  staet;  het  welcke  een  mede  oorsaek  is,  dat  men  des  zomers  dick- 
wils  by  gebreek  van  maalen  sender  broot  is  Van  der  Donk. 

Eer  de  kercke  gebouwt  was,  conde  de  coornraolon  met  een  zuyt  oosten  wint  niet 
malen,  doordieu  de  wint  door  de  wallen  van't  fort  sestut  wiert. —  Van  Tienhoven's 
Answer  to  Van  der  Donck. 


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OF  THE  State  of  N'ew  York.  165 

ding  feast.  But  Director  Kieft  would  allow  no  such  second  thougtit.  They  must 
all  pay  without  exception.* 

He  entered,  as  churchmaster,  into  a  contract,  forthwith,  for  the  mason-work, 
with  John  and  Richard  Ogden,  of  Stamford,  who  engaged  to  build  a  church  of 
rock-stone,  seventy  two  feet  long,  fifty  two  feet  broad,  and  sixteen  feet  over  the 
ground,  in  a  good  and  workmanlike  manner,  for  the  sum  of  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred guilders,  equal  to  one  thousand  dollars.  The  churchmasters  were  to  furnish 
the  lime;  to  transport  the  stone  from  the  river  side  to  the  spot  where  the  building 
was  to  be  erected;  and  to  allow  the  use  of  the  company's  boat  to  the  contractors, 
who  were  to  receive  also  a  douceur  of  one  hundred  guilders,  equal  to  forty  dollars, 
should  the  work  be  finished  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  employers.! 

With  such  energy  now  was  the  work  pushed  forward,  that  the  walls  soon  rose 

to  their  proper  height,  and  the  shingle  roof  soon  followed.     To  commemorate  the 

zeal  both  of  the  Director  General  and  the  commonalty  on  this  occasion,  a  marble 

slab  was  placed  conspicuously  in  front  of  the  building,  with  the  following  inscription 

engraved  thereon: —  ,    ' 

Anno  1642; 

WILLEM  KIEFT,   DIRECTEUR-GENEKAEL; 
"  heeft  de  gemeente  desen  Tempel  doen  bouwen."  § 

1642.  The  old  church  had  now  become  dilapidated;  and  De  Vries,  dining  with 
Kieft,   told  him  it  was  a  shame  that  the  English,   when  they  visited  Manhattan, 

*  De  Directeur  hadde  dan  besloten  een  kerck  te  doen  timmeren,  en  dat  ter  plaetse 
daer  het  hem  goet  docht,  Het  man  queert  hem  aan  de  penningen;  en  waer  die  te 
becomen?  Het  gebeurde  om  desen  tyt,  dat  den  Predikant  Everardus  Bogardus 
eene  vrouwvoordochter  bestede.  Dese  gelegentheyd  oordeelde  de  Directeur  een 
bequame  tyt  tot  zyn  voornemen  te  wesen,  dat  hy,  naer  den  vierden  off  vyffdeu 
dronck  oock  in  't  werck  stelde,  en  hy  selffs  met  een  goet  exempel  voorgaende,  liet 
de  bruy-looffsgasten  teyckenen,  watse  tot  de  kerckgeven  wilde.  Ider,  dan,  met  een 
lichthooffd,  teyckende  ryckelick  wech,  de  een  tegen  de  ander;  en  hoewel  het 
eenige  w'el  beroude,  doen  de  sinnenweder  't  buys  quamen,  sy  moesteu  even  wel 
betalen,  daer  viel  niet  tegen. — Van  der  Donck. 

t  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  contract: — "Appeared  before  me  Cornells  van 
Tienhoven,  secretary  in  behalf  of  the  General  Privileged  West  India  Company,  in 
New  Netherlands,  the  Honorable  Wm.  Kieft,  Churchmaster,  at  the  request  of  his 
brethren,  the  Churchmasters  of  the  Church  in  New  Netherlands,  to  transact,  and 
in  tlieir  name  to  conclude  the  following  business;  So  did  he,  as  Churchmaster,  agree 
with  John  Ogden,  about  a  church  in  the  following  manner: —  John  Ogden  of  Stam- 
ford, and  Richard  Ogden,  engaged  to  build,  in  behalf  of  said  Churchmasters,  a  church 
of  rock-stone,  seventy  two  feet  long,  fifty  feet  broad,  and  sixteen  feet  high,  above  the 
soil,  all  in  good  order,  and  in  workmanlike  manner.  They  shall  be  obliged  to  procure 
the  stone,  and  bring  it  on  shore  near  the  fort  at  their  own  expense,  from  whence 
the  Churchmasters  shall  further  convey  the  stone  to  the  place  where  it  is 
intended  to  build  the  church,  at  their  own  expense.  The  Churchmasters  afore- 
said will  procure  as  much  lime  as  shall  be  required  for  the  building  of  the  afore- 
said church.  John  and  Richard  Ogden  shall  at  their  own  charge  pay  for  the 
masonry,  etc.,  provided,  that  when  the  work  shall  be  finished,  the  Churchmasters 
shall  pay  to  them  the  sum  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  guilders,  which  payment 
shall  be  made  in  beaver,  cash,  or  merchandise,  to  wit: — if  the  Churchmasters  are 
satisfied  with  the  work,  so  that  in  their  judgment  the  two  thousand  five  hundred 
guilders  shall  have  been  earned,  then  the  said  Churchmasters  shall  reward  them 
with  one  hundred  guilders  more;  and  the  further  promise  to  John  and  Richard 
Ogden  to  assist  them  whenever  it  is  in  their  power.  They  further  agree  to  facili- 
tate the  carrying  the  stone  thither,  and  that  John  and  Richard  Ogden  may  use] 
during  a  month  or  six  weeks  the  company's  boat;  engaging  themselves  and  the 
aforesaid  John  and  Richard  Ogden,  to  finish  the  undertaken  work  in  the  manner 
they  contracted.  Done  in  Fort  Amsterdam,  in  New  Netherlands.  (Signed)  Willem 
Kieft,  John  Ogden,  Richard  Ogden,  Gysbert  op  Dyck,  Thimas  Willett."— Alb.  Rec. 
iii.,  31  These  Ogdens  are  the  ancestors  of  the  present  families  of  that  name  in 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  etc. 

§  "Anno  1642,  William  Kieft,  Director-general;  hath  the  Commonalty  caused  this 
Temple  to  be  built." — Van  der  Donck.  Judge  Benson,  writing  in  1817,  says  that 
when  the  fort  was  taken  down  "  a  few  years  since,"  the  marble  slab,  above  alluded 


1643 


1643 


166  EccLESiASTiCxVL  Records 

"  saw  only  a  mean  barn  in  which  we  preached  ".  "  The  first  thing  they  built  in  New 
England  after  their  dwelling  houses,  was  a  fine  church;  we  should  do  the  like", 
urged  De  Vries;  "  we  have  fine  oak  wood,  good  mountain  stone,  and  excellent  lime, 
which  we  burn  from  oyster  shells  —  much  better  than  our  lime  in  Holland".  De 
Vries  immediately  subscribed  one  hundred  guilders.  The  Director  agreed  to  advance 
"  some  thousand  guilders  "  on  the  West  India  Company's  account.  For  security 
against  the  Indians  the  church  was  ordered  to  be  erected  within  the  Fort.  At  the 
wedding  of  Domine  Bogardus'  daughter  about  that  time,  the  Director  secured  lib- 
eral subscriptions.  A  stone  building  was  erected  72x50  feet,  and  16  feet  high,  at  a 
cost  of  twenty  five  hundred  guilders.  The  honor  and  the  ownership  of  the  work 
were  both  commemorated  by  a  square  stone  inserted  in  the  front  wall  bearing  the 
inscription  "A.  D.  1642.  William  Kieft,  Director-General,  hath  the  commonalty 
caused  to  build  this  Temple  ".  When  the  foundation  of  the  Fort  was  dug  away  in 
1790  this  stone  was  found.  It  was  removed  to  the  belfry  of  the  church  in  Garden 
Street,  where  it  remained  till  both  were  destroyed  in  the  great  fire  of  December 
1835.—  Brodhead  i.  335-337.     See  document  under  July  28,  1649. 

The  Jesuits  in  E'ew  York,  1642-3. 

The  Jesuits  commenced  their  labors  in  Canada  a  little  later  than  the  Dutch 
settled  in  New  York.  The  first  Jesuit  Missionary  who  entered  within  the  borders 
of  the  State  of  New  York  was  Father  Isaac  Jogues.  He  was  also  the  first  priest 
who  visited  Manhattan  Island.  He  was  captured  by  the  Mohawks  in  1642  and 
treated  with  great  cruelty.  He  was  beaten  with  clubs  and  stones;  all  his  finger 
nails  pulled  out,  and  the  fore-finger  of  each  hand  gnawed  by  the  savages.  They 
journeyed  five  weeks  to  reach  Central  New  York,  Jogues  and  the  other  prisoners 
being  obliged  to  carry  the  baggage  of  their  persecutors.  Here  Father  Jogues  had 
the  thumb  of  his  right  hand  cut  off  by  an  Indian  woman,  at  her  chieftain's  com- 
mand, although  she  was  a  Christian.  Now  also  Rene  Goupil,  a  lay  brother,  who 
accompanied  Jogues,  was  killed  by  the  blow  of  a  hatchet. 

Father  Jogues  was  at  length  permitted  a  little  more  freedom,  and  he  instructed 
some  Indians  in  the  faith  and  baptized  some  dying  children.  He  afterward  escaped 
to  the  Dutch  at  Fort  Orange,  who  protected  him  against  the  wrath  of  the  Indians, 
and  finally  paid  them  one  hundred  pieces  of  gold  for  his  ransom.  This  was  sub- 
sequently remitted  to  them  from  France.  Domine  Megapolensis  secreted  him  until 
he  went  to  New  Amsterdam.  Gov.  Kieft  kindly  received  him,  and  gave  him  clothes 
and  lodged  him  in  the  Fort.  He  afterward  wrote  a  description  of  New  Nether- 
land.  He  sailed  for  France  and  was  received  with  great  honor.  He  returned  to 
Canada  in  1646,  and  returned  to  Central  New  York  and  was  killed  by  the  Mohawks. 
—  Bayley's  Hist.  Catholic  Church,  13-15. 

Van  Curler's  efforts  to  rescue  Father  Jogues.     Rescue  of  Father  Bressani,  1642-1644. 

Van  Curler's  benevolent  mind  was,  however,  ill  at  ease  in  the  midst  of  these  re- 
joicings. The  Christian  captives  might  be  doomed  to  undergo,  in  a  few  days,  at  the 
•take,  all  the  tortures  which  savage  cruelty  and  ingenuity  combined  could  invent  to 
render  death  more  terrific  and  appalling.     Among  the  prisoners  was  the  mild  and 

to,  was  found,  with  the  Dutch  inscription  on  it,  buried  in  the  earth,  and  then  re- 
moved to  the  belfry  of  the  church  in  Garden  street,  New  York,  belonging  to  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Congregation.  On  the  destruction  of  the  latter  building  by  the 
great  fire  1835,  this  slab  totally  disappeared. 

The  immediate  completion  of  this  church  was,  however,  doomed  to  be  interrupted 
by  the  spirit  of  faction,  and  continued  misunderstanding  with  the  aborigines,  the 
progress  and  ruinous  consequences  of  which  it  becomes  our  duty  now  to  relate. — 
O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  i,  259-263. 


OF  TKE  State  of  New  York.  167 

disinterested  Father  Jogues,  a  learned  Jesuit  missionary  —  "  one  of  the  first  to  carry 
the  cross  into  Michigan,  and  now  the  first  to  bear  it  through  the  villages  of  the 
Mohawks."  Despising  ease,  comfort,  life,  and  every  attachment  which  nature  ren- 
ders dear  to  man,  he  preferred  captivity,  suffering,  and  mutilation,  to  an  abandon- 
ment of  his  tender  converts;  and  now  awaited,  in  resignation  and  prayer,  the  crown 
of  martyrdom  for  which  his  soul  had  so  long  panted. 

To  save  these  unfortunate  men.  Van  Curler  called  together  the  chiefs  of  the  dif- 
ferent Mohawk  castles.  He  recalled  to  their  minds  the  friendship  and  alliance 
which  had  so  long  existed  between  them  —  and  demanded  the  release  of  their 
captives,  offering,  at  the  same  time,  for  their  ransom,  presents  to  the  amount  of 
six  hundred  guilders,  which,  to  their  honor  be  it  recorded,  the  Dutch  settlers  of  the 
colonic,  forgetful  of  all  differences  of  creed,  and  actuated  by  the  holy  impulses 
of  the  Gospel,  had  generously  subsci'ibed  to  purchase  the  freedom  of  their  Christian 
brethren.  The  savages,  however,  were  not  to  be  moved,  either  by  appeals  to  ancient 
friendship,  or  by  the  Dutchmen's  presents.  They  were  willing  to  grant  to  their 
allies  whatever  was  in  their  power,  but  on  the  point  under  discussion  they  would 
remain  silent.  Curler  well  knew  how  the  French  treated  those  who  fell  into  their 
hands.  Had  the  chief  not  been  successful  in  his  attack,  the  Iroquois  would  have 
been  burnt.  For  the  liberation  of  the  French  prisoners  he  could  not  treat.  In  a 
few  months  the  warriors  of  the  several  nations  would  assemble,  and  then  thi 
matter  would  be  finally  disposed  of.  All  Van  Curler  could  effect  was  to  persuade 
the  savages  to  spare  the  lives  of  their  prisoners,  and  to  promise  to  restore  them 
to  their  country.  Escorted  by  a  party  of  ten  or  twelve  armed  Indians,  the  Dutch 
ambassadors  now  returned  to  Beverswyck,  their  minds  filled  with  admiration  of 
the  lovely  country  through  which  they  traveled. 

The  disinterested  missionary  continued  now  to  solace  his  captivity  by  spreading 
the  light  of  Christianity  through  the  benighted  region  into  which  Providence  had 
cast  his  lot.  Though  his  labors  were  most  signally  blest,  and  numbers  of  converts 
were  brought  into  the  fold,  the  hearts  of  the  principal  savages  continued  hardened 
against  him.  In  one  of  his  visits  with  some  Indians  to  Fort  Orange,  he  learned 
that  intelligence  had  been  received  that  the  Mohawks  were  defeated  by  the  French 
at  Fort  Richelieu,  and  that  he,  on  his  return,  would  assuredly  be  burnt.  The 
commander  of  the  fort  counselled  him,  thereupon,  to  escape.  A  vessel  was  about 
to  proceed  to  Virginia.  There  he  would  be  safe.  Father  Jogues  demanded  until 
the  morrow  to  consider  this  proposal,  "  which  greatly  surprised  the  Dutch."  The 
offer  was  finally  accepted,  but  it  was  not  so  easy  to  evade  the  vigilance  of  his 
savage  companions.  Innumerable  diflSculties  followed.  He  at  length  succeeded  in 
secreting  himself  in  the  hold  of  a  sloop  in  the  river,  whose  close  air  and  a  horrid 
stench  made  him  almost  regret  that  he  had  not  remained  among  the  cruel  Iroquois, 
who  now,  enraged  at  the  escape  of  their  victim,  crowded  to  Beverwyck,  and  de- 
manded, with  violent  gestures  and  angry  words,  the  surrender  of  their  prisoner. 
The  Dutch  were  much  embarrassed.  They  could  not  consent  to  deliver  over  a 
Christian  brother  to  the  tortures  and  barbarities  of  the  heathen.  The  States  Gen- 
eral had  sent  out  orders  that  every  means  should  be  used  to  rescue  from  the  sav- 
ages those  Frenchmen  who  might  fall  into  their  power.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
colonic  was  too  feeble  to  make  any  resistance.  In  this  dilemma  the  offer  was 
again  renewed  to  ransom  the  fugitive;  after  considerable  wrangling,  the  Indians 
accepted  this  offer,  and  presents  to  the  amount  of  about  one  hundred  pieces  of  gold 
wiere  accordingly  delivered  them.  Father  Jogues  was  sent  to  New  Amsterdam, 
where  he  was  most  kindly  received  and  clothed  by  Director  Kieft,  who  gave  him  a 
passage  to  Holland  in  a  vessel  which  sailed  shortly  after.  But  misfortune  was  not 
yet  weary  of  persecuting  the  Christian  missionary.  The  vessel  was  driven  in  a 
storm    on    the    coast    of    Falmouth,    where    it    was    seized    by    wreckers,    who,    as 


1642 


1642 


168  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

merciless  as  the  savages,  stripped  Father  Jogues  and  his  companions  of  every 
article  of  their  wearing  apparel,  and  left  them  bruised  and  naked  to  pursue  their 
journey  as  best  they  could. 

In  the  course  of  the  following  year  Father  Bressani,  another  Jesuit  missionary, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Iroquois.  "  Beaten,  mangled,  mutilated;  driven  barefoot 
over  rough  paths,  through  briers  and  thickets;  burnt,  tortured,  wounded,  and 
scarred,  he  was  eye-witness  to  the  fate  of  one  of  his  companions  who  was  boiled 
and  eaten.  Yet  some  mysterious  awe  protected  his  life,  and  he  too  was  at  last 
humanely  rescued  by  the  Dutch,"  who  purchased  his  freedom  at  a  large  sum,  and, 
with  true  Samaritan  kindness,  dressed  his  wounds  and  nursed  him  until  he  was 
perfectly  convalescent,  when  they  supplied  him  with  clothing,  "  of  which  he  stood 
in  much  need,"  and  sent  him  to  the  Manhattans.  Here  he  was  received  in  the 
most  hospitable  manner  by  the  public  authorities,  who  furnished  him,  at  his  de- 
parture for  Europe,  with  the  following  letter  of  safe-conduct: — 

"  We,  Willem  Kieft,  Director-General,  and  the  Council  of  New  Netherland,  to  all 
those  who  shall  see  these  presents,  greeting:  Francis  Joseph  Bressani,  of  the  Society 
of  Jesus,  for  some  time  a  prisoner  among  the  Iroquois  savages,  commonly  called 
Maqnaas.  and  daily  persecuted  by  these,  was,  when  about  to  be  burnt,  snatched 
out  of  their  hands,  and  ransomed  by  us  for  a  large  sum,  after  considerable  difficulty. 
As  he  now  proceeds  with  our  permission  to  Holland,  thence  to  return  to  France, 
Christian  charity  requires  that  he  be  humanely  treated  by  those  into  whose  hands 
he  may  happen  to  fall.  Wherefore  we  request  all  governors,  viceroys,  or  their 
lieutenants  and  captains,  that  they  would  afford  him  their  favor  in  going  and 
returning,  promising  to  do  the  same,  on  like  occasion.  Dated  in  Fort  Amsterdam, 
in  New  Netherland,  this  20th  September,  anno  Salutis,  1644,  Stylo  Novo." 

These  and  many  other  acts  of  similar  kindness  secured  ever  afterwards,  for  both 
the  inhabitants  and  authorities,  as  well  of  Rensselaerswyck  as  of  New  Netherland 
generally,  the  warm  attachment  and  regard  of  the  Jesuit  missionaries,  who  at  the 
risk  of  health  and  life  were  disseminating  the  truths  of  the  Gospel  among  the 
Indian  tribes  in  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  along  the  shores  of  the  great  lakes, 
and  who,  it  may  be  safely  said,  allowed  no  occasion  to  pass  without  giving  expres- 
sion to  their  gratitude  and  respect. —  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol. 
i.  334-337. 

1643,  May  6. 

Inventory  of  the  personal  property  of  the  widow  Bronck  at  Bmaus. 

Among  the  many  items  enumerated  the  following  books  are  mentioned: — One 
Bible,  folio;  Calvin's  Institutes,  folio;  Bullingeri.  (Opera.);  Schultetus  Dominicalia. 
(Medical);  Moleneri  Praxis,  quarto.  (Moral  and  Practical  Discourses);  One  German 
Bible,  quarto;  Mirror  of  the  Sea  (Seespiegel),  folio;  One  Luther's  Psalter;  Sledani, 
folio.  (History  of  Reformation);  Danish  Chronicle,  quarto;  Danish  Law-Book, 
quarto;  Luther's  Complete  Catechism;  The  Praise  of  Christ,  quarto;  The  Four  Ends 
of  Death;  Petri  Apiani;  Danish  Child's  Book;  Forty  Pictures  of  Death,  by  Symou 
Golaert;  Biblical  Stories;  Danish  Calendar;  Eighteen  Dutch  and  Danish  Pamphlets; 
Seventeen  Books  in  Manuscript;  Eleven  Pictures,  large  and  small. 

This  Inventory  was  made  in  the  presence  of  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  XIV.  42,  43. 

Van  Curler's  Letter  to  the  Patroon. 
Laus    Deo.     At  the  Manhattans,  this  16th  June,  1643. 


What  the  Lord,  my  master,  commands  me  to  receive  in  good  regard  the  counsel 
of  Domine  Megapolensis;  and  therein  to  follow  his  Reverence's  advice  —  I  have 
never  failed  so  to  do,   but  have  always  communicated  to  him  whatever  occurred 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  160 

bere,  to  have  his  opinion  thereupon  ere  I  concluded  to  undertake  anything,  and 
have  always  thankfully  received  his  Reverence's  counsel.  Further,  I  shall  use  my 
utmost  diligence  to  collect  the  rest  and  to  post  all  the  debits  and  credits,  (schuldeu 
en  wederschulden,)  Beavers  and  Seawan.  I  shall  then,  without  fall,  send  you  all 
by  the  next  opportunity.  As  to  what  appertains  to  the  duffels,  I  have,  In  all  I 
received,  not  perceived  any  damage  worth  mentioning,  but  got  them  in  good  con- 
dition. 


1643 


As  for  the  Church,  it  is  not  yet  contracted  for,  nor  even  begun.  I  had  written 
last  year  to  your  Honor,  that  I  had  a  building  almost  ready,  namely,  the  covenanted 
work,  which  would  have  been  for  Domine  Megapolensis;  and  this  house  was  not 
agreeable  to  the  taste  of  Domine  Johannes;  in  other  respects  it  was  altogether 
suitable  for  him,  so  that  I  have  laid  it  aside.  That  which  I  intend  to  build  this 
summer  in  the  pine  grove,  (In  het  Greynen  Bosch,)  will  be  thirty  four  feet  long  by 
nineteen  feet  wide.  It  will  be  large  enough,  for  the  first  three  or  four  years,  to 
preach  in,  and  can  afterwards  always  serve  for  the  residence  of  the  sexton,  or  for  a 
school.  I  hope  your  Honor  will  not  take  this  ill,  as  It  happened  through  good  in- 
tention.—  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol  i.  456,  457,  459. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Churches  in  England. 

1643,  July  27th. 

In  aid  of  the  suffering  churches  in  England,  the  following 
measures  are  found  good  and  necessary: 

1.  Earnestly  and  fervently  to  pray  for  the  same  in  public  and 
private. 

2.  To  urge  upon  their  High  and  Great  Mightinesses  (i.  e.  the 
States-General  and  the  several  Provincial  States,  separately,) 
days  of  public  fasting  and  prayer. 

3.  Also  to  beseech  the  same  to  contribute  all  that  is  within 
their  power  for  the  advocacy  and  preservation  of  the  Holy  Gos- 
pel in  all  verity,     iv.  294. 

Already  Xew  England  had  begun  to  desire  that  these  exiles 

in  England  and  Ireland  should  be  sent  to  America,  as  appears 

from  the  following: 

1643,  Feb.  10,  K  S. 

Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Xew  England  to  the  House  of 

Commons,  for  a  Collection. 

They  ask  for  a  collection  in  the  parishes  in  and  about  London, 
for  two  Lords  days,  for  the  transporting  of  poor  children  driven 


1643 


170  Ecclesiastical  Records 

out  of  Ireland,  and  other  orphans  in  England.     The  request  was 
granted. 

The  Mayor  of  London  arranged  for  these  collections  to  pay 
the  transportation  of  boys  and  girls  to  ^ew  England.  Argu- 
ments and  recommendations  are  presented. 

Documents  2704,  2705,  2706,  in  Archives  of  London  Dutch 
church;  pages  1907-8. 

NOTE  ON  HUGH  PETERS,  1643. 

It  was  in  this  year  that  Rev.  Hugh  Peters  visited  Holland.  —  He  was  born  of  an 
old  English  family  in  1599,  and  graduated  at  Cambridge,  1622.  He  was  ordained 
by  Dr.  Mountain,  Bishop  of  London,  but  on  account  of  his  opposition  to  the  Bishops, 
retired  to  Holland,  and  officiated  in  the  English  congregation  at  Rotterdam.  In 
1643  he  went  to  New  England,  and  was  elected  minister  at  Salem,  and  officiated  also 
in  Boston.  In  1641  he  was  sent  by  the  colonies  to  England,  on  official  business 
with  Parliament,  in  reference  to  the  boundary  between  New  England  and  New 
Netherland.  He  found  the  civil  war  raging  in  England  and  joined  the  Parliamen- 
tarians. In  1643  he  again  visited  Holland,  and  preached  so  violently  against  Charles 
I.  that  the  English  Ambassador  complained  of  him  to  the  States-General.  He  gave 
a  series  of  discourses  in  the  English  Congregation  in  Amsterdam,  accusing  Charles 
of  exciting  the  Catholics  of  Ireland  against  Cromwell,  so  that  women  gave  their 
wedding  rings  to  supply  the  English  under  Cromwell  with  funds.  The  Dutch  were 
not  opposed  to  his  actions.  Peters  subsequently  became  chaplain  to  Cromwell,  and 
is  said  to  have  thanked  God  for  the  Drogheda  massacre.  After  the  restoration 
Peters  was  accused  as  one  of  the  regicides,  and  he  was  put  to  death  in  1660. —  See 
Bancroft's  U.  S.  ii.  32. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

(Brazil.) 

[Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  was  from  1635-1654  in  Brazil.] 
I  }  July  31,  1643. 

From  the  Acta  of  the  Coetus  j^reparatorii  ad  Synodum,  held  in 
Brazil,  at  Becyst,  iSTovember  12,  1642. 

There  appeared  also  at  this  session  one  of  the  Councillors  of 
India,  being  deputed  thereto. 

Art.   10. 

Complaint  is  made,  that  there  have  not  been  sent  to  them  the 
Acta  of  the  Synod  of  IN'orth  Holland,  since  the  year  1637.  They 
also  promise  that  they  will  make  an  effort  to  send  theirs. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  lYl 

1648 

Art.  13. 

The  payment  of  the  ministers  has  been  remedied.  Hereto- 
fore their  sah^ries  were  taken  from  the  wages  of  soldiers  and 
sailors. 

Art.   16. 

In  the  case  of  the  Jews,  nothing  else  has  been  done,  except 
only  that  blaspheming  has  been  forbidden.  A  rule  has  also  been 
established  that  their  men  servants  and  maid  servants  may  not 
be  Christians.  And  the  Popish  (services?)  ought  to  be  limited 
within  their  churches. 

Art.   20. 

It  is  requested  that  six  or  seven  more  ministers  may  be  sent  ta 
them. 

Art.   41. 

The  ministers  have  been  denied  their  housing;  or  these  have- 
been  taken  by  the  Company. 

Art.  47. 

Rev.  de  Yarix  is  judged  unfitted  to  serve  any  churches  in 
Brazil,  as  it  is  declared  that  he  has  never  produced  any  edification. 

Art.  69. 

How  those  shall  be  regarded  who  were  baptized  by  Siecken- 
Troosters,  and  by  others  who  are  not  ministers,  and  whether 
these  must  be  rebaptized;  the  advice  of  the  Synod  of  !N'orth  Hol- 
land is  asked  on  this  subject. 

Art.  29. 

Lack  of  Siecken-Troosters,  Schoolmasters  and  large  Bibles 
is  referred  to. 

Art.   80. 

Bev.  Oosterdach,  who  came  out  from  South  Holland,  is  dis- 
charged from  his  service. 


1643 


172  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Art.   89. 

A  resolution  is  referred  to  about  bringing  the  judicature 
(trial?)  of  church  matters  to  the  civil  (power?);  but  it  is  under- 
stood that  this  must  not  be  done.  The  Hon.  Directors  shall 
be  remonstrated  with  on  this  subject. 

Art.  90. 

It  was  resolved,  that  the  representatives  of  the  civil  power  (lit. 
the  Politicals)  shall  not  be  permitted  to  appear  in  Classes  and 
Consistories;  but  only  at  Synods.  The  cutting  off  of  corre- 
spondence is  sought  by  the  Politicals,  but  the  Synod  shows  its 
inclination  for  such  correspondence. 

Art.  12,  in  the  order  of  Synod. 

Mention  is  made  of  the  writing  and  sending  of  the  Synodical 
Acta,  to  Classes  and  Churches;  but  nothing  is  said  of  the 
Fatherland. 

Acta  of  the  Synod  of  Brazil  held  February  29,  1643. 

Art.  47. 

Rev.  Doornich  is  dismissed  from  his  charge  in  Pariba,  and 
declared  unable  (physically)  to  do  any  more  service  in  churches 
of  the  'West  Indies;  on  that  account  he  shall  be  sent  back  to  his 
congregation  in  the  Fatherland. 

!N'o  ^'  Censura  Morum  "  was  held. 

.  Letter  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Mauristad,  (in  Brazil?)  March  24, 

1643. 

They  are  surprised  about  our  poor  reformations,  and  that  we 
should  not  have  accepted  these,  against  them  (?) 

They  refer  themselves  to  the  first  Art ,  on  the 

subject  of  the  sitting  of  Civilians  in  Church  Assemblies. 


OF  THE  State  of  [N'ew  Yoek.  1T3 

21643 

Tkey  complain  of  the  harshness  of  the  censures  of  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam. 

They  declare  themselves  to  be  a  Reformed  Church. 
They  accuse  us  of  Cayture  (?) 

Letter  from  Francis  Plante,  in  the  I^ame  of  their  last  General 

Assembly. 

They  say  that  they  have  need  of  more  Siecken-Troosters. 
That  we  should  take  heed  to  have  only  capable  Schoolmasters. 
That  they  are  still  awaiting  the  Bibles. 
Excuse  is  made  for  the  pamphlet  of  Doom.     xx.  114-116. 

Synod  of  E^okth  Hollais^d,  at  Edam. 

1643,  Aug.  11    et  seq. 

Art.  3.     Request  of  the  Revs.  Deputati  Synodi. 

The  Rev.  Deputati  of  our  Synod  requested  that  their  fellow 
Deputies,  v/ho  are  with  them  entrusted  with  the  business  of 
'^  Preachers  practicing  medicine  "  might  be  written  to  for  Thurs- 
day, so  that  they  might  be  able  to  render  a  proper  report  on 
what  has  been  done  on  this  subject.  It  was  resolved  to  summon 
the  said  fellow  Deputies  ad  causam  for  the  time  stated,  and  to 
write  to  those  outside  of  this  city. 

Art.  27.    East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

Under  Art.  34,  (1642),  of  East  and  West  India  Affairs,  the 
Rev.  Deputati  Correspondents  are  recommended  to  do  their  best 
in  their  own  (Synods),  that  the  Articles  proposed  and  agreed  to,, 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  several  Synods,  may  be  accepted 
by  their  (Synods). 

On  this  same  occasion  it  was  also  ascertained,  that  the  Rev. 
Synod  of  South  Holland  had  resolved  to  instruct  their  delegates 
to  the  corresponding  Synods,  to  try  to  induce  the  objecting 
provinces  to  accept  of  the  Articles  which  have  been  put  into 
practice  and  approved  by  the  respective  Synods. 


174  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1634 

It  is  found,  advisable  this  same  week  to  have  an  interview 
-with  (to  go  to)  those  of  South  Holland,  in  order  to  arrive  at  the 
•desired  agreement;  also  that  our  Deputati  ad  correspondentiam 
1)6  furnished  with  reasons. 

And,  in  accordance  with  the  first  proposition,  it  was  asked 
in  reference  to  these  Articles  agreed  on,  whether  the  several 
■churches  or  Classes  mthin  whose  bounds  are  located  the  Cham- 
bers of  the  Companies,  ought  not  to  inform  this  present  Synod 
as  to  the  condition  of  the  churches  in  the  East  and  West  Indies, 
by  way  of  report,  (tot  opening).  The  Rev.  Brethren  of  Enck- 
buysen  declared  that  in  this  business  nothing  had  occurred  in 
particular.  The  Brethren  of  Hoorn  said  likemse.  But  the 
Rev.  Brethren  of  Amsterdam  exhibited  many  and  various  papers 
touching  the  state  of  the  East  and  West  India  Churches.  Also 
the  aforesaid  Rev.  Brethren  of  Amsterdam,  read  an  extract 
about  East  and  West  India  Affairs.  It  was  resolved,  that  the 
respective  Classes  within  whose  bounds  are  located  Chambers 
(of  the  Companies)  shall  remain  enjoined  henceforth,  in  this 
same  manner,  to  make  a  report  to  Rev.  Svmod,  in  conformity 
with  those  words  of  the  project  of  the  34th  Article,  (1642); 
and  that  such  reports  shall  be  inserted  under  the  extracts  of 
Synod. 

Art.  30.     Exiles  from  Ireland. 

A  letter  was  read  from  two  ministers  who  had  been  driven 
-out  of  Ireland,  William  Davidzoon,  and  Alexander  Junius, 
wherein  was  represented  their  distressed  and  precarious  condi- 
tion. They  requested  therewith,  in  an  enclosed  paper,  that  some 
subsidium  might  be  granted  them  in  their  very  pressing  need. 
It  was  resolved  that  thev  be  STanted,  in  conformitv  vdth  the  ac- 
tion  of  the  Synod  of  South  Holland,  a  proper  amount,  (sum- 
metie,  sommetje?)  mth  the  announcement  that  they  must  hold 
themselves  contented  therewith,  and  not  annov  our  churches 
individually. 


■  OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  175 

1643 

Art.  54.     Churches  of  England. 

II.  That  this  YENEKANDA  SYNODUS,  according  to  the 
duty  enjoined  by  "  The  Communion  of  the  Saints  ",  and  after 
the  example  of  the  churches  of  Zeeland,  South  Holland,  and 
Switzerland,  would  be  pleased  to  consider,  and  look  about,  for 
ecclesiastical  methods,  to  aid  and  solace,  in  an  ecclesiastical  man- 
ner, the  churches  in  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland.  These  are 
at  present  in  the  utmost  need  and  peril.  The  same  also  form- 
erly, when  our  churches  of  the  Fatherland  were  in  need  and  af- 
fliction,  interested   themselves  faithfully   in   them. 

Answer :  The  YEISTEEAJSTDA  SYIs^ODUS  —  having  learned 
the  application  to  their  ISToble  Great  Mightinesses,  (the  Pro- 
vincial States),  made  through  the  Estimable,  the  Messrs.;  the 
Commissioners,  (the  civil  magistrates  in  Synod);  and  that  their 
Estimables  would  manage  the  business  of  the  churches  in  Eng- 
land, Scotland  (and  Ireland)  in  such  a  way  that  the  same  would 
be  left  in  statu,  even  as  it  is  now, —  declared  its  good  mshes, 
and  inclinations  to  aid  and  solace  the  said  churches  in  an  ecclesi- 
astical manner,  and  by  ecclesiastical  methods.  They  therefore 
requested  that  their  Estimables  would  make  these  things  known 
to  their  Noble  Great  Mightinesses,  and  the  decision  of  their 
I^Toble   Great  Mightinesses  shall  be   awaited. 

Art.   57.    Individual  Question  by  Amsterdam. 
1 

2.  Baptism  by  Ziekentroosters. 

What  shall  be  held  regarding  the  baptism  administered  by 
Ziekentroosters?  Among  these  are  some  who  are  authorized  to 
baptize  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam;  and  there  are  (baptisms) 
l)y  others,  who  are  not  ministers; — whether  these  are  to  be 
rebaptized? 

Answer:  This  matter  was  referred  to  the  several  Classes^ 
When  these  have  been  heard  from,  a  S^modical  advice  will  be 
drawn  up. 


1643 


176  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1643.     Extracts  from  Acts  of  the  Corresponding  Synods. 

Art.  17.     The  (Synod)  of  Gelderland,  1642. 

Regarding  the  general  direction  of  the  East  and  West  India 
churches,  the  Rev.  Synod  (of  Gelderland)  understands  that  this 
business  shall  be  placed,  generally,  under  the  Synods  of  all  the 
Provinces;  and  so  far  as  this  could  not  be  brought  about,  the 
Deputati  Synodi  shall  address  themselves  to  the  ]^oble  Court^ 
(Hof  —  Legislature),  of  Gelderland  to  issue  letters  to  their  rep- 
resentatives at  The  Hague,  in  the  States  General,  so  that  this 
point  may  be  taken  notice  of,  in  the  petition  for  the  prolonga- 
tion of  the  Charters  of  the  said  Companies. 

Extracts  from  the  Synod  of  South  Holland,  at  Brielle,  1643. 

The  plan  for  the  care  of  the  East  and  West  India  Churches 
shall  be  made  palatable  to  the  objecting  provinces  by  acquiesc- 
ing therein  for  the  present,  (in  als  een  interim),  until  another 
arrangement  can  be  made  at  a  general  Coetus.  The  Remon- 
strance of  both  Synods,  with  the  prodromus  (?)  has  been  handed 
over,  and  their  ISToble  Great  Mightinesses  have  placed  the  same 
in  the  hands  of  the  IS  oble  Court  to  serve  it  by  way  of  advice. 


Upon  the  proposal  of  the  Rev.  Brethren  from  Zeeland  regard- 
ing the  distressed  state  of  the  churches  in  England  (Scotland) 
and  Ireland,  their  High  Mightinesses  (the  States  General)  re- 
solved, that  the  respective  Synods  shall  be  given  a  copy  of  the 
intercession  by  the  States  of  Zeeland,  as  also  of  the  creditive  of 
the  delegates,  and  of  the  plans  as  proposed,  so  that  these  may 
be  more  fully  communicated  to  their  respective  bodies. 

To  the  West  India  Churches  shall  be  communicated  in  writ- 
ing the  displeasure  at  the  printed  booklets;  and  that  they  do  not 
possess  such  Synodical  liberty  as  they  imagine  they  do , 

As  yet  the  decision,  (arrest)  on  the  regulation  (Constitution) 
regarding  the  English  preachers,  shall  not  be  requested;  but  where 


OF  THE  State  of  IsTew  York.  177 

they  are,  and  have  independent  (gesloten,  closed)  Consistories  and 
laAvful  calls,  the  Classes  are  permitted  to  ask  them  to  come  under 
their  jurisdiction. 


England  and  Ireland  shall  be  frequently  prayed  for,  and  also 
be  placed  in  the  petition  for  days-of -prayer,  in  genere  "  Oppressed 
Churches  ",  if  theNorth  Holland  Synod  doth  also  so  resolve ;  and 
the  resolution  of  their  ISToble  Great  Mightinesses  (the  Provincial 
States)  does  not  militate  against  this  petition,  (which  shall  first  be 
awaited.) 

Extracts  Ex  actis  Synodi  of  Utrecht,  held  Anno  1642. 


Rev.   Keselius  sent  to  the  Synod  the   Ecclesiastical  Acta  of 
Brazil,  of  the  year  1636  to  1641,  inclusive. 

Extracts  Ex  actis  Synodi  of  Friesland  held  at  Bolswart,  1643. 


The  plan  regarding  the  care    of   the   East    and    West   India 
Churches    w^as    communicated    to    Synod,    and   placed   in   Actis 


Extracts  Ex  actis  Synodi  of  Overyssel,  held  at  Deventer,  1643. 


The  short  Catechism  of  the  Synod  of  Zeeland  shall  not  be  in- 
troduced for  the  youth  in  the  schools;  but  besides  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism,  only  the  small  Catechism  at  the  back  of  the  Psalm 
Book,  shall  be  used. 

Acts  of  the  Ceassis  of  Amsterdam. 

Letter  from  London. 

1643,  August  31st. 

Finally,  there  was  read  the  letter  which  had  been  received  from 

many  Reformed  ministers  in  London,  in  behalf  of  the  distressed 

churches  in  Ireland,  where  more  than  150,000  have  been  mur- 

12 


1643 


1643 


178  Ecclesiastical  Records 

dered,  driven  away,  or  have  otherwise  perished  in  some  miserable 
manner,  while  those  who  are  left  still  run  the  risk  of  perishing 
from  hunger  and  want.  It  is,  therefore,  requested,  by  said  minis- 
ters, of  the  minister  of  the  English  (Presbyterian)  Church,^'"  in  this 
city  (of  Amsterdam,)  to  make  a  statement  of  this  distress  to  all 
the  N^etherland  churches,  that  they  come  to  their  aid  with  all 
possible  means.  It  was  resolved  to  come  to  the  assistance  of 
these  churches  as  quickly  as  possible,  with  collections,  as  has  been 
done  in  the  case  of  other  suffering  churches,  and  to  inform  the 
Rev.  Synod  (of  ISTorth  Holland)  of  this  need,  and  of  our  resolu- 
tion  thereon,  together  with  the  communication  of  the  letter,  al- 
though with  all  prudence,     iv.  295. 

Alms  for  the  Irish  Churches. 

1643,  Sept.  7th. 

Three  letters  were  presented  which  had  come  from  England. 
One,  from  the  committee  of  Parliament,  on  Irish  affairs ;  one  from 
the  Consensus  Theologus  at  London;  and  one  from  Rev.  Dr. 
Frisissus  (?).  These  give  the  information  that  Irish  Papists,  or 
rebels  in  Ireland,  within  four  months  have  mutilated  and  mur- 
dered 154,000  of  our  brethren  in  the  faith,  and  are  seeking  to 
wipe  out  the  remainder,  not  only  there,  but  throughout  the  whole 
AYorld.  Wherefore  they  request  and  beseech  that  the  churches 
of  these  provinces,  in  accordance  with  their  customary  compas- 
sion and  liberality  towards  others,  would  be  pleased  also  to  be- 
stow their  Christian  alms,  in  this  direction,  for  the  preservation 
of  the  brethren  in  the  faith  in  Ireland.  This  was  sympathetically 
acceded  to  by  the  Rev.  Classis.  It  was  unanimously  resolved, 
that  the  officers  of  each  (church)  shall  do  their  utmost  to  collect 
the  greatest  amount  of  alms  possible.     In  order  to  transmit  this 

*  This  was  Rev,  Theodore  Paget  [Latinized  into  Pagetus,]  who  settled  over  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Amsterdam,  on  the  Begyn-Hof,  in  1639.  In  1646  he  removed 
to  another  field.  His  name  frequently  occurs  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Classis  of- 
Amsterdam. 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  179 

money  safely,  it  shall  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  comr 
mittee  on  this  business  in  London,  through  the  Eev.  Professor 
Wittenwrongel,  Eev.  Matthew  Meursius  and  Isaac  Van  Beeck, 
the  deputies  of  the  Classis  on  this  matter.  But  all  this  shall  be 
done  under  these  special  securities  and  conditions: 

1.  That  what  is  donated  shall  be  given  purely  as  Christian  alms 
for  the  suffering  fellows-in-the-faith,  in  Ireland. 

2.  That  there  shall  be  obtained  from  them  a  particular  receipt 
and  acknowledgment,  upon  the  delivery  of  the  moneys,  wherein 
the  recipients  shall  make  it  clear,  that  these  donations,  for  suf- 
ferers in  Ireland,  have  been  duly  received,  under  the  conditions 
aforesaid. 

Hereupon  there  appeared  two  representatives  of  the  above 
mentioned  Committee  of  Parliament,  viz..  Sir  Adam  Lawrence, 
and  Maurice  Thompson,  who  confirmed  by  word  of  mouth  what 
is  related  above,  and  requested  a  liberal  alms,  if  possible,  in  aid 
of  the  churches  in  Ireland.  The  sympathetic  resolution  of  the 
Classis  was  then  made  known  to  them,  for  which,  friendly  (thanks 

were  offered)  by  them,  and  they  took    their   leave 

The  Acta  adopted  by  the  Provincial  Synod  (of  I^orth  Holland) 
vrere  read,  and  whatsoever  concerned  this  Classis  was  observed, 
and  noted  for  further  discussion  at  the  next  Classis.     iv.  297-8. 

Collection  for  England. 

(1643,)  :N'ov.  13,  10. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  there  has  been  ordered  by  their  noble 
Great  Mightinesses,  (the  Provincial  States,)  a  public  collection 
for  the  distressed  members  of  Christ  in  Ireland,  in  the  churches 
of  this  province,  and  the  need  of  the  same  is  great;  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Wittenwrongel  proposes,  whether  it  would  not  be  well  that  this 
work  of  love  were  pushed  as  rapidly  as  possible  in  the  respective 
churches  of  this  Classis,  and  the  moneys  handed  to  Isaac  van 
Beeck,  elder  in  Amsterdam.  It  was  learned  that  this  had  already 
been   diligently   done,   and  liberally  by  several  churches.      The 


1643 


1643 


180  Ecclesiastical  Eecoeds 

others  were  exhorted  to  hasten  the  work  as  rapidly  as  possible. 
Revs.  Meursiiis  and  Wittenwrongel,  who  had  been  appointed  bj 
Classis  to  keep  account  of  the  moneys  and  deliver  the  same,  were 
urged  to  secure  the  distribution  of  the  same,  as  soon  as  possible^ 
for  the  assistance  and  relief  of  those  distressed  (church)  mem- 
bers,   iv.  300. 

Letters  from  the  Synod  of  London. 

1644,  April  4th. 

Rev.  Wackendorssius,  as  deputy  from  this  Synod,  hands  in  a 
certain  letter  from  the  Synod  of  London,  addressed  to  the  Classis 
of  E'orth  Holland.  Therein,  after  a  vivid  recital  of  the  sad  state 
of  the  church  of  God  in  that  land,  two  things  are  requested  of  the 
churches  of  this  Synod:  First,  the  Christian  prayers,  of  these 
(Dutch)  churches,  are  earnestly  besought  in  their  behalf,  in  their 
sad  state ;  Secondly,  as  might  be  determined  on  by  the  church  here 
(in  Holland). 

The  Covenant  between  England  and  Scotland  was  also  read. 
Thereupon,  it  was  resolved  to  send  this  letter,  after  it  has  been 
recorded  by  the  clerk  for  the  use  of  the  Classis,  to  the  other  Classes,, 
and  to  propose  that  each  Classis  would  appoint  two  (of  its  mem- 
bers) to  consult  with  the  regular  deputies  as  to  the  character  of 
the  reply  (to  be  sent  to  London).  Also  the  regular  Deputies  were 
requested  to  inform  the  Rev.  Body  (the  Synod  of  London)  as  soon 
as  possible,  of  the  receipt  of  their  letter,  and  to  promise  them  all 
good  will.  This  Classis  provisionally  nominated  the  Rev.  Presi- 
dent and  Rev.  Wittenwrongel,  to  treat  with  the  Deputies  of  the 
other  Classes  as  to  the  full  response  to  the  aforesaid  letter,     iv.. 

303. 

Collection  for  Ireland. 

1644,  April  4th. 

The  Acts  of    the  Classis  of    October  5th  last,  (September  7^ 

?  1643),  and  specially  those  items  which  refer  to  the  collections 

of  this  Classis,  for  the  distressed  members  of  Christ  in  Ireland^, 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  181 

1644 

were  read  over  again.  Kev.  Wittenwrongel  and  Meursius  gave 
the  information  that  most  of  the  churches  had  done  their  share  in 
this  business,  and  the  few  others  will  yet  do  the  same.  The  said 
Brethren  promised  to  bring  in  a  complete  account  thereof  as  soon 
as  possible.  Also  on  motion  of  Thomas  Cave,  elder  in  the  English 
(Presbyterian)  church  here  (at  Amsterdam,)  it  was  resolved  that 
the  moneys  in  this  Classis  be  expended  here,  in  this  land  (Hol- 
land) for  victuals  and  other  necessities,     iv.  304. 

(The  English  and  Scotch  churches  in  Holland  were  members 
of  the  Dutch  Classis.    Food  was  also  cheaper  in  Holland.) 

Lubbert  Dincklagen. 

1644,   April  4th. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Lubbert  van  Dincklagen,  making  re- 
quests that  complaints  which  might  be  renewedly  made  against 
him,  should  be  made  known  to  him,  that  he  might  answer  them. 
Also  that  Kev.  Bogardus  be  summoned  hither.  It  was  resolved 
to  await  the  arrival  of  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus,  and  then  to  sum- 
mon Lubbert  van  Dincklagen.  The  clerk  will  inform  him  of  this 
action,     iv.  304;  xxxix.  120. 

Letters  from  the  Synod  of  London. 

1644,  May  2nd. 

In  reference  to  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Synod  of  London,  it  was 
reported  that  the  same  had  been  copied  by  the  clerk  for  the  use 
of  this  Classis.  Rev.  Wackendorssius  also  sent  a  copy  of  the  same 
to  the  other  Classes  of  this  Synod,  but  has,  as  yet,  received  no  an- 
swer. And  inasjiiuch  as  no  reply,  in  acknowledgment  of  the  re- 
ceipt of  this  letter  has  yet  been  sent  to  that  same  Rev.  Body  (the 
Synod  of  London) ,  it  was  resolved  that  the  Rev.  Deputy  Wacken- 
dorssius shall  again  communicate  with  Rev.  Deputy  Puppius,  to 
send  the  receipts  (recepisse,  acknowledgments)  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble. If  any  objection  be  raised  by  him,  such  acknowledgment  shall 
be  made  by  Rev.  Wackendorssius,  and  the  two  brethren  of  this 


1644 


182  .  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Classis  heretofore  charged  with  the  full  reply,  as  soon  as  possible^ 
and  in  nomine  liujiis  Classis.     iv.  305. 

Collection  for  Ireland. 

1644,  May  2nd. 

In  reference  to  the  collections  for  Ireland,  the  accounts  of  Kevs, 
Wittenwrongel  and  Meursius  have  been  brought  in.  What  each 
church  had  contributed,  was  read,  amounting  altogether  to  the 
sum  of  floi-ins  22,451f  ($8,980.50  cts.)  Everything  was  per- 
fectly exhibited  m  writing.  The  two  brethren  of  the  committee, 
as  well  as  Mr.  Isaac  van  Beeck,  were  thanked  for  their  trouble^ 
They  remained  charged  with  the  duty  of  procuring  a  receipt  from 
the  parties  in  Ireland,     iv.  305. 

Catalogue  of  the  Classis. 

1644,  May  2nd. 

The  clerk  inquires  whether  the  catalogue  made  up  by  order  of 
Classis,  should  not  be  recorded,  (literally,  placed  in  the  book;) 
also,  whether  any  one  should  be  put  down  as  not  in  his  proper 
location.  Reply  was  made  that  it  should  be  recorded,  even  as  it 
was  read.     iv.  307. 

(There  are  no  lists  of  ministers  and  churches  in  the  Minutes  of 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam;  but  such  lists  came  to  be  written  on 
the  fly  leaves  of  the  successive  volumes.  These  were  amended  from 
time  to  time,  /is  changes  took  place,  but  dates  were  not  always 
added.  The  erusures  and  additions  made  these  lists  often  very 
difficult  to  read.  A  few  of  these  in  the  earlier  volumes  were 
copied,  but  there  are  no  allusions  to  America.) 

Dincklagen. 

1644,  May  2nd. 

The  letter  of  Lubbert  van  Dincklagen  has  been  answered  by  the 
clerk,     iv.'  307. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  18'^> 

1644 

Reply  to  the  Letter  of  the  London  Synod. 

1644,  June  13th. 

In  regard  to  the  reply  to  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Wackendorssius 
reports,  that  he  had  written  to  the  Rev.  Puppius  to  send  a  receipt 
(acknowledgment)  to  the  said  Rev.  Synod  but  that  Rev.  Puppius 
still  objected.  It  was  resolved  that  the  said  acknowledgment, 
(recepisse,)  in  accordance  with  the  preceding  resolution,  should 
be  drawn  up  by  the  brethren  designated,  so  that  our  sympathy 
with  their  sad  condition  may  be  made  known  to  them;  also  that 
the  arrival  of  the  Rev.  Puppius  shall  yet  be  awaited  to-day.  The 
draft  of  the  acknowledgment,  meantime  having  been  composed, 
may  be  examined  by  the  Classis.  Rev.  Timos  shall  fill  the  place 
of  Rev.  Anthonides.     iv.  309. 

Reply  to  the  Letter  of  the  London  Synod. 

1644,  June  13th. 

The  brethren  deputed  to  draw  up  a  reply  (recepisse)  to  the  letter 
of  the  Rev.  Synod  of  London,  read  a  written  Latin  reply  composed 
by  them,  which  pleased  the  Classis.  It  wa&  resolved  to  forward 
the  same  as  soon  as  possible  to  the  same  Rev.  Synod,  in  the  name 
of  this  Classis.     iv.  311. 

Letter  to  London  Synod. 

1644,  July  lYth. 

Rev.  Wittenwrongel  handed  in  a  copy  of  the  letter,  which  was 
written  and  sent,  in  the  name  of  this  Classis  to  the  Rev.  Synod 
of  London.  It  was  resolved  to  preserve  this  in  the  Classical  chest 
(keep  on  file.)      iv.   314. 

Synod  of  I^orth  Holland,  at  Alckmaer. 

1644,  Aug.  16  et  seq. 

Art.  28.  East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

Regarding  Article  27,  relating  to  the  East  and  West  India 
Affairs;  it  has  been  ascertained  that  the  Synods  of  Gelderland, 
Utrecht  and  Overyssel  were  not  yet  fully  contented.     It  was  re- 


184  Ecclesiastical  Records 

solved  that,  in  conformity  with  the  action  of  South  Holland,  we 
shall  continue,  as  before,  to  make  the  Plan,  provisionally,  pala- 
table, through  the  Deputies  of  Synod  ad  Correspondentias.  It 
was  then  asked,  in  turn,  whether  the  Classes,  where  there  are 
Chambers,  had  anything  to  communicate  to  the  Synod.  It  was 
ascertained  that  nothing  had  been  received,  because  no  ships  had 
arrived.  The  Classes  of  Amsterdam  and  Enkhuysen  reported  the 
names  of  those  who  had  been  sent  out  as  preachers  and  sieken- 
troosters  to  the  East  Indies. —  These  had  been  sent  out  by.  Amster- 
dam: 

Eev.  Goergius  Candidius,  to  Tajoucken,  )  . 

Eev.  John  a  Briel,  to  Batavia,  \ 

As  Zieckentroosters,  the  following:  \ 

Lawrence  Zacharias. 

Cornelius  Willemsen. 

Paul  Jansen. 

Alexander  Abrams. 

Dirck  Vermeule. 

Revnier  Adriaensen. 

Jacob  Claessen  Schoenmaker. 

And  as  minister  to  Muscovy,  Rev.  John  Gaiwinckel,  to  Thoula ; 
from  Enckhuvsen  as  Ziekentrooster  to  the  East  Indies,  Hein 
Jansen. 

At  the  same  time  it  was  asked  of  the  Rev.  Deputies  of  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  whether  the  ministers  and  siekentroosters  on  re- 
turning home  again  to  the  Eatherland,  ought  not  to  present  them- 
selves and  show  their  certificates  to  the  Classes  by  whom  they 
were  sent  out.  The  Rev.  Synod  resolved  to  charge  the  respective 
Classes,  where  there  are  Chambers,  to  take  heed  to  this. 

Art.  36.     Letters  from  London  to  be  ansvrered. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  letter  sent  to  the  Classes  of  our  Svnod 
by  the  Rev.  Synod  at  London,  the  contents  of  which  have  been 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  185 

1644 

made  known  to  all  the  respective  Classes,  through  the  copies  here- 
with furnished  to  the  Classes,  shall  be  answered  nomine  hujus 
Synodi.  To  draft  this  letter,  Rev.  Correspondent  of  South  Hol- 
land, Peter  Cabbeljauw  is  invited ;  and  Rev.  Deputati  Synodi 
nostri,  John  Puppius,  and  with  him.  Rev.  Adrianus  Snellius.  The 
copy  of  the  same  shall  be  inserted  at  the  back  of  the  Acta  of 
S^Tiod.* 

Art.  42.     Baptism  by  Siekentroosters. 

To  the  second  question  of  Amsterdam,  —  See  on  the  same  Art. 
57,  (1643)  —  What  shall  be  held  as  to  the  baptisms  administered 
by  Siekentroosters,  etc.  It  is  understood  that  the  opinions  of  the 
respective  Synods  are,  that  baptism  by  Siekentroosters  is  to  be 
held  of  no  value.  As  to  the  matter  of  rebaptising?  The  Synod 
refers  this  to  the  answers  to  the  Questione  particularia  vige  simani 
nonan  Synodi  I^ationalis,  held  at  Dordrecht  Anno  1578. —  (This 
was  the  first  [N^ational  Synod  ever  held  in  Holland,  1578.) 

Art.  52.     1644  —  p.  21.     Greek  Letter. 

Deputati  Synodi  nostrae  are  ordered  to  communicate  a  certain 
Greek  letter  handed  in  by  the  Estimable  Commissioner  Dedel, 
sent  to  this  Synod  by  the  Bishop  of  Ephesus,  Meletius  Pantagolus, 
to  Revs.  Deputati  of  South  Holland,  in  order  to  act  conjunctim 
with  the  same  pro  re  nata. 

Book  of  Guilielmus  Apollonius,   on  Church  Government,   sent 
from  Holland  to  the  Westminster  Assembly. 

Oct.  16,  1644. 
Title. 

Consideratio  quarundam  Controversiarum  ad  Regimen  Eccle- 
siae  Dei  spectantium,  quae  in  Angliae  Regno  hodie  agitantur.  Ex 
mandato  et  jussu  Classis  Walachrianae  conscripta   a   Guilielmo 

*  A  photographic  copy  of  this  letter,  embracing  five  closely  written  pages,  was 
secured  from  the  copy  in  the  records.  Vol.  52,  iii.  p.  29,  at  100  Java  straat,  in  the 
Hague. 


186  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1614 

Apollonii    Verbi    Dei    apud    Middelburgensis    Ministro.      Et    ab 

Ecclesiis  Walachris  ad  Ecclesiarum  suarum  sensum  et  consensum 

jiidicandum  transmissa   ad   Synodum   Londinensem.   16    Octobris 

Anni  1644. 

(Translation.) 

A  Consideration  of  certain  Controversies  at  this  time  agitated 
in  the  Kingdom  of  England  concerning  the  Government  of  the 
Church  of  God  Written  at  the  Command  and  appointment  of  the 
Walachrian  Classis  by  Guilielmns  Apollonii,  Minister  of  the  Word 
of  God  at  Middelburgh.  And  sent  from  the  Walachrian  churches, 
to  declare  the  sense  and  consent  of  their  Churches  to  the  Sjmod 
of  London,  Oct.  16,  1644,  IT.S.  Translated  out  of  the  Latin, 
1645. —  See  Corwin's  Manual  of  Reformed  Church,  1879,  page 
xii,  note.  Also  Steven's  Dutch  Ecc.  Establishment,  and  his  His- 
tory of  the  Scotch  Church  of  Rotterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Letters  from  Curacoa  and  Angola.     Johannes  Backerus. 

1644,  'Nov.  7th. 

A  letter  was  read  from  John  Backerus,  minister  at  Curacoa, 
relating  to  the  state  of  the  Church  on  the  said  island  also,  another, 
from  Rev.  Jacobus  Beth,  minister  at  Angola.  Each  asked  what 
they  must  do  in  reference  to  baptizing  the  children  of  heathen. 
It  was  resolved  that  the  clerk  look  up  the  resolution  of  the  Synod 
on  this  subject,  and  report  the  same  at  the  next  Classis.     iv.  335. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

Service  of  the  Church  in  the  West  Indies. 

(1644.) 

Regarding  the  Sacred  Ministry  in  the  Churches  in  the  West 
Indies,  it  was  resolved  that  Revs.  Deputies  ad  res  Indicas  shall 
make  request  of  the  XIX  (the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
West  India   Company)    that  we  may  be  allowed   to  look   about 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  187 

for  some  capable  ministers,  in  order  to  dispatch  them  thither  at 
the  earliest  opportunity.  And  in  doing  this,  we  mnst  inform 
them,  that  there  is  danger  from  the  great  necessities  of  the  field, 
that  persons  of  all  sorts  of  character,  and  therefore  but  little  fit 
for  so  worthy  an  office,  may  seek  that  position  and  be  advanced 
thereto,     xxxix.  137. 

Book  on  the  Mohawk  Indians,  by  Kev.  John  Megapolensis. 

1644. 

Rev.  John  Megapolensis  wrote  the  following:  '^  A  short  Ac- 
count of  the  Mohawk  Indians,  their  country,  language,  figure, 
costume,  religion  and  government.  Written  and  despatched  from 
~New  Netherland,  August  26,  1644,  by  J.  M.,  minister  there. 
With  a  brief  account  of  the  Life  and  Manners  of  the  Stapongers 
in  Brazil  '\ 

This  was  published  at  Alkmaer,  by  Ysbr.  Jansz  v.  Houten,  8vo. 
pp.  32.  1651,  without  the  author's  consent.  Translations  may 
be  found  in  Hazard's  State  Papers  i.  517-526 ;  and  in  the  Histori- 
cal Collections  of  the  State  of  'New  York,  iii.  See  also  Duyck- 
inck's  Cyc.  Lit.  i.  80. 

Eev.  Richard  Denton. 

Those  New  England  settlers  who  preferred  Presbyterianism  to  Independency, 
drifted  southward,  through  Connecticut  and  Long  Island  into  New  Jersey.  Rev. 
Richard  Denton  was  one  of  these.  He  came  from  England  in  1630,  with  a  large 
part  of  his  congregation,  and  settled  at  Watertown,  Mass.  Denton  was  a  Presby- 
terian by  choice.  He  was  graduated  from  Cambridge  in  1623,  and  was  subsequently 
pastor  of  Cooly  Chapel.  He  was  driven  out  of  Massachusetts  on  account  of  opposi- 
tion to  his  Presbyterian  ways.  He  removed  to  Hempstead,  Long  Island,  in  1644, 
but  there  he  experienced  the  same  troubles.  The  Independents  and  Presbyterians 
did  not  then  harmonize  well.  In  1636  two  of  Denton's  sons  purchased  lands  of  the 
Indians  and  founded  Jamaica.  They  seem  to  have  had  a  Church  from  the  start, 
for  as  early  as  1662  they  provided  a  parsonage.  In  1710,  George  McNish  was  called 
as  eighth  pastor  of  Jamaica.  The  last  notice  of  that  Presbyterian  Church  at  Hemp- 
stead is  1729.  The  history  of  the  Jamaica  Presbyterian  Church  is  unbroken.  Den- 
ton was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  talent  and  ability. —  Hays,  64. 

XeW  l^ETHERLAND  1614-1639. HISTORICAL  ExTRACT. 

Report  of  the  Board  of  Accounts  on  New  Netherland.     1644. 

Report  and  Advice  on  the  Condition  of  New  Netherland,  drawn  up  from  docu- 
ments and  papers  placed  by  commission  of  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX.,  dated  15th 
of  December,  1644,  in  the  hands  of  the  General  Board  of  Accounts,  to  examine  the 


1644 


1644 


188  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

same,  to  make  a  digest  thereof,  and  to  advise  the  Assembly  how  the  decay  there 
can  be  prevented,  population  increased,  agriculture  advanced,  and  that  country 
wholly  improved  for  the  Company's  benefit. 

New  Netherland,  situate  in  America,  between  English  Virginia  and  New  England, 
extending  from  the  South  River,  lying  in  thirty  four  and  a  half  degrees,  to  Cape 
Malabar,  in  the  latitude  of  forty  one  and  a  half  degrees,  was  first  frequented  by  tho 
inhabitants  of  this  country  in  the  year  1598  (?),  and  especially  by  those  of  the 
Greenland  Company,  but  without  making  any  fixed  settlements,  only  as  a  shelter 
in  the  winter.  For  which  purpose  they  erected  on  the  North  and  South  Rivers 
there,  two  little  forts  against  the  incursions  of  the  Indians.  A  charter  was  after- 
wards, on  the  nth  of  October,  1614,  granted  by  their  High  Mightinesses  to  Gerrit 
Jacobsz.  Witsen,  antient  burgomaster  of  the  city  of  Amsterdam,  Jonas  Witsz,  Sy- 
mon  Morrisen,  Lambert  van  Tweenhuysen,  Wessel  Schenck  and  associates,  all  in- 
habitants of  these  parts,  to  trade  (1614-1617)  exclusively  to  the  newly  discovered 
countries,  situate  in  America,  between  New  France  and  Virginia,  and  now  called 
New  Netherland,  to  resort  thither  exclusively  for  the  term  of  three  years,  without 
any  other  persons  being  able,  during  that  time,  to  frequent  that  place  from  this 
country,  on  pain  of  confiscation  of  ships  and  goods,  and  a  fine  of  fifty  thousand 
Netherland  ducats. —  Col.  Docs.  i.  149. 

In  the  years  1622  and  1623,  the  West  India  Company  took  possession,  by  virtue 
of  their  charter,  of  the  said  country,  and  conveyed  thither,  in  their  ship,  the  New 
Netherland,  divers  Colonists  under  the  direction  of  Cornells  Jacobsz.  Mey,  and  Adri- 
aen  Jorissz.  Tienpoint,  which  Directors,  in  the  year  1624,  built  Fort  Orange  on  the 
North  River,   and  Fort  Nassau  on  the  South  River,  and  after  that,   in  1626,   Fort 
Amsterdam  on  the  Manhattes.     In  all  which,  garrisons  were  continually  maintained, 
and  trade  was  carried  on  in  those  several  districts  with  yachts,  sloops  and  other 
crafts.     And  in  the  year  1629,  the  Freedoms  and  Exemptions  conceded  by  the  Hon- 
orable Assembly  of  the  XIX.  were  published,  with  their  High  Mightinesses'  appro- 
bation.    Thereupon  divers  Patroons  and  Colonists  resorted  thither  and  endeavored 
to  advance  agriculture  and  population.     For  further  security,  Fort  Good  Hope  was 
also  erected  in  1633,  on  the  Fresh  River.     But  said  population  did  not  experience 
any  special  impulse  until  the  year  1639,  when  the  fur  trade  with  the  Indians,  which 
had  been  previously  reserved  to  the  Company,  was  thrown  free  and  open  to  every 
body;  at  which  time  not  only  the  inhabitants  there  residing  spread  themselves  far 
and  wide,  but  even  new  Colonists  came  thither  from  Fatherland;  and  the  neighbor- 
ing English,  both  from  Virginia  and  New  England  repaired  to  us.     So  that  in  place 
of  seven  Bouweries,  full  thirty  were  planted,  and  full  one  hundred  more  expected 
in  a  short  time  from  the  plantations  which  were  taken  up;  insomuch  that  there 
was  every  appearance  that  provisions  might  be  furnished  in  two  or  three  years  for 
ten  thousand  men. —  Col.  Doc.  N.  Y.  i.  149.     Copied  from  Wassenaar's  Description  of 
the  First  Settlement  of  New  Netherland. 

Council  Minute,  that  Rev.  E.  Bogardus  refused  to  receive  an  admonition  in  writing 

sent  him  by  Dir.  Kieft. 

23rd  March  1645. 
The  Honorable  Director  William  Kieft  has,  by  approval  of  the  Council,  sent  an 
admonition  in  writing,  dated  23  March  to  the  minister  Bogardus,  which  he  would 
not  receive  or  open,  and  the  paper  is  returned  by  the  court  messenger. —  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.  xiv.  59. 


:       '"    '  OF  THE  State  of  'Nbw  York.  189 

1645 

Ci^ssis  OF  Amsterdam. 

V  Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

Acta  of  the  General  Coetus  in  the  West  Indies. 

"'     •■  1645,  June  26th. 

The  Acta  have  also  arrived  from  the  General  Coetus  last  held 
in  Brazil.  These  having  been  read  in  the  Assembly,  the  following 
things  are  to  be  noted : 

1.  Articles  2,  3,  4,  7.  That  several  persons  of  various  nation- 
alities have  presented  themselves  ad  examen  preparatorium,  that 
they  may  be  admitted  ad  propositiones  publicas;    as  Englishmen, 

etc., and  others.      From  this,  not  without  reason,  disorder 

in  the  church  is  to  be  apprehended. 

2.  Article  14.  To  send  the  Acta  of  their  Classis  to  all 
churches  (Classes?)  and  Synods;  and  to  request  the  Acta  from 
such  in  return;  and  also  to  correspond  with  all  the  churches. 
This  they  wish  to  have  communicated  to  the  XIX. 

3.  Article  20.       Of  children  baptized  by  Siecken-Troosters. 

4.  Article  21.  Of  ministers  and  Siecken-Troosters;  also  to 
send  a  French  minister,     xx.  141. 

Report  to  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX. 

1645,  July  24th. 
At  the  resumption  of  the  preceding  Acta,  report  was  ren- 
dered by  Mourcourtius  and  Prudentius.  In  compliance  with 
the  commission  laid  upon  them  by  the  Rev.  Classis,  they 
had  appeared  before  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX  at  the  West 
India  House,  (on  Rapenburg;  building  still  standing;)  and  re- 
quested for  the  churches  of  Brazil  seven  ministers  and  a  few 
Siecken-Troosters.  In  regard  to  this  request  the  Flon.  Directors 
desired  to  see  the  said  request  put  in  writing.  This  the  Brethren 
did,  and  received  as  a  reply,  that  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX  have 
referred  this  request,  by  means  of  a  circular  letter,  to  the  next 
meeting  of  the  XIX,  in  Zeeland.     xx.  141. 


1645 


190  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Extract  about  Indian  Affairs  for  the  Synod. 

1645,  July  24th. 

Further,  it  was  resolved  to  ascertain  from  the  Classis  how  far 
the  Deputies  should  go,  in  laying  Indian  affairs  before  the  Synod. 
Meantime  the  Rev.  ]\Iourcourtius  was  directed  to  make  a  short 
extract  (memorandum)  thereof,  for  the  consideration  of  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Classis. 

Extract  of  the  East  and  West  India  affairs  since  the  last  Synod 
at  Alkmaar,  1644 xx.  141. 

Synod  of  !N'orth  Holland,  at  Haarlem. 

1645,  Aug.  8  et  seq. 
Art.  20.     East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

Regarding  the  28th  Article  referring  to  the  East  and  West 
India  Affairs:  Inasmuch  as  the  Rev.  Synods  of  Gelderland, 
Utrecht  and  Overyssel  have  not  yet  accepted  the  Plan  as  to  this 
business;  therefore  after  an  exhibition  of  the  difficulties  which 
arise  from  disagreement  on  this  matter,  it  was  resolved,  in  order 
to  secure  some  good  result,  earnestly  to  request  the  Rev.  Cor- 
respondents to  make  the  said  Plan  acceptable  to  their  principals. 
At  the  same  time  it  was  resolved  to  order  the  Rev.  Deputati  of 
our  Synod  to  insist  earnestly  that  the  objecting  Synods  accept 
this  Plan. 

The  question  having  been  put,  whether  the  Classes  where  there 
are  Chambers  did  not  have  something  to  report  about  the  state 
of  the  churches  in  the  East  and  West  Indies,  the  Rev.  Delegates 
from  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  read  this  following: 

Extracts  concerning  the  state  of  the  churches  in  the  East  and 
West  Indies,  as  this  has  been  made  known  to  us  since  the  last 
Synod  held  at  Alkmaer,  1644. 

1.     Of  the  East  Indies. 

(Four  pages,  relating  to  Batavia,  Coromandel;  and  Formosa, 
where  fifty  nine  hundred  had  been  baptized,  etc.) 


OF  THE  State  of  N^ew  York.  191 

2.     Of  the  West  Indies. 

From  the  churches  of  the  West  Indies  we  have  nothing  in  par- 
ticular, except  that  the  instruction  of  the  Brazilians  progresses 
very  well;  that  they  have  found  a  school  teacher  for  the  Negros, 
of  whom  they  have  good  hopes  of  success. 

That  also  some  children  of  the  Tapoyers  will  be  brought  to 
the  Aldeen,  to  be  educated,  even  as  the  same  have  requested. 

But  they  complain  much  of  the  scarcity  of  ministers,  inasmuch 
as  Jacobus  Cralingius  has  died  there,  and  many  others  have  re- 
cently left  for  the  Fatherland,  namely:  Rev.  Joachim  Soler, 
Franciscus  Planter,  Rev.  Kettelius.  These  are  on  the  point  of 
being  followed  by  still  others.  Wherefore  those  few  who  are  still 
there,  must  in  the  meantime  scatter  themselves,  and  repair  to  the 
other  places  to  help  supply  them,  not  without  injury  to  their  own 
churches.  They  have  need  of  at  least  seven  more  ministers  in 
other  places,  which  they  name. 

For  which  reason  they  also  earnestly  request  that  at  the  earliest 
opportunity  some  good  and  pious  ministers  may  be  sent  to  them, 
as  otherwise  they  would  have  to  take  up  with  the  material  which 
they  have  there.  These  are  mostly  of  foreign  nations,  English, 
Spanish,  and  such  others  as  present  themselves.  Work  has  begun 
with  some  of  these,  to  promote  them  in  time  to  the  ministry;  but 
from  them  it  is  to  be  feared  that  nothing  but  great  disorder  in 
the  church  will  come. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  has  made  an  effort  with  the  Directors 
of  the  West  India  Company,  to  get  them  to  send  ministers  and 
Siekentroosters  thither.  They  have  also  pressed  this  matter  upon 
the  Assembly  of  the  XIX,  lately  met  at  Amsterdam,  and  earnestly 
recommended  the  request  of  the  churches  of  Brazil.  Thereupon 
they  received  for  an  answer,  that  said  Assembly  had  admonished 
those  Chambers  which  were  behind  hand,  to  send  their  preachers ; 
and  further  had  referred  this  request  as  one  of  the  points,  in  the 
notice  for  the  next  meeting  of  the  XIX  to  be  held  in  Zeeland. 


1645 


1645 


192  Ecclesiastical  Records 

And  so  also  not  more  than  one  siekentrooster  has  been  sent  to 
Guinea,  namely,  Jacob  Cornelissen. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  of  the  Classis  of  Hoorn  reported  nothing 
more  than  that  Rev.  Sixtus  ■ii>  Besten  was  sent  out  as  minister  to 
the  East  Indies. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  of  the  Classis  of  Enckhuysen  also  reported 

that  there  were  sent  out  to  the  East  Indies,  Rev.  Isaac  Schipio 

as  preacher,  and  John  Pietersen  as  siekentrooster;   and  to  Guinea. 

Albers  Elbersen,  and  Adrian  Lourentse  Kuysterman,  as  sieken- 

troosters. 

Art.  52.     Plan  of  the  Synod  of  England. 

It  appears  from  the  Acta  of  the  Synod  of  South  Holland,  that 
the  Rev.  S}Tiod  of  England  had  agreed  upon  a  certain  Plan  of 
Church  Government,  practically  the  same  in  most  points  as  that 
of  the  Reformed  Church  of  this  country,  and  has  laid  the  same 
before  the  Parliament  of  England,  with  the  request  for  the  ap- 
proval thereof. 

This  was  heard  by  the  entire  Assembly  with  great  gladness  and 
with  singular  satisfaction,  with  the  assurance  that  between  the 
English  Church  and  our  Church  there  should  be  effected  a  similar 
form  of  government.* 

Council  Minute.     Proclamation  to  be  Issued  ordering  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving  to  be 
observed  on  account  of  the  Peace  with  the  Indians. 

The    31st    of    August    (1645). 

It  has  been  resolved  in  Council,  to  issue  a  proclamation  for  a  day  of  general 
thanksgiving,  which  shall  take  place  on  the  6th  of  September  next  in  all  the  Dutch 
and  English  churches  within  the  limits  of  New  Netherland.  The  proclamation  reads 
as  follows. 

As  it  has  pleased  the  Almighty  God  In  his  Infinite  mercy  and  clemency  in  addition 
to  many  previous  blessings,  to  allow  us  to  obtain  the  long  desired  peace  with  the 
savages,  we  have  found  it  necessary  to  announce  it  to  all  the  people  of  New  Nether- 
land, in  order  that  in  all  places,  where  Dutch  and  English  churches  are  established, 
the  Almighty  God  may  be  especially  thanked,  lauded  and  blessed  next  Wednesday, 
the  6th  of  September,  the  text  taken  to  be  appropriate  and  the  sermon  applicable 
thereto.  You  will  please  to  announce  this  matter  to  the  congregation  next  Sunday, 
that  they  may  know  it. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlii.  19. 

*  This  refers  to  the  great  Westminster  Assembly  and  the  adoption  of  Presby- 
terianism  by  the  Commonwealth  under  Cromwell. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  193 

1645 

Peoceedings  of  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX,  iisr  Regard  to  New 

Netherland. 

1645,  Sept.  21. 

Extracts  from  the  Eesolutions  of  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX.  of  the 
West  India  Company,  holden  at  Middleburg,  from  the  9th  of 
September  to  the  16th  of  October,  1645,  as  far  as  they  relate 
to  the  affairs  of  New  Netherland. 

Tuesday,  the  21st  September,  1645. 

The  opinion  of  the  before  mentioned  deputies  being  heard,  it 
is,  after  divers  discourses  between  the  members  from  Amsterdam 
and  other  Chambers,  concluded  and  resolved;  inasmuch  as  some 
Clergymen  are  about  to  return  home  from  Brazil,  that  they  be 
permitted  to  return,  and  that  the  number  of  those  who  shall  re- 
main there  be  limited  to  nine  persons,  to  wit:  one  for  each  ninth 
part,  to  be  distributed  by  the  President  and  Supreme  Council 
among  the  principal  places  where  the  hearers  are  most  numerous, 
and  their  services  shall  be  most  advantageous. 

And  that  the  smaller  places  shall  be  served  by  precentors,  com- 
forters of  the  sick,  and  schoolmasters,  who  shall  offer  up  public 
prayers,  read  aloud  from  the  old  and  new  testament,  from  printed 
sermons;  and  tune  the  psalms. 

But  inasmuch  as  the  Amsterdam  Chamber  maintains,  at  its 
charge,  seven  of  the  aforesaid  clergymen,  besides  one  in  Curacao, 
one  in  New  Netherland  and  one  in  Loando,  making  ten  in  all; 
on  the  other  hand,  Zealand  and  the  Maese  have  only  one;  Zealand 
and  North  Holland  is  to  send  one,  and  Stadt  en  Landen*  hath  sent 
one  by  the  last  ship;  it  is  resolved  that  the  Supreme  Government 
in  Brazil  shall  be  bound  herein  to  make  an  equal  re-partition  of 
those  who  are  to  remain  in  the  service  or  are  sent  out,  in  order  that 

*  In  1594,  Prince  Maurice  reduced  the  city  of  Gronlngen  and  united  the  Omme- 
landen,  or  surrounding  rural  districts,  to  it  as  one  province.  Martinet,  Beschryving 
der  Nederlanden,  II,  148.  The  province  of  Gronlngen  was  hence  sometimes  called 
"Stadt  en  Landen";  city  and  country. —  Ed. 

13 


1646 


194  Ecclesiastical  Records 

thus  the  nine  parts  hereafter  to  be  borne  by  the  members,  be 
equally  charged. —  Col.  Doc.  ^.  Y.  i.  163-4. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.     Commission  of  Classis  to  the  Deputies. 

1646,  May  28th. 

Inasmuch  as  at  the  last  Classis  the  Deputies  ad  res  Indicas  were 
commissioned  to  consider  the  desolate  state  of  the  churches  in 
Brazil,  and  to  give  information  of  the  same  to  the  Hon.  Directors; 
it  was  resolved,  that  inasmuch  as  the  XIX  do  not  assemble  here, 
but  at  The  Hague,  to  refer  this  matter  again  to  Classis,  and  to 
ask  in  what  manner  the  Deputies  shall  act  in  this  business,  xx. 
152,  153. 

Minister  to  Xew  Xetherland. 

Whereas  the  Brethren  Deputies,  charged  with  calling  a  minister 
to  Xew  Xetherland,  had,  to  this  end,  written  to  Be  v.  Aemilius 
van  der  Poel  and  Rev.  Xicholas  Ketelius,  and  requested  that  they 
would  either  personally  appear  here,  to  speak  with  them  orally; 
or  to  make  kno^\Ti  to  us  their  disposition  in  writing  before  June 
11;  and  inasmuch  as  neither  they  themselves  nor  any  communi- 
cations from  them  have  been  received;  it  was  resolved,  since  there 
is  need  of  haste  in  the  matter,  to  write  once  more  to  one  of  them, 
and  to  request  a  speedy  reply.     The  clerk  will  do  this.     xx.  153. 

Extracts  from  the  Acta  of  the  Classis  of  Brazil. 

Whereas  the  Brethren  Deputies  have  shown  to  our  Classis  their 
extracts  from  the  Acta  of  the  Classis  of  Brazil,  and  have  asked 
advice,  as  to  whether,  and  how,  this  same  matter  shall  be  laid 
before,  (lit.  remonstrated  to;  but  this  has  not  that  force,  as  in 
English),  the  Messrs  XIX;  the  Classis  recommends  this  to  the 
discretion  of  the  Deputies.  They,  in  order  to  ward  off  their 
have  noted  down  what  affairs  ought  to  be  laid  before 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  195 

the  XIX,  and  have  ^^T-itten  to  the  churches,  and  having  considered 
the  said  extracts,  they  have 

1.  Resolved:  As  to  the  setting  aside  of  the  Commissaries 
of  the  church  of  Brazil,  to  stir  them  up  (animate  them)  to  oppose 
their  money 

2.  As  to  the  licensing  of  the  Jews:  About  this  much  com- 
plaint has  been  made  in  Brazil;  that  the  XIX  shall  be  requested 

—  inasmuch  as  Judaism  is  in  direct  conflict  with  Christianity  and 
therefore  can  particularly  hinder  the  course  of  the  Gospel  there 

—  that  the  Hon.  Directors  would  seriously  heed  such  complaints 
and  not  permit  them  such  liberty. 

3.  As  to  the  boldness  of  the  Papists:  the  session  resolved  to  me- 
morialize the  XIX  earnestly,  and  to  give  them  to  understand  that  it 
giieves  us  to  hear  that  libei-ty  has  been  heretofore  granted  them,  al- 
though under  some  limitation;  but  misfortunes  have  arisen  there- 
from. Therefore  their  Honors  may  deduce  that  the  Papacy  is  not 
to  be  limited;  and  they  are  to  be  requested  to  deprive  them  of 
such  liberty  hereafter. 

4.  As  to  the  correspondence  wdth  all  the  Synods  of  the  Prov- 
inces :     They  are  seriously  to  advise  the  Messrs.  XIX  against  this. 

5.  As  they  complain  that  no  answ^er  has  been  written  them, 
in  regard  to  those  baptized  by  Siecken-Troosters  —  how  this  should 
be  regarded:  the  resolution  of  Synod  shall  be  forwarded  to  them. 

6.  Inasmuch  as  such  sad  betrayals  have  revealed  themselves 
in  the  West  Indies:  That  this  be  laid  before  the  Messrs.  XIX, 
and  they  be  asked,  in  accordance  with  the  desire  of  the  church 
there,  that  henceforth  no  high  officials  be  appointed  for  the  civil 
government  there,  except  such  as  are  of  the  Reformed  Religion, 
and  also  church  members. 

7.  As  to  gentlemen  restoring  the  state  there:  That  all  Popery 
be  turned  out. 

8.  To  maintain  capable  schoolmasters  and  schoolmistresses, 
for  the  very  young  (young  youth)  who  now  run  idle  in  many 
places. 


1646 


1646 


196  Ecclesiastical  Records 

9.  In  the  union  of  the  Classes :  to  seek  help  of  the  XIX. 

10.  As  they  complain  that  for  five  years  no  ministers  have 
been  sent  them :  they  shall  be  told  who  is  to  blame  therefor. 

11.  Our  request  of  the  Messrs.  XIX  for  six  or  seven  minis- 
ters, to  be  renewed. 

12.  To  Art.  52 :  that  we  have  received  their  Acta  of  the  year 
'44,  (1644,)  through  Rev.  Kesterius. 

13.  As  the  Classis  has  granted  them  the  Acta  of  the  year 
1640  and  subsequent  years:  These  shall  be  sent  to  them,  pro- 
vided the  company  will  bear  the  expense,  which  shall  be  asked  of 

it— XX.   153,  154. 

I^ew  N'etherland. 

1646,  June  5th. 

The  Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  reported,  that  the  Directors 
of  the  West  India  Company  have  need  of  a  minister  and  school- 
master in  'New  IsTetherland ;  also  another  minister  was  needed  in 
Brazil.  And  whereas  Revs.  Cornelius  van  der  Poel  and  Nicolas 
Ketelius  have  come  home  from  that  locality,  it  was  resolved  to 
make  an  effort  to  induce  them  to  go  thither  (to  New  ]^etherland). 
For  this  business  the  said  Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas,  were 
authorized,     iv.  389 ;  xxxix.  140. 

THE  CASE  OF  DOMINIE  BOGARDUS. 

Summons  to  the  Rer.  B.  Bogardus  to  appear  before  the  Council  and  answer  charges 
against  him,  and  further  proceedings.     [June  11,  1646.] 

In  the  name  of  the  Lord,  Amen.  Anno  1646  In  New  Netherland. 
The  Hon.  Director  and  Council  to  the  Reverend  Everardus  Bogardus,  minister  here. 
Although  we  are  informed  of  your  proceedings  in  the  time  of  the  Honorable 
Wouter  van  Twlller,  the  former  Director,  and  were  also  warned  to  be  on  our  guard, 
yet  were  we  unwilling  to  pay  any  attention  thereto,  believing  that  no  man  that 
preached  the  Word  of  the  Lord  would  so  far  forget  himself,  notwithstanding  we 
have  letters  in  your  own  hand,  among  others,  one  dated  17th  June  1634,  wherein 
you  do  not  appear  to  be  moved  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord,  but  on  the  contrary  by  a 
feeling  becoming  heathens,  let  alone  Christians,  much  less  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel. 
You  there  berate  your  magistrate,  placed  over  you  by  God,  as  a  child  of  the  Devil, 
an  incarnate  villain,  whose  buck  goats  are  better  than  he,  and  promise  him  that 
you  would  so  pitch  into  him  from  the  pulpit  on  the  following  Sunday,  that  both  you 
and  his  bulwarks  would  tremble.  And  many  other  such  like  insults,  which  we  re- 
frain from  mentioning,  out  of  the  respect  we  entertain  for  that  gentleman. 


OF  THE  State  of  IN^ew  York.  197 

You  have  indulged  no  less  in  scattering  abuse  during  our  administration.  Scarcely 
a  person  in  tlie  entire  land  have  you  spared;  not  even  your  ovsrn  wife,  or  her  sister, 
particularly  when  you  were  in  good  company  and  jolly.  Still  mixing  up  your  human 
passion  with  the  chain  of  truth,  which  has  continued  from  time  to  time,  you  asso- 
ciated with  the  greatest  criminals  in  the  country,  taking  their  part  and  defending 
them.  You  refused  to  obey  the  order  to  administer  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord  and 
Aid  not  dare  to  partake  of  it  yourself.  And  in  order  that  you  may  not  plead  igno- 
rance, a  few  out  of  many  instances  shall  be  cited  for  you,  as  follows: 

On  the  25th  of  September  1639,  having  celebrated  the  Lord's  Supper,  observing 
afterwards  in  the  evening  a  bright  fire  in  the  Director's  house,  whilst  you  were  at 
Jacob  van  Curler's,  being  thoroughly  drunk,  you  grossly  abused  the  Director  and 
Jochim  Pietersen,  with  whom  you  were  angry,  because  the  Director  had  asked 
something  of  you  for  said  Jochim  Pietersen  which  you  refused.  (See  affidavit  in 
our  possession.) 

Since  that  time  many  acts  have  been  committed  by  you,  which  no  clergyman 
would  think  of  doing.  In  the  hope  that  you  would  at  least  demean  yourself  in  your 
office  in  a  christianlike  manner,  we  have  over  looked  those  things  until  March  1643, 
when  one  Maryn  Adriaensen  came  into  the  Director's  room  with  predetermined  pur- 
pose to  murder  him.  He  was  prevented  and  put  in  irons.  Taking  up  the  criminal's 
cause,  you  drew  up  his  writings  and  defended  him.  He,  notwithstanding,  was  sent 
to  Holland  in  chains  against  your  will.  Whereupon  you  fulminated  terribly  for 
about  fourteen  days  and  desecrated  even  the  pupit  by  your  passion.  In  what  man- 
ner you  conducted  yourself  every  evening  during  this  time  is  known  to  your  imme- 
diate neighbors.  Finally,  you  made  up  friends  with  the  Director,  and  things  became 
quiet. 

In  the  year  1644,  one  Laurens  Cornelissen  being  here  —  a  man  who  committed 
perjury;  once  openly  took  a  false  oath  and  was  guilty  of  theft  —  he  immediately 
found  a  patron  in  you,  because  he  bespattered  the  Director  with  lies  and  you  were 
dally  making  good  cheer  with  him.  In  the  summer  of  the  same  year,  when  min- 
ister Douthey  administered  the  Lord's  Supper  in  the  morning,  you  came  drunk  into 
the  pulpit  in  the  afternoon;  also  on  the  Friday  before  Christmas  of  the  same  year, 
when  you  preached  the  sermon  calling  to  repentance. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1645,  being  at  supper  at  the  Fiscal's  where  you  ar- 
rived drunk,  you  commenced  as  is  your  custom,  to  scold  your  deacons  and  the  Secre- 
tary, abusing  among  the  rest  deacon  OlofE  Stevensen  as  a  thief,  although  he  did 
not  utter  an  ill  word  against  you;  whereupon  the  Director,  being  present,  suggested 
to  you  in  a  kind  manner,  that  it  was  not  the  place  to  use  such  language.  As  you 
did  not  desist,  the  Director  finally  said,  that  when  you  were  drunk,  you  did  nothifag 
but  abuse,  and  that  you  had  been  drunk  on  Friday  when  you  went  into  the  pulpit; 
that  it  did  not  become  a  minister  to  lead  such  a  life,  and  to  give  scandal  to  the 
worthy  congregation. 

Some  days  after,  the  Director  not  being  able  to  attend  church  in  consequence  of 
Indisposition,  to  wit  on  the  22ud  January  1645,  you  abused  him  violently  from  the 
pulpit,  saying  "  What  else  are  the  greatest  in  the  land  but  vessels  of  wrath  and 
fountains  of  evil,  etc.  Men  aim  at  nothing  but  to  rob  one  another  of  his  property, 
to  dismiss,  banish  and  transport  ".  For  this  reason  the  Director  absented  himself 
from  church,  in  order  to  avoid  greater  scandal;  as  he  will  maintain  that  he  never 
coveted  any  man's  property,  or  took  it  away,  or  acted  unjustly,  or  banished  any 
one  who  had  not  deserved  three  times  severer  punishment.  Whomever  he  dis- 
missed was  discharged  because  such  was  his  prerogative,  and  he  will  vindicate  his 
act  in  the  proper  quarter.     It  is  none  of  your  business. 


1646 


1646 


198  Ecclesiastical  Records 

On  the  21st  March  1645,  being  at  a  wedding  feast  at  Adam  Brouwer's  and  pretty 
drunk,  you  commenced  scolding  the  Fiscal  and  Secretary  then  present,  censuring 
also  the  Director  not  a  little,  giving  as  your  reason  that  he  had  called  your  wife  a 

,  though  he  said  there  that  it  was  not  true  and  that  he  never  entertained  such 

a  thought,  and  it  never  could  be  proved.  Wherefore  on  the  23rd  March,  we  being 
moved  by  motives  of  mercy,  and  on  account  of  the  respect  attached  to  your  oflace 
instead  of  prosecuting  you,  sent  you  a  Christian  admonition  under  seal,  which  you 
twice  refused  to  receive.     (See  Report  of  the  Messenger.) 

You  administered  the  Lord's  Supper  at  Easter  and  Whitsuntide  without  partak- 
ing of  it  yourself,  setting  yourself  as  a  partisan;  assuming  that  the  Director  had 
sent  the  Yoncker*  and  one  lottho,  meaning  Lysbet  the  midwife,  to  you  in  order  to 
seek  a  reconciliation,  but  that  you  would  think  twice  before  making  peace  with  him; 
using  similar  language  also  to  the  Yoncker  and  Anthony  de  Hooges,  as  shall  appear 
by  credible  witnesses.  At  the  making  of  the  peace,  many  words  and  means  were 
used  to  break  it  off.  Good  effect  was  expected  from  the  order  which  was  sent  to 
you  to  offer  up  prayers  to  the  Lord,  but  instead  of  a  prayer,  people  heard  an  in- 
vective, the  tendency  whereof  was  of  dangerous  consequences.  Peace  being  con- 
cluded with  the  Indians,  an  extract  from  the  order  of  the  Lords  States  was  sent 
to  your  Reverence,  to  return  thanks  to  God  on  the  6th  of  September  therefor.  Your 
Reverence  preached  well  and  gave  a  good  sermon,  but  throughout  not  a  word  was 
uttered  about  the  peace,  and  though  the  day  was  appointed  specially  for  that  pur- 
pose, you  offered  no  thanks  to  God  for  it,  as  the  other  clergymen  who  dwell  within 
our  limits  have  done  with  great  zeal.  By  this,  people  can  estimate  your  disposition 
towards  the  Company,  by  whom  you  are  paid,  and  the  welfare  of  the  country; 
which  disposition  is  also  manifested  by  favoring  those  who  have  grossly  defrauded 
and  injured  the  Company;  the  conventicles  and  gatherings  held  and  still  daily  con- 
tinued in  reference  thereto. 

On  the  22nd  of  December,  you  said  publicly,  in  the  course  of  the  sermon  on  re- 
pentance, that  you  have  frequently  administered  the  Lord's  Supper,  without  par- 
taking of  it  yourself,  and  wished  that  those  who  are  the  cause  of  the  trouble  were 
dismissed,  and  when  families  are  visited,  they  cannot  give  a  reason,  why  they  ab- 
sent themselves.  Your  bad  tongue  is  in  our  opinion,  the  sole  cause,  and  your  stiff- 
neckedness,  and  those  who  encourage  you  in  your  evil  course,  the  cause  of  its  con- 
tinuance. We  know  no  one  but  only  you  who  has  refused  to  make  peace.  When 
you  make  a  visitation  you  do  not  enquire  the  reason  of  such  absence  if  it  be 
demanded. 

On  the  24th  of  the  same  month,  you  remarked  in  your  sermon,  that  in  Africa,  in 
consequence  of  the  excessive  heat,  different  wild  animals  copulate  together,  whereby 
many  monsters  are  generated.  But  in  this  temperate  climate,  you  knew  not,  you 
said,  whence  these  monsters  of  men  proceeded.  They  are  the  mighty  but  they 
ought  to  be  made  unmighty,  who  have  many  fathers  and  place  their  trust  in  the 
arm  of  the  flesh,  and  not  in  the  Lord. 

Children  can  tell  to  whom  you  here  alluded.  These  and  many  similar  sermons 
which  you  have  often  preached,  have  obliged  us  to  remain  away  from  church. 

Seeing  that  all  this  tends  to  the  general  ruin  of  the  land,  both  in  ecclesiastical 
and  civil  matters,  to  the  disparagement  of  authority  which  your  Jtteverence  is  bound 
by  duty  and  also  by  your  oath  to  support;  to  the  stirring  up  of  mutiny  among  the 
people,  already  split  into  factions;  to  schism  and  contention  in  the  church,  created 
by  novel  and  unheard  of  customs,  and  to  rendering  us  contemptible  in  the  eyes  of 
our  neighbors,  which  things  cannot  be  tolerated,  when  justice  is  accustomed  to  be 
maintained,  therefore  our  bounden  duty  obliges  us  to  provide  therein,  and  by  virtue 

*  Adrian  van  der  Donck. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  199 

of  our  commission  from  their  Higli  Miglitinesses,  His  Higliness,  and  the  Lords 
Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West  India  Companj-,  to  proceed  against  you  for- 
mally: and  in  order  that  the  same  may  be  done  more  regularly,  we  have  commanded 
that  a  copy  of  tliis  our  Acte  be  delivered  to  you,  to  be  answered  in  fourteen  days, 
protesting  that  your  Reverence  shall  be  treated  in  as  Chi-istian  and  civil  a  manner 
as  our  conscience  and  the  welfare  of  Church  and  State  will  permit.     The  2nd  of 

January    1646. 

1646,  4th  of  January. 

We  have  seen  the  writing  dated  third  January  last  sent  us  by  Everardus  Bogardus 
through  the  messenger,  and  found  it  futile  and  absurd  and  not  an  answer  to  the 
extract  dated  2nd  of  January  1646,  sent  to  said  Bogardus.  It  is  therefore  ordered 
that  said  Bogardus  shall  give  a  pertinent  answer  to  the  contents  of  said  extract, 
either  affirmatively  or  negatively  within  the  time  therein  mentioned,  on  pain  of 
being  prosecuted  in  court  as  a  rebel  and  contumacious. 

Thus  done  in  Council  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland  on  the  above  date. 

On  the  IfeLu  of  January. 

We  have  seen  a  certain  writing  of  Domine  Bogardus  sent  us  by  the  messenger, 

full  of  vain  subterfuge,  calumny,  insult  and  profanation  of  God's  holy  word,  to  the 

disparagement  of  justice  and  his  lawful  supei'ior,  which  he  uses,  as  is  his  custom, 

to  vent  his  passion  and  to  cover  up  the  truth,  and  is  in  no  wise  an  answer  to  our 

charges  and  order  sent  him  on  the  2nd  and  4th  of  January  last.    Therefore  we  order 

him  a  second  time  to  answer  it  formally  within  fourteen  days  either  negatively  or 

affirmatively  on  pain  as  above. 

On  the  first  of  February  Anno  1646. 

Having  seen  the  slanderous  writing  of  Domine  Bogardus  purporting  to  be  an  an- 
swer to  our  charges,  wherein  he  affirms  some  and  denies  other  points  thereof,  and 
demands  proof. 

Ordered  that  the  Fiscal  shall  give  said  Bogardus  satisfaction  as  his  party. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  1646. 

Having  seen  the  answer  of  Everardus  Bogardus,  minister,  dated  8th  of  March, 
Ordered,  if  he  has  anything  more  to  allege  either  against  the  witnesses  or  other- 
wise in  the  remainder  of  the  suit,  that  he  produce  it  within  eight  days,  and  at  the 
same  time  specify  the  reason  which  the  Honorable  Director  and  Council  gave  him 
for  abusing  them  from  the  chair  of  truth,  and  refusing  to  obey  their  order;  in  de- 
fault whereof  the  suit  shall  be  proceeded  with  to  proof,  notwithstanding  his  subter- 
fuges.    The  8th  of  March    1646. 

Whereas  Domine  Bogardus  has  not  yet  answered  the  papers  sent  to  him  on  the 
8th  of  February,  he  is  hereby  ordered  to  answer  them  by  the  next  court  day,  and 
show  cause  why  he  has  calumniated  the  Magistrate  from  the  Chair  of  Truth,  and 
in  his  writing. 

Having  seen  the  writing  dnted  the  15th  of  March  1646  sent  by  the  messenger 
from  Everardus  Bogardus,  minister,  it  is  for  the  second  time  ordered  that  Deft, 
shall  declare  at  the  next  session  whether  he  has  any  more  objections  against  the 
evidence  and  other  points  of  the  suit,  and  any  other  cause  why  he  has  calumniated 
the  Director  and  Council  in  the  Chair  of  Truth,  and  neglected  their  order.  In 
default,  the  suit  shall  be  despatched. 

Everardus  Bogardus,  minister,  has  delivered  in  Court  an  answer  to  the  resolution 
of  the  15th  of  March  and  previous  dates,  wherein  he  declares  that  he  will  not  at 
present  proceed  further  or  deeper  in  the  case,  or  with  the  evidence  or  remainder 
of  the  suit;  and  whereas  he,  Bogardus,  has  challenged  the  Director  and  Council  as 
judges,  although  we,  by  virtue  of  the  commission  granted  us  by  their  High  Mighti- 
nesses, his  Highness,  and  the  Honorable  Lords  Directors,  are  fully  qualified  to  de- 


1646 


1646 


200  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

clde  the  case,  as  it  concerns  our  office  and  the  authority  of  our  superiors  vested  in 
us,  Yet  in  order  to  obviate  all  occasion  of  scandal,  we  are  willing  to  place  our  claim 
in  the  hands  of  impartial  judges  of  the  reformed  religion,  such  as  Domine  Johannes 
Megapolensis,  Mr.  Douthey,  both  ministers,  and  two  or  three  impartial  members  of 
this  Province,  provided  Bogardus  shall  submit  his  case,  as  we  do,  to  their  judg- 
ment, and  that  he,  in  the  meanwhile,  shall  not  privately  or  publicly,  directly  or 
Indirectly,  by  abuse  or  calumny  offend  the  Director  and  Council;  and  if,  meanwhile, 
another  Director  and  other  Councillors  arrive  here,  we  are  content  to  place  the 
matter  in  their  hands.  On  which  he  is  ordered  to  communicate  his  resolution  on 
the  12th  of  April  next. 

Dated  22nd  of  March    1646    in  Council  in  New  Amsterdam. 

12  April  Anno    1646. 

Having   seen   the   answer   of   Everardus   Bogardus,    minister,    dated   the  12th   of 

April,  delivered  in  writing,  whereby  he  refuses  the  civil  offer  made  him  on  the  22nd 

of  March  last  by  the  Director  and  Council,  to  submit  the  suit  against  him  to  two 

Reformed  ministers  and  some  impartial  members  of  this  country,   but  appeals  to 

the  coming  of  a  new  Director  and  Council;  and  whereas  it  is  uncertain  what  time  a 

new  Director  will  arrive;   we  cannot  consequently  neglect  putting  a   stop  to  the 

disorder  and  scandals  which  have  prevailed  hitherto,   but  are  resolved  to  proceed 

with  the  suit;  we  therefore  order  that  an  answer  to  his  last  writing  delivered  to 

us  shall  be  sent  to  him,  Domine  Bogardus,  within  eight  days,  to  be  by  him  replied 

to  for  the  last  time  on  the  26th  of  this  month,  in  default  whereof  the  case  shall  be 

decided. 

11th  of  June. 

Whereas  Oloff  Stevensen,  deacon  and  commissary  of  cargoes  and  the  store,  has 
presented  a  petition  to  us  wherein  he  requests  that  four  arbitrators  may  be  named 
by  us  who  might  decide  the  difficulty  which  he  has  with  Domine  Everardus  Bogar- 
dus, minister  here,  to  which  said  Bogardus  also  consents,  (see  his  writing  delivered 
to  us  by  him,  Oloff):  Therefore  we  do  not  object  so  to  do,  and  hereby  nominate 
Domine  Megapolensis,  Mr.  de  Hooges,  Yoncker  Adriaen  Verdonck  and  Laurens  van 
Heusden,  commissary,  whom  we  amicably  request,  authorize  and  empower  to  de- 
cide and  settle  the  aforesaid  question  as  far  as  in  their  power  lies,  reserving  the 
action  which  the  Fiscal  may  have  against  Oloff  Stevensen. 

Thus  done  in  Fort  Amsterdam  the  11th  of  June  Anno  1646. 

The  Honorable  Director  and  Council  to  you.  Reverend  Bogardus,  minister  here. 

Although  the  offer  we  have  made  your  Reverence  to  submit  our  case  to  arbitra- 
tion, as  you  have  requested,  sufficiently  proves  the  justice  of  our  proceedings  and 
the  inclination  we  have  for  peace,  as  your  refusal  establishes  the  contrary;  never- 
theless the  respect  we  bear  the  dignity  of  the  ministry,  and  the  desire  for  your 
Reverence's  welfare  prompt  [us]  once  more  to  seek  it,  seeing  the  opportunity  that 
now  presents  itself  on  the  part  of  those  whom  we  had  nominated  thereto;  From  the 
ministers,  Domine  Johannes  Megapolensis  and  Mr.  Douthey,  and  such  other  impar- 
tial members  as  you  yourself  will  be  willing  to  select;  protesting  in  case  of  refusal 
that  we  shall  proceed  to  judgment.  And  In  order  that  we  may  with  more  fervour 
pray  God  in  the  midst  of  the  congregation  that  He  would  dispose  you  and  our  hearts 
to  a  Christian  concord,  we  request  Domine  Megapolensis  may  preach  next  Sunday, 
as  has  been  always  his  custom,  and  being  here  make  us  partakers  of  the  gifts  with 
which  God  has  blessed  him.  Your  Reverence  will  please  to  gratify  us  so  far  in 
this  matter  as  that  we  may  hear  him  on  that  occasion.  Relying  thereon,  and  not 
doubting  that  your  Reverence  will  have  any  objection  to  it  seeing  the  justice  of  our 
request,  we  shall  await  your  Reverence's  immediate  answer  thereto,  and  on  the 
preceding  matter  next  Thursday,  being  the  14th  of  June. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv. 
69,  70,  71,  72,  73. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  201 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1646,  June  12tli. 
Rev.  Henry  Rutelius  in  the  Chair. 

The  committee  charged  with  calling  a  pastor  for  'Ne\Y  l^ether- 
land,  had  written,  for  this  purpose,  to  Rev.  Cornelius  Yander 
Poel,  and  Rev.  Nicholas  Ketelius.  They  requested  their  Rever- 
ences either  to  appear  here  in  person  to  confer  mth  us  by  word 
of  mouth,  or  to  make  known  their  inclination  in  writing  by  June 
11th.  But  they  did  not  arrive  nor  did  any  letter.  It  was  there- 
fore resolved,  since  the  matter  is  of  a  pressing  nature,  again  to 
write  to  them,  and  to  request  a  speedy  reply.  This  the  Clerk 
will  do.     XX.  153. 

Remonstrance   [Memorial]   to  the  XIX. 

Rev.  Bantius  was  directed  to  draft  these  matters  into  a  Remon- 
strance to  be  sent  to  the  Hon.  Messrs.  XIX ;  also  to  draft  a  let- 
ter to  be  sent  to  the  churches  in  Brazil,    xx.  154. 

John  Walraven. 

1646,  June  25th. 

John  Walraven  who  was  to  be  recommended  as  schoolmaster 
and  voorleser  to  New  Netherland  appeared:  The  brethren,  who 
presented  him,  related  the  experience  which  befell  them  before 
the  Directors,  namely;  that  the  Directors,  besides  taking  little 
pleasure  in  his  writing,  denied  (lit.  ignored)  that  they  had  given 
a  commission  to  call  a  schoolmaster  who  should  at  the  same  time 
be  a  voorleser.  Thereupon  we  reminded  them,  that  Isaac  van 
Beeck  had  recommended  us  thus  to  do.  They  then  gave  the 
affair  again  in  commission  to  certain  gentlemen  of  their  Assembly. 
These  informed  us,  in  reply,  that  they  were  not  accustomed  to  pay 
♦s.  schoolmaster;  but  if  he  wished  to  journey  thither  as  Siecken- 
Trooster  and  voorleser  and  precentor  in  the  church,  that  they 
would  accept  him   as   such.     They  would  then  consent  also  to 


1646 


1646 


202  Ecclesiastical  Records 

maintain  a  school,  and  would  give  for  this  thirty  six  florins  per 
month;  and  that  he  would  have  to  get  along  on  this.  This  being 
put  before  him,  he  declared  that  he  was  satisfied  therewith,  and 
would  go  thither  in  such  capacity.  Thereupon  the  Assembly 
resolved  to  examine  him.  In  this  examination,  he  bore  himself 
in  such  fashion  that  the  Assembly  judged  him  to  be  fit  to  be  em- 
ployed in  said  capacity,  in  the  said  locality.  The  Rev.  Presi- 
dent and  Clerk  were  thereupon  commissioned  to  recommend  him 
to  the  Messrs.  Directors  accordingly,    xx.  154,  155. 

1646,  June  25th. 
Rev.  John  Bantius  in  the  Chair. 

The  brethren.  Revs.  Cornelius  Vander  Poel  and  ISTicholas  Ke- 
telius  appeared,  in  response  to  the  letters  addressed  to  them  asking 
them  whether  they  felt  inclined  to  go  as  preachers  to  N^ew  ISTether- 
land.  Rev.  Mr.  Ketelius  declared  that  he  had  a  call  to  Moort  in 
the  Classis  of  the  Gouw,  and  thanked  the  brethren  for  their  kind 
interest.  Rev.  Mr.  Vander  Poel  also  declared  that  a  call  was 
opened  to  him,  which  he  would  lay  before  the  Classis  of  Gor- 
chon  on  Monday,  25th  inst.  He  did  not  know  for  a  certainty, 
whether  it  would  be  approved;  but  if  there  were  any  difficulty 
in  the  matter,  he  would  accept  a  call  to  'New  ISTetherland.  He 
also  requested  the  brethren  to  wait  for  him  until  he  had  been 
before  the  Classis,  and  received  this  decision.  As  he  has  only 
partially  engaged  himself  in  this  call,  he  would  let  us  know  the 
result  by  Tuesday  or  "Wednesday,  either  by  word  of  mouth,  or 
by  letter.  His  request  was  granted.  The  meeting  also  resolved, 
that  should  he  appear  in  order  to  accept  this  call,  the  clerk,  and 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Rutelius  shall  request  their  Excellencies,  the  Di- 
rectors, to  call  him;  but  in  case  he  fail  to  appear.  Rev.  Mr.  Cantius 
shall  have  an  interview  with  John  Hormansen  van  Til,  at  Wesop, 
who  had  previously  requested  to  be  examined  and  admitted  to 
licensure  by  our  Classis,  and  to  ascertain  if  he  were  willing  to  go 
to  'New  jfSTetherland  as  pastor.  Upon  this  we  will  take  action 
hereafter,     xx.  155. 


OF  THE  State  of  ^ew  York.  203 

1648 

New  ^N'etherland. 

(1646,  July  9.) 

The  Kev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  reported  that  the  two  breth- 
ren, Ketelius  and  van  der  Poel  have  been  called  to  churches  here 
in  this  country,  and  that  they  cannot  be  made  available  for  the 
church  in  Brazil  or  ]N"ew  I^Tetherland.    xxxix.  141. 

Remonstrances  to  the  XIX. 

1646,  July  9th. 

A  remonstrance  [or  Memorial]  had  been  written  on  account 
of  the  distresses  in  the  Church  in  the  West  Indies.  It  had  been 
handed  in  to  the  Directors  of  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX,  when 
convened  in  Zeeland.  There  had  also  been  a  communication  sent 
to  the  church  of  Zeeland.     iv.  391. 

Remonstrance  to  the  XIX,    (or  to  the  Executive  Committee  of 
the  West  India  Company;  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.) 

1646,  July  9. 

Honorable,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  (Estimable)  Gentlemen:  — 

Inasmuch  as  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  has  hitherto  adjudged 
what  is  proper  for  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel  and  the  salvation 
of  men,  not  only  in  her  own  home  districts,  but  also  among  the 
blind  heathen,  in  lands  under  the  jurisdiction  of  your  Company, 
seeking  to  build  them  up  in  sound  doctrine  and  in  truth:  and 
ever  desirous  to  show  also  all  due  respect  to  your  Honors :     So  that 
same  Classis  in  more  recent  times,  is  still  seeking  these  same  ends 
in  conjunction  with  your  Company.     Therefore,  for  the  glory  of 
God,  and  with  the  most  cordial  good  wishes  for  the  prosperity  of 
your  Company,  she  cannot  neglect  to  make  known  to  your  Assem- 
bly (of  the  XIX)  those  things  which   (being  detrimental?)   she 
would  rather  have  done  by  word  of  mouth.     Nevertheless,  because 
of  distance,  she  finds  herself  compelled  to  do  the  same  in  writing, 
through  her  Deputies.     The  business  consists  principally  of  the 
following  items: 


1646 


204  Ecclesiastical  Records 

I.  First  of  all,  we  do  not  doubt  but  that  it  is  well  known  to  you, 
how  vigorously  the  churches  in  Brazil,  both  in  their  Acts  and  in 
their  letters,  as  well  as  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  through  her 
Deputies,  have  hitherto  complained  of  the  licenses  (for  trade) 
granted  by  you  to  the  Jews,  who  are  the  sworn  enemies  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  perceive  from  the  last  Acts  of  (the  Classis 
of)  Brazil,  in  Article  nineteen,  if  we  understand  it  correctly,  that 
no  improvement,  in  regard  to  said  licenses,  has  taken  place;  but 
in  addition  thereto  —  and  which  fact  grieves  us  not  a  little  —  it 
has  never  hitherto  been  thought  improper  by  the  Hon.  Company, 
to  grant  to  the  Jews  such  liberty.  And  we  conclude  therefrom, 
even  as  we  also  can  gather  from  a  certain  concert  (plan)  concocted 
by  the  Committee  of  the  XIX,  Art.  1041,  that  the  Jews  have  also 
been  allowed  the  free  exercise  of  their  religion  in  Brazil,  although 
under  some  limitations.  We  submit  to  vour  consideration  how 
injurious  such  liberty  granted  to  them,  is  to  the  Christian  Re- 
ligion. For  what  else  can  the  heathen,  and  the  newly  converted 
Christians  in  those  regions  conclude  therefrom,  than  that  our 
continued  zeal  for  the  doctrine  and  the  glory  of  our  Savior  (is 
not  sincere?)  ;  besides,  that  Christianity  and  Judaism  are  not  so 
incompatible  and  antagonistic  to  each  other  as  would  appear  from 
the  reading  of  the  ISTew  Testament.  Do  we  unite  ourselves  for 
some  temporary  gain,  with  such  a  sect,  which  so  completely  scorns 
and  slanders  the  Christian  Religion  ?  and  do  we  grant  them  free- 
dom ?  What !  shall  we  keep  silent  on  such  a  matter  ?  Can  your 
Hon.  Company  expect  it  ?  Does  it  not  appear  from  the  teaching 
of  our  Redeemer,  Matt.  6 :33,  where  He  commands  us  to  seek 
first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteousness,  and  then  promises 
us  that  all  other  things  shall  be  added  unto  us  —  (that  such  union 
is  wrong?) 

So  also  no  pains  have  hitherto  been  spared  either  by  ourselves 
or  by  the  churches  of  Brazil,  to  show  your  Estimables  what  mani- 
fold acts  of  insolence  spring  up  from  your  licensing  Papists  (to 
trade  in  Brazil  ?)  ;  and  what  great  misfortunes  may  be  expected 


OF  THE  State  of  N'ew  York.  205 

1646 

therefrom.  We  learn  not  only  that  such  licenses  still  exist,  but  we 
understand  also,  with  pain  of  heart,  from  Art.  20,  that  the  Hon. 
XIX  have  resolved  that  Papists  shall  continue  to  enjoy  the  exer- 
cise of  their  religion,  as  guaranteed  to  them  by  the  compact.  We 
consider  that  the  connivance  (by  the  authorities  here)  at  the  as- 
sembling of  Papists  here  in  Holland,  to  be  the  reason  of  their 
perseverance  in  their  blindness.  Therefore,  we  are  of  opinion, 
Hon.  Gentlemen,  and  all  pious  ministers  who  have  returned  from 
Brazil  agree  with  us  therein,  that  by  these  grants  of  freedom  to 
the  Papists  there,  the  door  of  their  conversion  has  been  closed. 
He  who  builds  up  with  one  hand  and  breaks  down  with  the  other, 
makes  all  his  labor  and  expense  come  to  naught.  Let  no  one 
hold  such  opinion  at  his  peril.  Let  it  be  your  aim  to  stand  for  the 
exercise  of  no  other  religion  (than  the  Reformed).  All  experience  • 
teaches  the  danger  of  allowing  liberty  to  Papists.  What  concord 
hath  Christ  with  Belial  ?  There  can  be  as  little  agreement  between 
them  as  between  light  and  darkness;  and  we  hold  it  as  certain 
that  unless  your  Assembly,  (of  the  XIX),  first  and  last,  strive 
earnestly  for  the  true  God  and  against  all  the  idolatries  of  the 
Papacy,  God  will  arouse  himself  for  the  vindication  of  his  own 
glory,  and  do  battle  for  the  same,  and  not  to  our  profit. 

That  your  Estimables  should  imagine  that  you  can  keep  their 
insolence  within  due  bounds  by  placing  some  limitations  on  them 
(is  a  great  mistake).  Experience  has  already  and  for  a  long 
time,  taught  us,  that  the  Papacy  cares  not  for  limitations,  and 
keeps  compacts  made  with  it  only  so  far  as  it  suits  them  to  main- 
tain them ;  and  all  this  is  done  under  the  pretext  that  faith  need  not 
be  kept  with  heretics. 

If  now  your  Estimables  will  please  to  take  some  notice  of  their 
own  plans  (concepts)  for  the  year  1641,  and  what  was  considered 
satisfactory  to  them  then;  they  will  discover  from  the  Acts  of 
the  churches  of  Brazil,  and  especially  from  Art.  105  of  the  year 
1644,  and  from  the  Acts  of  some  preceding  years,  what  is  the 
basis  of  these  Articles,  and  that  the  most  important  ones  of  them 


206  ■  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

have  for  a  long  time  been  disregarded  bj  the  Papists.  And  inas- 
much as,  only  recently,  it  was  made  as  clear  as  day,  how  little 
one  can  depend  on  compacts  made  with  Papists :  —  We  trust  that 
your  E&timables,  taking  notice  of  their  faithlessness,  treachery, 
perjury,  riot  and  the  murders  committed  by  them,  will  deny  them 
in  the  future,  all  liberty,  even  in  new  territories  which  you  con- 
quer. Also  that  you  will  take  heed  with  more  Christian  zeal  to 
the  twelve  grievances  of  the  churches  of  Brazil,  which  are  to  be 
found  in  Article  42.  And  besides  all  this,  in  the  execution  of 
these  things,  take  into  proper  consideration  what  is  requested  of 
the  same  (churches  in  Brazil,)  which  are  to  be  found  in  Article  37. 
Por  we  judge  that  by  these  two  suggestions,  misfortunes  experi- 
enced can  be  remedied,  and  future  evils  averted. 

II.  In  the  second  place,  your  Estimables  are  not  unaware  how 
earnestly  the  churches  of  Brazil  complain  of  the  great  scarcity 
of  ministers  among  them.  Prom  this  circumstance  they  are  still 
suffering,  having  obtained  no  redress  to  their  complaints.  The 
Gentlemen  of  the  churches  of  Amsterdam  have  indicated  to  us, 
from  time  to  time,  that  they  were  not  at  fault,  but  had  at  their 
charges  a  greater  number  of  ministers  than  they  needed  to  take, 
according  to  a  certain  equalization  made  among  the  (five)  Cham- 
bers (of  the  West  India  Company).  Furthermore  the  lack  is 
becoming  more  severely  felt.  Purthermore,  they  show  in  Article 
49,  that  besides  the  English  minister,  and  two  ministers  among 
the  Brazilians  there, ISTetherland  ministers  should  re- 
main there ;  yet  of  these,  two  were  thinking  of  departing  with  the 
fleet,  as  appears  from  Art.  58. 

Your  Estimables  can and  fairness,  appreciate  this 

complaint,  to  wit:  That  it  is  not  possible  for  so  few  ministers  to 
take  care  of  so  many  places.  Therefore  we  request  with  them, 
and  in  their  behalf,  that  they  may  be  provided  as  speedily  as 
possible  with  a  sufficient  number  of  ministers,  according  to  their 
request  in  Art.  61 ;  and  especially,  that  they  may  not  be  compelled, 
from  the  very  necessity  of  the  case,  to  make  proponents  and  min- 


OF  THE  State  of  !N"ew  York.  207 

isters  for  themselves.  For  this  appears  to  have  been  done,  ac- 
cording to  Articles  1,  4,  44.  For  your  Estimables  can  easily  under- 
stand, that  they  are  obliged  there  to  take  what  they  can  get,  and 
not  what  they  wish. 

We  would  also  urge  your  Estimables  to  consider  whether  Guinea, 
where  Meyndert  Hendrickse  occupies  the  pastorate,  and  has  made 
a  good  beginning  of  a  (congregation?)  ought  (not?)  to  be  pro- 
vided once  more  with  a  good  minister  ?  Besides  there  is  the  addi- 
tional request  in  Art.  45,  in  reference  to  schoolmasters  and  school- 
mistresses, for  the  instruction  of  youth  in  the  principal  localities. 

III.  Thirdly,  we  cannot  keep  silence  in  regard  to  the  govern- 
ment of  the  churches  in  Brazil.  Those  churches  formerly  requested 
from  the  Hon.  XIX,  and  secured  the  right  to  divide  the  Classis 
into  two  Classes,  with  the  ultimate  design  of  forming  a  Synod 
with  these  two  Classes.  We  cheerfully  confess.  Honorable  Gen- 
tlemen, that  we  were  not  able  to  guess  what  object  they  had  in 
view  with  such  a  plan ;  much  less  could  we  see  what  apprehension 
(benefit?)  they  could  hope  therefrom.  But  we  could  easily  see 
that  instead,  only  discord  and  alienations  would  arise  therefrom. 
And  now  they  themselves  begin  to  fear  these  same  things.  They 
are  therefore  themselves  making  request  to  restore  their  Assembly 
back  into  a  single  Classis,  which  is  to  be  the  highest  ecclesiastical 
Assembly  in  Brazil.  See  Arts.  7,  8,  49.  We  trust  that  your  Esti- 
mables will  not  deny  them  so  small  a  matter  as  this.  It  will  pro- 
duce no  injustice,  but  promote  better  order,  closer  union  among 
the  ministers  there,  and  fewer  difficulties  for  your  Hon.  Com- 
pany. 

Of  a  like  nature  is  their  request,  to  be  allowed  to  correspond 
with  all  the  different  Provincial  Synod&  in  this  country  (Hol- 
land;) offering  to  send  their  (Ecclesiastical)  Acts  to  all  theso 
Synods,  upon  condition  of  receiving  copies  of  theirs  in  return. 
This. action  was  taken  in  1644,  Art.  14.  But  such  a  course  is 
not  necessary,  and  would  certainly  be  productive  of  harm.     We 


1646 


1646 


208  Ecclesiastical  Records 

have,  therefore,  for  important  reasons,  strongly  advised  against 
such  permission,  as  appears  from  Art.  24. 

But  inasmuch  as,  according  to  Art.  52,  it  appears  that  they 
are  determined  to  keep  this  matter  open,  (lit.  to  leave  it  in  statu) 
until  the  decision  of  the  Hon.  XIX,  shall  reach  them:  There^ 
fore  it  is  our  loving  request,  that  your  Estimables  will  be  pleased 
to  allow  the  former  custom  to  continue,  namely ;  that  the  churches 
of  your  conquered  territories,  shall  correspond  only  with  those 
Classes,  within  whose  boundaries  the  Chambers  of  the  Companies 
are  located ;  for  with  such  they  are  in  closest  communication,  both 
as  to  order,  and  church  government.  For  out  of  such  a  widely 
extended  correspondence,  nothing  else  could  result  than  estrange- 
ment in  different  matters,  and  very  tardy  help  for  the  churches. 
For  gifts  which  are  provided  by  many,  would  be  slower  than  those 
which  are  provided  by  a  few. 

And  whereas  it  is  sufficiently  plain  from  their  Ecclesiastical 
Acts,  that  they  are  now  mostly  inclined  to  correspondence  with 
a  single  Synod  (to  correspondence  on  a  single  footing)  ;  and  in- 
asmuch as,  in  Art.  63,  they  make  request  only  for  the  Acts  of  the 
Synod  of  JSTorth  Holland  from  1640  to  the  present  time  (1646)  ; 
and,  inasmuch  as,  before  1640,  the  Acts  of  that  Synod  (of  IN'orth 
Holland)  were  sent  them,  through  the  favor  of  your  Estimables: 
So  we  request  that  the  same  may  thus  be  continued  to  be  sent,  and 
which  will  furnish  them  all  good  aid  in  reference  to  matters  of 
church  government. 

ISTow  all  these  things.  Estimable,  Wise  and  Prudent  Gentlemen, 
which  are  also  especially  important,  we  feel  that  we  must  make 
known  to  your  Estimables,  in  accordance  with  our  commission. 
We  lay  them  before  your  Estimables  by  these  presents.  This  is 
done  from  a  just  zeal  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  a  sincere  desire 
for  the  prosperity  of  your  Hon.  Company.  We  trust  that  your 
Estimables  will  regard  them  in  no  other  light,  and  will  receive 
them  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord;  and  that  you  will  render  your  de- 
cision thereon,  unto  the  glory  of  God's  Holy  ISTame  and  the  best 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  209 

interests  of  his  Church.  We  respectfully  request  that  your  Esti- 
mables  will  let  the  churches  of  Brazil  know  of  your  reply,  long 
desired  by  them. 

Trusting  to  such  a  result,  (lit.,  leaving  ourselves  to  this),  we, 
in  the  meantime,  wish  your  Estimables  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and 
prudence  and  courage  in  your  burdensome  and  anxious  affairs. 
We  pray  God  to  frustrate  all  evil  machinations  against  your  Hon. 
Company,  and  follow  up  your  good  decision  with  his  pure  and 
rich  blessings ;  and  that  you  may  be  a  Wise  Counselor  for  great 
success  and  prosperity,  to  the  glory  of  his  great  Name,  through 
Jesus  Christ,     iv.  391 ;  xxxix.  141-143. 

Commission  of  Petee  Stuyvesant  as  Director  General  of 

New  Netherland. 

1646,  July  28. 

From  the  Commissie-book  of  the  States  General  in  the  Roval  Ar- 
chives  at  the  Hague.  Commission  for  Petrus  Stuyvesant  as 
Director  on  the  Coast  of  New  Netherland,  as  w^ell  as  the  Island 
of  Curacoa,  and  the  places  thereupon  depending.  ' 

The  States  General  of  the  United  Netherlands  to  all  those  to 
whom  these  Presents  shall  come,  or  who  shall  hear  them  read, 
Health.  BE  IT  KNOWN:  Whereas  We  have  deemed  it  ad- 
visable for  the  advancement  of  the  affairs  of  the  General  Incor- 
porated West  India  Company,  not  only  to  maintain  the  trade  and 
population  on  the  coast  of  New  Netherland  and  the  places  situate 
thereabout;  also,  the  Islands  Curacoa,  Beunaire,  Aruba  and  their 
dependencies,  which  have  hitherto  been  encouraged  thither  from 
this  country;  but  also  to  make  new  treaties  and  alliances  with 
foreign  princes  and  to  inflict  as  much  injury  as  possible  on  the 
enemy  in  his  forts  and  strongholds,  as  well  by  sea  as  by  land; 
for  which  purposes  it  becomes  necessary  to  appoint  a  person  Di- 
rector; We,  therefore,  confiding  in  the  probity  and  experience  of 
Petrus  Stuyvesant,  formerly  entrusted  with  Our  affairs  in,  and 
the  government  of,  the  aforesaid  Island  of  Curacoa  and  the  places 

14 


i64e 


1646 


210  Ecclesiastical  Records 

thereon  depending,  We,  being  well  pleased  with  his  services  there, 
have  commissioned  and  appointed,  and  by  these  presents  do  com- 
mission and  appoint  the  said  Petrns  Stujvesant,  Director  in  the 
aforesaid  countries  of  "New  l^etherland,  and  the  places  thereunto 
adjoining,  together  with  the  aforementioned  Islands  of  Curacoa, 
Beunaire,  Aruba,  and  their  dependencies ;  to  administer,  with 
the  Council  as  well  now  as  hereafter  appointed  with  him,  the 
said  office  of  Director,  both  on  water  and  on  land,  and  in  said 
quality,  to  attend  carefully  to  the  advancement,  promotion  and 
preservation  of  friendship,  alliances,  trade  and  commerce;  to  di- 
rect all  matters  appertaining  to  traffic  and  war,  and  to  maintain, 
in  all  things  there,  good  order  for  the  service  of  the  United  [N'eth- 
erlands  and  the  General  West  India  Company;  to  establish  regu- 
larity for  the  safeguard  of  the  places  and  forts  therein ;  to  admin- 
ister law  and  justice  as  well  civil  as  criminal;  and,  moreover,  to 
perform  all  that  concerns  his  office  and  duties  in  accordance  with 
the  Charter,  and  the  general  and  particular  instructions  herewith 
given,  and  to  be  hereafter  given  him,  as  a  good  and  faithful 
Director  is  bound  and  obliged,  by  his  oath  in  Our  hands  to  do; 
"^^ich  done.  We,  therefore,  order  and  command  all  other  officers, 
common  soldiers,  together  with,  the  inhabitants  and  natives  resid- 
ing in  the  aforesaid  places  as  subjects,  and  all  whom  it  may  con- 
cern, to  acknowledge,  respect  and  obey  the  said  Petrus  Stuyvesant 
as  Our  Director  in  the  countries  and  places  of  New  IN'etherland, 
and  in  the  Islands  of  Curacao,  Beunaire,  Aruba,  and  their  de- 
pendencies, and  to  afford  all  help,  countenance  and  assistance  in 
the  performance  of  these  things,  as  We  have  found  the  same  to  be 
for  the  advantage  of  the  Company.  Done  in  Our  Assembly  at 
the  Hague,  on  the  xxviii.  July,  1646. —  Col.  Docs.  i.  178. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Extract. 

1646.     There  were  read  by  Rev,  Mourcourtius  the  extracts  re- 
garding the  affairs  of  the  East  and  West  Indian  Churches,  which 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  211 

will  be  exhibited  at  the  next  meeting  of  Synod,     iv.  394;  xxxix. 
143. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

Rev.    Simon   Welmerdonckius   in   the    Chair. 

1646,  July  28th. 

Whereas  the  two  ministers,  Revs.  Ketelius  and  Van  der  Poel, 
have  declined  accepting  the  proposed  calls  to  IsTew  Netherland, 
both  having  received  calls  in  this  country,  and  have  returned 
their  thanks  to  our  Assembly;  and  as  it  has  been  understood  from 
their  Excellencies,  the  Directors,  that  they  will  inquire  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Bogardus,  who  is  still  over  there,  whether  he  is  not  willing 
to  remain:  therefore  the  Assembly  postpones  this  subject  for  the 
present,     xx.  157. 

Synod  of  JSToeth  Holi^i^d,  at  Amsterdam. 
Art.  22.     Plan  as  to  East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

1646,  Aug.  7  et  seq. 

Regarding  Art.  20  (1645),  touching  the  Plan  as  to  the  East 
and  West  India  Affairs:  It  is  understood  that  the  Rev.  Svnod 
of  Gelderland  does  not  as  yet  accept  that  Plan;  the  Synod  of 
Utrecht  accepts  it,  with  the  reservation  that  they  may  retain  the 
privilege  of  themselves  directly  presenting  and  recommending 
ministers  and  siekentroosters  to  the  Messrs.  Directors.  Those 
of  the  Synod  of  Friesland,  who  heretofore  were  in  harmony  with 
us,  or  at  least  acquiesced,  now  put  forward  the  same  obstacle  as 
those  of  the  Synod  of  Utrecht.  The  Rev.  Synod  of  Overyssel 
persists  in  its  former  complaint,  with  especial  protest  against 
all  misfortunes  which  might  arise  on  this  account.  Those  of 
the  Synods  of  Groningen  and  Omjnelanden,  agreed  before  to  the 
Plan,  and  hold  to  it  yet.  Whereupon  it  was  resolved  to  take  up 
this  whole  subject  ad  notam,  and  to  inform  the  several  Classes  of 
our  Synod  thereof,  in  order  to  see  what  further  action  must  be 
had  in  this  matter;  meantime  the  Rev.  Deputati  of  our  Synod  shall 


1646 


1646 


212  Ecclesiastical  Records 

also  communicate  the  same  to  the  Eev.  Deputati  of  South  Hol- 
land; and  the  Rev.  Brethren  ad  correspondentias  shall  be  charged 
on  this  point  to  insist  with  all  earnestness  before  the  Synods  ob- 
jecting, and  seek  to  induce  them  mth  good  arguments,  so  that 
by  all  means  the  proposed  Plan  may  be  accepted  by  all. 

Article  23. 

Arrived  there  (Brazil)  Rev.  Henricus  Hermannius,  minister 
of  Greuningen.  Siekentroosters  sent:  Abraham  Henrixse  Duy- 
senpoort,  to  Brazil;  John  Walraven,  as  siekentrooster  and  school 
master  to  "New  ]^etherland. 

Those  of  Hoom  had  nothing  to  report  at  present. 

Those  of  Enkhuysen  had  only  this;  that  by  their  Rev.  Classis 
had  been  sent  during  the  current  year,  as  Krankenbesoeker,  to- 
Brazil,  Eranciscus  Henrixsen  Huppelen. 

ISTetv  ISTethesland,  Coverii^g  the  Years  1641-1646. 

[This  covers  six  years  in  tlie  latter  part  of  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Everardua 
Bogardus,   1633-1647.— From  the  Journal  of  New   Netherland.] 

There  is  first  given  a  description  of  the  country,  as  to  its  location,  geographical 
features,  climate,  animals,  and  native  inhabitants.  Concerning  the  natives,  th& 
following  is  said: 

"  The  Indians  are  of  ordinary  stature,  strong  and  broad  shouldered;  olive  color, 
light  and  nimble  of  foot,  subtle  in  disposition,  of  few  words,  which  they  previously 
well  consider;  hypocritical,  treacherous,  vindictive,  brave  and  pertinacious  in  self 
defense;  in  time  of  need,  resolute  to  die.  They  seem  to  despise  all  the  torments 
that  can  be  inflicted  on  them,  and  do  not  utter  a  single  moan;  they  go  almost 
naked,  except  a  flap  which  hangs  before  their  nakedness;  and  on  their  shoulders 
a  deer  skin,  or  a  mantle,  a  fathom  square,  of  woven  turkey  feathers,  or  of  peltries 
aewed  together;  they  make  use  now  generally  of  blue  or  red  (duffels),  In  conse- 
quence of  the  frequent  visits  of  the  Christians.  In  winter  they  make  shoes  of 
deer  skin,  manufactured  after  their  fashion.  Except  their  chiefs,  they  have  gen- 
erally but  one  wife  whom  they  frequently  change  according  to  caprice;  she  must 
do  all  the  work,  plant  corn  and  cut  wood,  and  attend  to  whatever  else  Is  to  be 
done.  The  Indians  are  divided  Into  various  nations.  They  differ  even  In  language, 
which  would  be  altogether  too  long  to  be  related  in  this  brief  space.  They  dwell 
together,  mostly  from  friendship,  in  tribes  commanded  by  a  chief,  who  is  the 
General,  and  usually  called  Sackema;  he  does  not  possess  much  authority  and 
but  little  distinction,  unless  In  their  dances  and  other  ceremonies.  They  have 
hardly  any  knowledge  of  God;  no  Divine  Worship,  no  law,  no  justice;  the  strongest 
does  what  he  pleases,  and  the  young  men  are  masters.  Their  weapons  are  the 
bow  and  arrow.  In  the  use  of  which  they  are  wonderful  adepts.  Hunting  and 
fishing,  in  addition  to  the  maize  which  the  women  plant,  furnish  them  food." 

Then  follows  a  General  Review  of  the  Dutch  Colony  from  1623-1641;  by  whom,., 
and  how,  It  was  peopled. 


OF  THE  State  of  ^ew  York.  213 

"  The  subjects  of  the  Lords  States  General,   had  frequented  this  country  a  long 
time  ago,   solely  for  the   purpose  of  the  fur  trade.     Since  the  year  1623,  the  In- 
corporated West  India  Company  caused  four  forts  to  be  erected,  two  on  the  River 
Mauritius,   and  one  on  each  side  of  the  others;   the   largest,  which  their  Honors 
named   New  Amsterdam,   stands  on   the  point  formed   by   the   Mauritius   and  the 
other  river  already  mentioned;  six  and  thirty  (Dutch)  miles  higher  up,   is  another 
fort  called  Orange;  that  on  the  South  river  is  named  Nassau w;  and  that  on  the 
Fresh  river,  the  Good  Hope;  In  which  the  Company  hath  since  continually  main- 
tained garrisons.     In  the  beginning,    their  Honors  sent  thither   a   certain   number 
of  eettlers,  and  caused  to  be  erected  at  great  expense,  three  saw  mills,  which  never 
realized  any  profit  of  consequence,  on  account  of  their  great  charge;  a  great  deal 
of  money   was  also   expended  for  the  advancement  of  the  country,    but   it   never 
began  to  be  settled  until  every  oue  was  permitted  to  trade  with  the  Indians,  inas- 
much as,  up  to  that  time,  no  one  calculated  to  remain  there  longer  than  the  ex- 
piration of  his  bounden  time,  and  therefore  did  not  apply  himself  to  agriculture; 
yea,  even  the  Colonie  of  Renselaerswyck  was  of  little  consequence.     But  as  soon 
as  the  trade  was  opened,  many  servants  who  had  prospered  under  the   Company 
applied  for  their  discharge,  built  houses  and  formed  plantations,  spread  themselves 
far  and  wide,  each  seeking  the  best  land,  and  to  be  nearest  to  the  Indians,  in  order 
thus  to  trade  with  them  advantageously;  others  bought  sloops  with  which  to  sell 
goods  at  the  north  and  at  the  south,  and  as  the  Directors  gave  free  passage  from 
Holland  thither,  that  also  caused  many  to  come.     On  the  other  hand,  the  English 
came  both  from  Virginia  and  New  England,  on  account  of  the  good  opportunity 
to  plant  tobacco  here;  first,  divers  servants,  whose  time  had  expired;  afterwards, 
families,    and   finally,    entire   colonies,   having  been   forced   to   quit  that  place,    in 
order  to  enjoy  freedom  of  conscience,   and  to  escape  from  the  insupportable  gov- 
«?rnment  of  New  England;    and   because  many  more   commodities    were   to   be   ob- 
tained  here  and  there;    so  that   in  place   of  seven  bouweries   and   two  and   three 
plantations  which  were  here,  thirty  bouweries  were  to  be  seen  as  well  cultivated 
and  stocked  as  In  Europe,   (and)  one  hundred  plantations  which,  In  two  or  three 
(years)   would   become   regular  bouweries;   for  after  the  tobacco   was   out  of   the 
ground,  corn  was  planted  there  without  ploughing,   and  the  winter  was  employed 
preparing   new  lands.      The  English  colonies  had   settled   under  us   by   patent   on 
equal  terms  with  the  others.     Each  of  these  was  In  appearance  not  less  than  one 
hundi'ed  families   strong,    exclusive  of  the   Colonie   of   Rensselaerswyck,    which  Is 
prospering,  with  that  of  Myndert  Meyndertsz  and  Cornells  Melyn,  who  began  first. 
Also  the  village  of  New  Amsterdam  around  the  fort,  one  hundred  families,  so  that 
there  was  appearance  of  producing  supplies  in  a  year  for  fourteen  thousand  souls, 
without  straightening  the  country,  and  had  there  not  been  a  want  of  laborers  or 
farm  servants,  twice  as  much  could  be  raised,  considering  that  fifty  lasts  of  rye 
and  fifty  lasts  of  peas  were  still  remaining  around  the  fort,  after  a  large  quantity 
had  been  burnt  and  destroyed  by  the  Indians,  who  In  a  short  time  quickly  brought 
this  country  to  nought  and  had  well  nigh  destroyed  this  bright  hope,  in  the  manner 
following." 

Then  comes  an  account  of  the  Causes  and  Consequences  of  the  New  Netherland 
War;  pages,  181-8.  (For  this,  see  also  O'Callaghan  and  Brodhead.)  A  series  of 
papers  followed  this,  marked  from  A  to  R,  relating  to  the  condition  of  New 
Netherland,  1643-1647.  Among  these  occur  several  series  of  questions,  under  M., 
addressed  to  different  officials,  about  the  origin  of  the  War.  The  following  were 
addressed  to  Domlne  Bogardus: 

Interrogatories  for  the  Reverend  Everardus  Bogardus,  Minister  of  the  flock  of 
Jesus  Christ  here  on  the  Manhatans.     p.  200. 

Article  1. 

Was  not  your  Reverence  In  the  room  with  the  late  Director  General  Kleft  when 
the    three    men,    namely,    Maryn     Adrlaensen,    Jan    Claessen    Daem,    and    Abram 


1646 


1646 


214  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Planck,   presented  their  petition  respecting  the  demand   for  the   war  against  the 
Natives? 

Article   2. 

Is  the  conversation  between  Mr.  Kleft  and  the  three  men  on  that  occasion  still 
fresh   In   your    Reverence's   memory? 

Article   3. 

Can  he.  the  witness,  conscientiously  and  solemnly  declare  before  God,  verbally 
or  in  writing,  ail  that  then  transpired  In  the  room,  between  these  five  persons, 
respecting  the  War?  —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iv.  4-11:  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  1.  179-188. 

Order  Directing  the  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus  to  deliver  to  the  Council  a  BUI  of 
Exchange,  given  by  the  Swedish  Governor  at  the  South  River  for  goods  sold 
there  by  one   Sandelyn  contrary  to  Law.     Sept.  21,   1646. 

Whereas  the  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  have 
received  certain  Information,  that  Jacob  Evertsen  Sandelyn,  master  of  the  Ship 
"  Scotch  Dutchman  "  has,  without  order  and  commission  from  the  Incorporated 
West  India  Company,  Department  of  Amsterdam,  come  into  the  South  River  of 
New  Netherland  with  the  aforesaid  ship  and  there  sold  a  parcel  of  duffel  cloth 
and  other  goods  to  the  Swedish  Governor,  for  which  he  has  received  from  said 
Governor  a  bill  of  exchange  amounting  to  the  sum  of  twenty  five  hundred  guilders, 
which  bill  of  exchange  and  letter  of  advice  have  been  handed  by  Laurens  Laurensen 
from  Vleckeren  to  Everardus  Bogardus,  minister  here,  to  be  transmitted  to  Holland 
and  whereas  this  tends  to  the  great  prejudice  of  the  Company  and  the  serious 
injury  of  this  country,  We  therefore  hereby  order  said  Bogardus  to  deliver  up 
immediately  into  our  hands  the  abovementioned  bill  handed  him  by  Laurens 
Laurensen  or  to  declare  Into  whose  hands  he  has  delivered  it.  In  default  thereof 
said  Bogardus  shall  be  held  responsible  for  all  damages  and  losses,  which  the 
Honorable  Company  shall  suffer  hereby  and  be  considered  an  accessory  of  those, 
who  endeavour  to  defraud  the  Honorable  Company  of  its  revenue  and  seek  to  ruin 
the  country. 

Thus  done  in  Council  in  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  the  21st  of  Sep- 
tember Anno  1646.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  26,  27. 

FATHER  JOGUES.— HIS   DEATH. 

1646,   May  16. 

Father  Jogues  remained  but  a  few  months  in  his  native  country.  On  his  return 
to  Canada,  he  was  commissioned  by  the  Governor  of  that  province  to  proceed  to 
the  Mohawks,  to  congratulate  that  tribe  on  the  conclusion  of  a  recently  negotiated 
treaty.  He  sat  out  with  some  Indians  for  the  scene  of  his  former  sufferings  in  com- 
pany with  Sleur  Bourdon,  royal  engineer,  and  arrived  on  the  festival  of  Corpus 
Chrlstl,  at  Lake  Andlatorocte,  to  which,  in  honor  of  the  day,  he  gave  the  name  of 
the  Lake  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament.  Embarking,  soon  after,  on  the  waters  of 
Oiogue,  ("  called  by  the  Dutch  the  River  Mauritius,")  they  at  length  arrived  at 
Fort  Orange.  June  4,  where  they  were  most  hospitibly  received,  and  after  a  short 
sojourn  proceeded  to  Oneugioure,  the  first  castle  of  the  Mohawks.  Presents  were 
here  exchanged  In  ratification  of  the  peace;  the  French  received  every  assurance 
of  future  welcome,  and  took  their  leave  June  16,  much  gratified  at  the  friendly 
manner  in  which  they  had  been  treated. 

Encouraged  now  by  the  hope  that  a  way  ^jvas  at  length  open  for  the  light  of 
Christianity,  Jogues  again  returned  to  the  Mohawk  country.  Superstition,  the  hand- 
maid of  ignorance,  was  busy  in  the  meantime  arousing  the  prejudice  of  the  savages 
against  him.  At  his  departure  in  June  he  left  with  his  hosts,  as  a  guarantee  of  his 
return,  a  small  box  containing  some  necessaries  for  which  he  should  have  occasion. 


■'7  /  All 


'■— «si^'"'";i,»^»»»*'"' 


Father  Isaac  Jogues. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  215 

sickness  unfortunately  broke  out  during  his  absence  among  the  tribe,  and  the  worm 
destroyed  their  harvest.  They  became  now  convinced  that  he  had  left  the  Evil  One 
in  that  box,  and  on  his  re-appearance  among  them,  they  stripped  him  of  his  clothing, 
Oct.  17,  beat  him  with  heavy  clubs,  and,  as  he  was  entering  a  wigwam  to  supper, 
he  was  treacherously  felled  with  an  axe,  his  head  cut  off  and  stuck  on  the  palisades, 
and  his  sainted  body  flung  into  the  river,  Oct.  18.  The  Mohawk  country  is  known 
since  in  Catholic  annals  as  "  The  Mission  of  the  Martyrs."*  —  O'Callaghan,  ii.  299, 
.^.00. 

Note  of  Hand  to  the  Deacons  of  the  Church  of  Rensselaerswyck,   Anno  1647. 

I,  the  undersigned,  Anthonie  de  Hooges,  have,  on  the  part  of  the  Noble  Patroon 
of  the  Colonic  Rensselaerswyck,  borrowed  from  the  Diaconie  of  the  aforesaid 
place,  for  the  term  of  one  year,  to  be  repaid  in  cash,  at  the  option  of  the  lenders, 
with  ten  per  cent  interest  per  annum,  the  sum  of  three  hundred  guilders  in  seawan, 
whereof  one  hundred  and  twenty  is  in  ordinary  seawan,  promising  thankfully  to 
produce  at  the  aforesaid  time,  in  stated  specie  aforesaid,  to  the  Diaconie  of  the 
aforesaid  place.  In  testimony  whereof,  have  I  subscribed  this  Acte  with  mine 
own  hand.  Actum  R.  Wyck,  9th  May,  1647.—  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New 
Netherland,  Vol.  i.  471. 

*  Relation,  1645-6.,  59;  lb.  1647.,  6,  7,  125,  127,  128;  Creuxius,  457.  Father  Jogues* 
Missal,  Ritual,  and  a  few  of  his  clothes,  were  afterwards  presented  by  the  savages 
to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Megapolensis. 


1646 


1647- 
1664 


216  Ecclesiastical  Records 

ADMIXISTRATIOIS^  OF  PETER  STUYVESAj^T. 

May  11,  1G47  — 16G4,   Sept.   5. 

Resigi^ation  of  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus. 

Note  of  Valentine  on  Bogardus. —  Everardus  Bogardus,  domine,  the  first  estab- 
lished clergyman  in  this  city,  arrived  here  in  1633.  A  church,  constructed  of  wood, 
was  erected  for  him  on  the  present  north  side  of  Pearl  street,  between  Whitehall 
and  Broad  streets.  This  edifice  being  exposed  to  an  assault,  should  the  Indians 
surprise  the  community  while  at  their  devotions,  was  abandoned  in  the  time  of  the 
Indian  War  of  1642,  at  which  time  a  church  was  erected  within  the  walls  of  the 
fort,  where  Domine  Bogardus  afterwards  officiated.  He  married  in  this  city  the 
widow  of  Roelof  Jansen,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers.  This  lady  owned,  in  right  of 
her  former  husband,  a  farm  on  the  North  river,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  present 
Canal  street,  containing  sixty  two  acres,  which  had  been  granted  to  Mr.  Jansen  in 
1636.  At  the  time  of  her  marriage  to  Domine  Bogardus  she  had  four  children,  and 
by  Domine  Bogardus  she  had  also  four  children.  This  farm  was,  in  the  year  1671, 
conveyed  by  the  heirs,  with  the  exception  of  one  of  her  sons,  Cornelius,  to  Governor 
Lovelace,  and  became  afterwards  the  property  of  Trinity  Church.  Her  son  Cor- 
nelius, not  having  joined  in  the  conveyance,  his  heirs  claim  one  eighth  interest  In 
this  valuable  property,  which  has  been  the  subject  of  litigation  for  many  years,  and 
is  well  known  as  the  "Anneke  Jans'  suit  ".  The  residence  of  Domine  Bogardus  In 
this  city  was  on  the  present  Whitehall  street,  east  side,  between  Bridge  and  Stone 
streets.  Having  embarked  on  board  the  ship  Princess  in  the  year  1647,  on  a  visit 
to  his  fatherland,  the  vessel  was  cast  away  on  the  English  coast,  and  Mr.  Bogardus, 
with  more  than  eighty  others,  perished.  He  was  succeeded  in  the  pastoral  charge  of 
the  Dutch  congregation  in  this  city  by  the  Rev.  Johannes  Backerus.  It  was  to  be  re- 
marked that  the  original  name  of  the  family  was  Bogart  or  Bogaert,  the  termina- 
tion us,  assumed  by  him  being  then  a  common  custom  among  clergymen  and  other 
professors  of  learning,  as  giving  a  classical  distinction  to  the  ordinary  name.  The 
name  of  his  successor  was  originally  "  Backer  ",  or  it  would  be  called  in  English, 
the  Rev.  John  Baker.  Subsequently,  In  this  city,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Megapolensis, 
Drlsslus,  Sellnus  and  others,  held  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  congregation. —  Valen- 
tine's New  York,  pp.  131-133. 

1&47. 

Note  of  O'Callaghan  on  the  times. —  "  Where  the  shepherd  errs  the  sheep 
go  astray."  Drunkenness  and  broils  were  of  common  occurrence.  The  people  were 
"  without  discipline,  and  approaching  to  a  savage  state."  "  A  fourth  part  of  the 
city  of  New  Amsterdam  consisted  of  grogshops  and  houses  where  nothing  Is  to  be 
got  but  tobacco  and  beer."  Religion  and  education  felt  the  baneful  effects  of  these 
evil  Influences.  The  church  which  had  been  commenced  in  1642,  remained  still  un- 
finished, as  if  the  country  were  without  timber  or  a  sawmill.  The  Director  General 
being  distressed  for  money,  applied  to  his  own  use  the  fines  and  forfeitures  which 
had  been  appropriated  to  aid  the  completion  of  this  sacred  edifice.* 

In  the  meanwhile  no  efforts  were  made  to  convert  the  heathen,  between  whom 
and  the  settlers  an  unlicensed  Intercourse  generally  prevailed.  And,  though  a  col- 
lege had  been  founded  in  Massachusetts  some  nine  years  before,  the  authorities  of 

•  Alb.  Rec.  11.,  160,  190,  262,  369;  iv.,  1;  vll.,  28,  29,  38,  300.  Van  der  Donck's  Ver- 
toogh,  c.  xi.  Wei  is  waer  dat  den  Dlrecteur  Kieft,  verlegen  synde  om  gelt,  in  syn 
buys  hadde  hangen  een  bos,  daer  de  Diakenen  een  sleutel  van  hadden,  daerin  alle 
cleyne  breuken  en  boeten,  die  op  de  rechtdagen  voor  vielen  gesteken  waren;  met 
kennisse  van  de  diaconen  heeft  geopent,  en  't  gelt  dat  een  moye  somme  was,  op 
intresr  genomen. —  Van  Tienhoven  Cort  Bericht. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  Yoek.  217 

New  Netherland  made  little  or  no  effort,  up  to  this  time,  to  establish  a  common 
primary  school  in  any  part  of  this  country.  Some  subscriptions  had  been  entered 
Into  by  the  commonalty  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  school-house  in  New  Amster- 
dam, but  their  funds  were  also  misappropriated,  and  this  laudable  undertaking 
failed  in  consequence. 

Such  was  the  state  of  disorganization  into  which  the  public  affairs  had  fallen, 
when  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  assumed  the  government  of  New  Netherland. — 
O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  i.  395,  396. 

Death  of  Rev.  Eveeakdus  Bogardus. 

1647. 

Having  thus  triumphed,  and  achieved  what  he  considered  ample  vengeance  over 
his  enemies,  Kieft  prepared  to  depart  for  Fatherland.  The  Rev.  Everardus  Bogar- 
dus had  already  resigned  his  office  as  pastor  of  New  Amsterdam,  and  had  obtained 
permission  to  return  home,  and  Fiscal  Van  der  Huyghens  was  about  to  accompany 
his  late  chief.  They  embarked  in  the  Princess,  Kieft  taking  with  him  specimens 
of  his  tested  minerals,  and  a  cargo  estimated  at  twenty  thousand  pounds.  On  the 
passage  home,  the  mariners  mistook  the  channel,  entered  the  Severn,  and  were  cast 
away  on  the  coast  of  Wales,  near  Swansea.  Eighty  one  souls,  men,  women,  and 
children,  perished  in  that  unfortunate  vessel,  and  of  the  cargo  nothing  was  saved 
but  a  few  furs.  "  I  told  Willem  Kieft,"  said  De  Vries,  in  1643,  "  that  I  doubted 
not  that  vengeance  for  the  innocent  blood  which  he  had  shed  in  his  murderings, 
would,  sooner  or  later,  come  on  his  head."  This  prophecy  was  fulflllea  with  awful 
precision,  overwhelming  alike  friend  and  foe,  the  innocent  and  the  guilty.  Kieft, 
Van  der  Huyghens,  and  Bogardus  perished  in  this  dreadful  shipwreck;  the  last 
mentioned  leaving  a  widow  and  a  large  family  to  lament  his  loss. 

A  misfortune  so  terrible,  might  be  expected  to  have  excited  sympathy  and  sorrow 
in  all  hearts.  But  strange  as  it  may  seem,  all  looked  upon  Kieft's  death  as  an  act 
of  retributive  justice.  In  New  England,  it  was  considered  "  that  the  solemn  provi- 
dence of  God  had  appeared  therein,  to  bear  witness  against  those  who  had  so  many 
years  injured  his  own  people  in  those  parts,  which  some  could  not  pass  by  without 
due  acknowledgment  and  observation."  He  sunk  into  his  watery  grave,  unlamented 
even  by  those  in  whose  service  he  had  passed  ten  years,  who  now  were  of  opinion, 
that  it  had  been  better  had  he  been  obliged,  by  himself  or  his  friends,  to  justify 
his  conduct. 

The  vacancy  created  In  the  ministry,  by  the  retirement  of  Domlne  Bogardus,  was 
filled  by  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Johannes  Backerus,  formerly  pastor  at  Cura- 
coa.  The  salary  of  this  clergyman  was  one  hundred  guilders  per  month,  and  two 
hundred  guilders  per  annum  for  board,  a  stipend  equal  to  five  hundred  and  sixty 
dollars.  With  all  this  he  was  still  unwilling  to  remain.  He  had,  therefore,  the 
promise  that  another  minister  should  be  appointed  in  his  place,  if  his  Indisposition 
to  remain  in  the  county  continvied.  But  if  the  Director  should  not  deem  his  removal 
advisable,  then  his  allowance  for  board  was  to  be  increased. —  O'Callaghan's  His- 
tory of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  11.  34,  35,  36. 

Note  on  Annetje  Jans,  widow  of  domine  Bogardus. —  Annetje  Jans,  widow  of 
Domine  Bogardus,  survived  her  husband  nearly  sixteen  years.  She  died  in  Bever- 
wyck,  in  1663.  She  had  by  her  first  marriage,  Sarah  Roeloflfsen,  (who  married  Sur- 
geon Hans  Klerstede;)  Catrina  Roeloffsen,  (who  married  Johannes  Van  Burgh;) 
Fytje  Roeloffsen,  (who  married  Pieter  Hartgers;)  and  one  son,  Jan,  unmarried 
at  his  mother's  death.  By  her  second  husband,  she  had  "Willem,  Cornells, 
Jonas,  and  Pieter  Bogardus.  All  her  property  real  and  personal,  was  by 
will,  (dated  29th  January,  1663,  and  of  record  in  the  original  Dutch  in  Albany,) 
divided  equally  among  her  children,  on  condition  that  the  four  first  named  should 
receive  one  thousand  guilders  from  the  proceeds  of  the  farm  which  she  owned  on 
the  North  River,  Manhattan  Island.  This  farm,  called  "  the  Domine's  Bowery." 
contained  sixty  two  acres,   and  was  granted  originally  to  Roelofif  Jansen,   in  1636, 


1647 


1647 


218  Ecclesiastical  Records 

confirmed  to  his  widow  and  heirs  in  1654,  and  again  to  the  latter,  in  1667.  On  the 
9th  March,  1671,  Willem  Bogardus,  for  himself  and  brothers,  Jan  and  Jonas,  and 
two  of  Annetje  Jans'  sons-in-law,  (acting  in  right  of  their  wives,  and  by  assignment 
of  Peter  Bogardus,)  conveyed  this  Bowery  to  Col.  Francis  Lovelace,  then  Governor 
of  New  York,  from  whom,  it  is  inferred,  the  title  passed  to  the  Duke  of  York  and 
the  Crown,  after  which,  it  formed  part  of  what  was,  successively,  called  "  the 
Duke's  Farm,"  "  the  King's  Farm,"  and  "  the  Queen's  Farm."  In  the  year  1705, 
this  last  was  conveyed  by  Letters  Patent,  under  the  great  seal  of  the  province,  to 
the  Corporation  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  in  whose  possession  it  has  since,  for 
the  most  part,  been.  The  Bogardus  Farm,  or  the  Domine's  Bowery,  extended  from 
a  line  a  little  south  of  the  present  Warren  Street,  forming  an  irregular  triangle, 
having  Its  base  on  the  River,  running,  however,  along  Broadway,  only  from  Warren 
to  Duane.  Cornells  Bogardus,  third  son  of  Annetje  Jans,  not  having  been  a  party 
to  the  conveyance  to  Governor  Lovelace,  his  heirs  claim  a  share  of  this  extensive 
property;  the  prosecution  of  which  has  formed  the  subject  of  various,  though  un- 
successful suits  in  Chancery  against  the  Church.  (Paige's  Chan.  Reports,  iv.  178; 
Opinion  of  the  Hon.  Vice  Chan.  Sanford  in  re  Bogardus  et  al.  vs.  Trinity  Church; 
New  York,  1847,  8vo.  pp.  40.)  The  Rev.  Domine  Bogardus  held  a  tract  of  land  also 
on  the  north  side  of  Mespath's  Kill,  L.  I.,  which  went  by  the  name  of  "  Domine's 
Hook."  The  heirs  sold  this  farm  in  1668,  to  one  John  Sharp,  for  seven  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  fifty  guilders. —  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol. 
il.  35. 

Synod  of  North  Holland,  at  Hoorn. 

Art.   17.     East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

1647,  Aug.  12    et  seq. 

Regarding  the  twenty  second  article,  (1646)  reciting  at  length 
the  Plan  as  to  the  East  and  "West  Indian  Affairs,  as  well  as  the 
acceptance  of  it  by  other  corresponding  Synods,  it  was  under- 
stood after  an  elaborate  explanation  (openinge)  that  we  will  for 
reasons  abide  by  the  said  Plan.  Meantime  we  will  try  to  induce 
all  the  objecting  Synods  to  accept  of  the  said  Plan,  at  some  time 
or  other. 

(The  following  item  relating  to  Brazil  is  important  because 
about  this  time  (1647)  Dutch  authority  and  colonizing  was  break- 
ing up  there,  by  reason  of  Portugal's  restoration  as  an  independ- 
ent Kingdom ;  and  the  scattering  of  churches  and  preachers  must 
have  had  a  bearing  on  ecclesiastical  events  in  !N'ew  I^etherland. ) 

Art.  39.     West  Indies. 

Extracts  from  a  letter  from  Brazil,  June  lOth,  1646. 

They  complain  greatly  of  the  great  burdens  and  anxiety  which 
they  have  suffered  during  this  revolt,  (the  return  of  the  Portu- 
guese to  power.) 


OF  THE  State  of  IN'ew  York.  219 

They  show  by  what  sort  of  management  they  have  acquitted 
themselves  in  the  support  of  poor  and  ailing  persons.  They 
request  also  that  some  aid  be  given  to  the  poor  Brazilians,  who 
gave  them  good  assistance  during  this  war;  and  that  a  collection 
should  be  taken  up  for  that  purpose,  to  be  sent  over  at  the  earliest 
opportunity,  in  order  to  recompense  the  loyalty  of  the  Brazilians, 
to  encourage  them  in  the  faith,  and  to  keep  them  friendly.  They 
request  grave  (deftige)  ministers,  particularly,  to  be  employed 
in  the  church  on  the  Recife. 

They  have  united  their  two  Classes  into  one,  and  request  the 
approval  thereof  by  the  gentlemen  of  the  Nineteen. 

This  past  year,  on  account  of  the  troubles,  neither  ministers  nor 
siekentroosters  have  been  sent  thither. 

Art.  41.     Rev.  Grasmeer;  Graftdyck. 

Rev.  William  Grasmeer,  minister  at  Graftdyck,  with  his  elder, 
showed  the  pressing  necessity  for  the  building  of  their  preach- 
ing-houses or  churches,  in  two  distant  neighborhoods.  He  re- 
qu.ests  of  this  Synod  faA^or  and  recommendation  to  the  several 
Classes  for  the  furtherance  of  so  pious  a  w^ork.  At  the  same 
time  a  statement  was  made  as  to  the  special  work  of  edification 
there^  through  the  blessing  of  the  Lord,  in  a  very  zealous,  al- 
though a  newly  organized  church.  Also  its  condition  of  poverty, 
but  none  the  less  its  liberality  towards  the  said  work  were  also 
learned;  and  also  that  the  churches  of  the  Classis  of  Alkmaer, 
to  which  it  belongs,  has  generously  contributed  their  share. 
Wherefore  it  was  unanimously  agreed  by  the  several  Classes  to 
recommend  this  request  favorably,  to  each  church  Avithin  its  own 
bounds,  and  as  far  as  in  them  lies,  to  facilitate  it. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.     Points  for  Remonstrance  [or  Memorial.] 

1647,  Sept.   16th. 

The  points  were  read  which  will  be  laid  before  the  Assemblies 
of  the  XVII  and  XIX.  The  matter  shall  be  attended  to  by  Rev. 
Wilmerdonck  and  the  Clerk. 


1647 


220  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

1647  / 

The  points  to  form  the  basis   of  Remonstrance  to  the  East 

India  Company,  or  the  XVII,  are  as  follows: 

I. 

Whereas  the  lack  of  ministers  in  the  East  Indies  is  great,  and 
next  year  six  are  abont  to  depart  thence,  whose  years  of  engage^ 
ment  have  expired:  It  is  tlierefore  requested  by  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  in  the  name  of  the  Churches  in  the  East  Indies,  that 
a  good  and  sufficient  number  of  ministers  may  still  be  sent  thither, 
who  could  serve  the  churches  in  the  Indies  unto  their  further  up- 
building in  Christianity. 

11. 

And  in  order  the  better  to  induce  the  ministers  who  have  some 
inclination  to  go  thither,  it  is  requested  in  the  name  of  our 
Classis:  That  the  widows  of  ministers  who  die  in  the  employ  of 
the  Messrs.  Directors  may  be  provided  with  a  certain  amount 
of  salary  during  their  condition  as  widows. 

in. 

Inasmuch  as  nothing  is  more  favorable  to  edification  among 
populations  of  foreign  tongues,  than  that  ministers  make  rather 
a  prolonged  stay  in  foreign  lands,  in  order  not  only  that  they 
may  learn  the  languages,  but  may  perform  evident  and  recog- 
nizable good  services  among  them:  We  therefore  suggest  to 
the  Hon.  Gentlemen,  whether  the  best  means  thereunto  be  not 
these:  That  the  ministers  in  the  East  Indies  be  given  such 
salaries  that  they  would  not  only  be  glad  to  stay  there  for  five 
years,  but  even  for  ten  years,  or  more;  that  thus  they  might  joy- 
fully and  eagerly  perform  the  duties  of  their  office  there.  Such 
salary  (inducements?)  we  judge  to  consist  not  only  in  this,  that 
they  are  honorably  recognized,  in  accordance  with  the  admonition 
of  Paul  in  1  Thess.  5:12;  "  We  besceech  you,  brethren,  to  know 
(recognize)  them  which  labor  among  you,  and  are  over  you  in 
the  Lord,  and  admonish  you;  and  to  esteem  them  very  highly  in 


OF  THE  State  of  'N:ew  York.  221 

love  for  their  worFs  sake";  but,  in  addition,  that  they  shall  not 

be  compelled  to  adjust  themselves  to   another  form  of  church 

government   than  that  which   they  have  here   in   this  country. 

For  they  should  be  one  with  us,  as  in  doctrines  so  in  government. 

And,  finally,  that  they  be  not  disappointed  in  the  expectation  of 

those  conditions,  which,  besides  the  building  up  of  the  Church 

of  God,  have  invited  them  thither;  namely,  that  they  shall  find 

yonder  a  free  dwelling,   or  at  least  sufiicient  housing,  monthly 

payments,    and  all   such  things   as  make   their  salary  full   and 

complete. 

IV. 

The  Rev.  Yertrecht,  minister  at  Banda,  exhibits  the  hope  of 
edification  among  the  people  of  the  newly  discovered  islands  to 
the  east  and  south  of  Banda.  Bequest  is  accordingly  made  that 
religion  may  be  planted  there,  and  that  Bev.  Vertrecht  be  em- 
ployed for  the  furtherance  of  that  important  work. 

v. 

The  Consistory  of  Batavia  complains  of  the  great  necessities 
of  the  poor  there,  and  requests  that  the  legacies  made  for  the 
poor  at  Batavia  may  be  exhibited,  (spread  out)  and  that  they 
may  come  safely  to  hand. 

YI. 

Bequests  are  to  be  made  for  some  books  which  may  be  useful 
in  the  churches  and  schools;  indicating  also  the  list  (register)  to 
be  sent  over: 

Also  certain  books  which  might  be  printed,  or  be  reprinted, 
as  follows: 

1.  Some  Psalms  in  Malay;  some  in  Portuguese,  as  arranged  by 
Abraham  Bogerin,  sent  over  in  the  year  1644. 

2.  The  question  book  of  Aldegonde,  and  the  Small  Cate- 
chism; to  which  were  added  by  Mr.  Biers  the  passages  in  the 
scriptures,  translated  into  Portuguese,  sent  over  in  Anno  1645. 

3.  The  Malay  Postilla,  entitled  "  Amput  Bias  '^,  sent  over  in 
1646. 


1647 


1647 


222  Ecclesiastical  Records 

4.  That  the  "  Dictionarium  Danskar  "  be  reprinted;  and  that 
Rev.  Hurmius  be  requested  to  add  some  "  vocabnla  "  to  it. 

VII. 

That  Eev.  Cornelius  Geeftdoop,  proponent  in  Sacred  Theology, 
is  inclined  to  employ  his  gifts  in  the  service  of  God's  Church 
in  the  East  Indies;  but  as  he  is  rather  young  yet,  and  ought  to 
have  some  more  study  for  preaching,  the  Hon.  Messrs.  Directors 
are  to  be  asked,  if  for  a  year  or  two  he  may  not  enjoy  some  sub- 
sidy, so  as  to  carry  his  studies  to  further  increase  and  maturity 
and  then  let  him  be  employed  as  minister  in  the  East  Indies,  xx. 
183,  185. 

Points  for  the  West  India  Company,  the  XIX. 

The  following  are  the  points,  which  shall  be  made  the  basis 
of  a  remonstrance  (or  Memorial)  to  the  West  India  Company. 

I. 

Inasmuch  as  the  number  of  ministers  in  Brazil,  both  by  reason 
of  death  and  of  departure  to  the  Fatherland,  has  greatly  de- 
creased; and  also  many  of  the  Siecken-Troosters  have  gone  away; 
that  request  be  made  for  a  larger  number  of  ministers,  and  five 
or  six  more  good  men  as  Krankbezoekers. 

n. 

That  in  the  Classis  of  Brazil,  which  now  by  order  of  the 
Assembly  of  the  XIX  is  no  longer  to  be  called  a  Synod,  but  only 
a  Classis,  the  session  of  ''  Politicals  "  therein  may  cease,  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  practice  of  all  the  Classes  in  the  Fatherland; 
and  that  this  continue  until  the  churches  increase,  and  are  divided 
into  several  Classes,  and  a  Synod  be  organized  out  of  these:  in 
this  Synod,  then,  even  as  in  the  home  country  the  High  Author- 
ity (civil  power)  may  have  its  seat. 

III. 

As  correspondence  with  all  the  Synods  is  impracticable,  and 
the  Classis  of  Brazil  now  judges,  Art.  9,  session  3,  that  it  would 


OF  THE  State  of  IN'ew  York.  '  223 

be  harmful  to  its  churches;  request  is  to  be  made  not  to  accede 
to  such  a  proposal  of  correspondence. 

lY. 

Eeouest  is  to  be  made  that  the  Acta  of  the  North  Holland 

J. 

Synod,  from  the  year  1640  down,  as  desired  by  the  Kev.  Breth- 
ren in  Brazil,  be  copied,  and  sent  to  them,  at  the  charges  of  the 

Company. 

Y. 

That  the  Jews  be  checked  in  their  insolence,  and  the  Papists 
in  their  liberty;  referring  to  the  2nd  Article,  session  7,  and  the 
3rd  Article,  session  9. 

YI. 

That  the  church  on  the  Kecife,  [Part  of  the  Capital  of  Brazil,] 
has  need  of  an  English  preacher,  unless  the  brethren  of  Zeeland 
have  already  provided  for  this :  request  is  also  made  for  a  preacher, 
who  can  officiate  in  the  German  and  French  languages. 

YH. 

Eev.  James  Burg,  minister  at  San  Paulo  Loando,  asks  for  his 
dismissal  because  the  years  of  his  engagement  have  expired. 
This  has  been  granted  him  by  the  Classis.  The  Hon.  Gentlemen 
are  requested  to  consent  to  the  looking  out  for  another  minister 
in  his  place  who  may  be  sent  thither. 

YIII. 

Also  that  Guinea,  where  now  for  three  years  no  minister  has 
been,  may  be  provided  with  a  good  minister. 

IX. 

That  the  Brazilians,  faithful  servants  of  the  Company,  be  given 
money,  (subsidized,)  and  be  offered  the  helping  hand,  both  by 
the  Company,  and  by  the  other  Classes,  in  their  necessities  and 
impoverished  nakedness,     xx.  185,  186. 


1647 


1647 


224  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Electiois"  of  the  jN'ine  Represein'tatives. 
Extract  from  Stuyresant's  Charter  as  to  Religions. 

1647,  Sept.  22. 

"  Whereas,  We  desire  nothing  more  than  that  the  government  of  New  Nether- 
land,  entrusted  to  our  care,  and  principally  New  Amsterdam,  our  capital  and 
residence,  might  continue  and  increase  in  good  order,  justice  and  police,  population, 
prosperity  and  mutual  harmony,  and  be  provided  with  strong  fortifications,  a 
church,  a  school,  trading  place,  harbor  and  similar  highly  necessary  public  edifices 
and  improvements,  for  which  end  We  are  desirous  of  obtaining  the  assistance  of 
our  whole  commonalty,  as  nothing  is  better  adapted  to  promote  their  own  welfare 
and  comfort,  and  as  such  is  required  in  every  well  regulated  government. 


I.  As  good  and  faithful  Interlocutors  and  Trustees  of  the  Commonalty,  they 
shall  endeavor  to  exert  themselves  to  promote  the  honor  of  God,  and  the  welfare 
of  our  dear  Fatherland,  to  the  best  advantage  of  the  Company,  and  the  prosperity 
of  our  good  citizens;  to  the  preservation  of  the  pure  Reformed  Religion  as  it  here, 
and  in  the  Churches  of  the  Netherlands,  is  inculcated, —  O'Callaghan's  History  of 
New  Netherland,  Vol.  ii.  37,  38. 

Memorial  to  the  XIX. 

1647,  Oct.  28th. 

These  points  which  are  memorialized  to  the  Assembly  of  the 
XIX,  and  the  resolutions  required;  also  those  things  which  are 
resolved  by  both  the  East  and  West  India  Companies, —  are  to 
be  taken  in  copies.  These  are  to  be  inserted  in  the  Classical 
book,  and  the  principal  points  shall  be  annexed  to  the  East  and 
West  India  letters,     xx.  191. 

Improvements  Suggested  as  to  Church  and  School. 

1647. 

Having  thus  organized  this  popular  body,  with  a  view  to  exercise  a  more 
powerful  influence  over  the  inhabitants,  whose  co-operation  he  required  in  carry- 
ing out  the  orders  of  his  superiors.  Director  Stuyvesant  lost  no  time  in  calling 
their  special  attention  to  the  condition  of  the  fort  and  of  the  church,  to  the  state 
of  public  education  in  New  Amsterdam,  as  well  as  to  the  mean  appearance  of  the 
city  itself.  The  greater  part  of  the  houses  were  built  of  wood  and  covered  with 
straw;  many  of  the  chimnies  were  also  of  wood,  all  of  which  circumstances  con- 
tributed greatly  to  endanger  the  public  safety.  The  education  of  the  children  had 
of  late  been  neglected  altogether,  and  owing  to  the  want  of  proper  accommoda- 
tions, no  school  had  been  kept  for  three  months. 

The  "  Nine  Men,"  representing  Manhattan,  Breukelen,  Amersfoort,  and  Pavonia, 
were  therefore  summoned  to  deliberate  with  the  Director  General,  on  these  various 
and  important  questions. 


He  (Stuyvesant)  communicated,  at  the  same  time,  his  consent  to  defray,   on  be- 
half of  the  Company,  a  portion  of  the  expenses,  necessary  for  the  encouragement 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  225 

of  education,  and  to  continue  such  assistance  in  future,  "  to  promote  ttie  glorious 
work."  Meanwliile,  lie  informed  them,  that  a  convenient  place  for  a  school  house 
and  dwelling  for  the  Schoolmaster,  would  be  provided  for  the  winter,  either  in  one 
of  the  out-houses  belonging  to  the  FiscaPs  department,  which  the  Director  Gen- 
eral would  prefer,  or  any  other  suitable  place  that  the  deacons  of  the  church 
might  approve.  He  recommended  them  to  make  proper  regulations  for  the  pre- 
vention of  fires,  and  reverted  particularly  to  the  necessity  of  completing  the 
church,  which  Kieft  had  commenced  five  years  before,  and  which  remained  still 
unfinished. 

The  arrangements  for  public  education  and  for  completing  the  church  met  with 
no  objection,  but  the  plan  for  repairing  the  fortifications  was  absolutely  con- 
demned.—  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,   Vol.  ii.  41,  42, 


Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.     Henry  Dries  (Drisius). 

1647,  Oct.  28tli. 

Henry  Dries'*^  having  good  witness  among  the  brethren,  whereof 
he  shall  bring  evidence,  read  and  sang,  and  gave  the  brethren 
complete  satisfaction  therein.  They  are  therefore  disposed  to 
advance  him,  at  his  request,  in  the  capacity  of  Krankbezoeker; 
but  inasmuch  as  at  present  he  intends  to  take  a  voyage,  he  shall 
be  attended  to  on  his  return,  in  the  future,     xx.  191. 

Letters  to  the  East  and  West  Indies. 

1647,  mv.  26th. 

The  letters  to  be  sent  to  the  East  and  West  Indies  were  read; 
one  to  the  Consistory  at  Batavia;  one  to  Banda;  one  to  Amboyna; 
and  also  a  letter  to  Brazil.  These  were  all  approved  by  the 
brethren,     xx.  192. 

Rev.  Simon  Welmerdonckius  in  the  Chair. 

1648,  Jan.  27th. 

Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  Jr.,  pastor  at  Rentselaerswyck  in 
New  IsTetherland,  requests  his  dismissal:  the  brethren  in  the  city 
will  confer  with  the  executors  of  Rentselaer,  and  his  widow. 
XX.  193. 


1647 


*  Probably  a  relative  of  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  of  New   York. 

15 


1648 


226  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

Adrian  Cornelisse;  (John  Backerns.) 

1648,*  Jan.  27th. 

Adrian  Cornelisse  —  the  brother  of  Rev.  John  Backerns  who 
has  been  minister  at  Curacoa  and  who  has  now  arrived  with 
Director  Stuyresant  in  [N'ew  Netherland  —  makes  known  that  his 
brother  has  written  for  his  dismissal.  The  letters,  however,  had 
been  delayed  on  account  of  the  ship-wreck.  He  now  presents 
himself  in  the  name  of  his  brother,  to  ask  for  his  dismissal.  He 
was  answered,  that  so  far  as  lieth  in  ns,  we  shall  seek  to  procure 
his  dismissal.  TVe  hope  to  succeed,  especially  as  it  is  understood 
that  the  Messrs.  Directors  are  much  inclined  to  call  Rev.  John 
Megapolensis  from  Rensselaerswyck  in  'New  ]^etherland,  (to  Man- 
hattan). This  shall  be  made  known  to  Classis,  and  its  advice 
sought.     XX.  193. 

Order  of  Council  oi^  an  Application  of  the  Town  of  Flush- 
ing FOR  A  Minister. 

On  the  first  of  February,  1648. 

William  Harck,  Sheriff  at  Flushing,  and  his  associates,  appeared  in  Council  and 
request  that  the  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council  would  favor  them  with 
a  pious,  learned  and  reformed  minister;  and  then  order  that  each  inhabitant  should 
contribute  to  such  godly  work  according  to  his  ability,  and  that  an  end  be  put  to 
the  present  differences  in  a  manner,  that  shall  promote  peace,  quietness  and 
unanimity  in  said  town,  and  that  they  jointly  may  live  under  the  protection  of 
their  High  Mightinesses,  his  Highness  of  Orange,  the  Honorable  Lords  Directors, 
and  the  present  administration  here. 

Thomas  Sael,  John  Laurence  and  William  Turner,  the  opposite  party,  thereto 
delegated  by  the  remainder  of  their  side,  request  the  same  as  the  sheriff  and  his 
associates  abovementioned  have  asked. 

The  above  parties  having  been  heard  in  Council  and  the  justness  of  their  re- 
quest being  seen,  the  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council  resolve  to  enact 
such  order  on  their  application  and  request  as  shall  be  found  to  promote  peace, 
union  and  tranquility  both  in  ecclesiastical  and  civil  affairs. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
xiv.  82. 

*  This  was  the  year  and  the  month  of  the  Peace  of  Westphalia,  and  the  end  of 
"  The  Eighty  Years  War  ".  Bogardus  left  Manhattan  with  Kieft,  in  1647,  and 
this  vessel  was  lost  off  the  coast  of  Wales.  These  letters  seem  to  have  been  on 
this  ship.  John  Backerus  has  generally  been  known  heretofore,  without  the 
middle  name  of  Cornelius  but  these  mauy  notes  show,  that  Cornelius  was  his 
father's  name,   and  therefore,  according  to  custom,  his  middle  name. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  227 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Backerus  requests  to East  Indies. —  Letter  from  'New 

ISTetherland.     Eev.  Megapolensis. 

1648,  Feb.  10th. 

There  was  also  read  to  the  meeting  by  the  Kev.  Deputies,  a 
letter  which  had  arrived  from  New  Netherlands  from  John  Mega- 
polensis, minister  at  Rensselaer's  Wyck.  He  requested  two 
things : 

1.  His  dismission,  as  his  term  of  six  years  will  soon  have  ex- 
pired. 

2.  The  procurement  of  another  capable  person  in  his  place. 
Three  matters  were  left  in  the  charge  of  the  Rev.  Deputies  to 

further,  so  far  as  lay  in  their  power,  in  the  best  manner  possible: 

1.  To  request  a  dismission  of  Rev.  Backerus. 

2.  That  Rev.  Megapolensis  be  transferred  to  Manhattan. 

3.  That  John  Hermanren  of  Til  (Thiel,  in  Gelderland)  be 
sounded  in  regard  to  his  going  to  Rensselaer's  Wyck.  They 
should  first  confer  carefully  on  this  matter  with  the  patroons  (of 
Rensselaer's  Wyck)  regarding  the  salary,  and  the  whole  business. 
V.  67;     xxxix.  177.* 

Rev.  Peter  Wittenwrougel  in  the  Chair. 

1648,  Feb.  24th. 

The  Rev.  President  reported  that  the  widow  Rentselaer  and 
the  executors  had  been  consulted  in  reference  to  the  case  of  Meg- 
apolensis; but  there  seemed  little  likelihood  that  another  pastor 
would  be  settled  there.  They  must  first  receive  communications 
from  the  Colony,  and  this  would  be  too  much  trouble  to  the  afore- 
said widow.     XX.  194. 

*  Last  extract  from  Vol,  xxxix. 


1648 


1648 


228  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

Rev.  John  Van  Sauen  in  the  Chair. 

1648,  April  7th  [or  27]. 

The  clerk  reported  that  at  the  instance  of  Classis,  he  had  writ- 
ten to  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  pastor  in  the  colony  of  Renselaers- 
wyck,  and  that  he  would  copy  the  letter  and  place  it  in  the  minute 

book.     XX.  108. 

1648,  April  7th. 

Rev.  (John)  Megapolensis,  pastor  at  Renselaer'swyck,  having 
requested  his  dismission,  to  return  to  his  Fatherland,  the  Rev. 
Brethren,  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas,  will  seek  to  encourage  him  to 
remain;  and  in  case  of  failure,  to  secure  the  appointment,  if  pos- 
&ible,  of  another  in  his  place,     xxvi.  1. 

(This  and  several  subsequent  items  of  the  Acts  of  the  Classis 
proper,  were  entered  by  mistake  in  the  Volumes  of  Correspond- 
ence, which  begin  with  Vol.  xxvi.  The  Acts  of  the  Classis  are  in 
Vols,  i-xviii.  Vol.  xix.  consists  of  Extracts  from  the  Acts  of  the 
Classis,  1656-1705.    Vols,  xx-xxv.    are  the  Acts  of  the  Deputies.) 

Letter  written  to  Rev.  John  Megapolensis.* 

1648,  April  7th. 

The  clerk  represented  that  in  compliance  with  the  direction  of 
Classis,  he  had  written  to  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  minister  in 
the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck.  The  letter  shall  be  copied  and 
spread  in  the  Book  (of  Correspondencie)  of  Classis  (Vol.  xxvi.) 
XX.  198. 

DiBECTOKS  IN  Holland  to  Peter  Stuyvesant;  the  Ship 
"  Princess  "  Lost  With  Dir.  Kieft  and  Domine  Bogardus 
ON  Board;  Church  Matters;  .... 

Duplicate.     1648   April   7th. 
Honorable,   Dear  and  Faithful  Friends. 

By  the  ship  "  de  Valckenler  "  vre  hiave  duly  received  two  of  your  letters,  the 
last  dated  the  6th  of  October  of  last  year,  the  first  having  no  date,  the  originals 
of  which  had  been  sent  by  the  ship  "  The  Princess  ".  We  notice  by  your  last 
letter,  that  this  ship  had  left  your  coast  about  the  16th  of  August,  but  we  did 
not  receive  your  letters,  sent  by  the  same,  as  it  was  wrecked  in  the  Channel  on 
the  27th  of  September,   and  eighty  one  souls,   men,  women  and  children  were  lost, 


*  "  Megapolensis  "  is  the  Grecized  form  of  "  Mekkelenburg  ",  a  town  In 
Germany  —  not  "  Mecheleu  "  in  Belgium.  Mekkelen  r=  Mega,  burg  =::  polls;  hence 
"  Mecnpolensls  ". 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  229 

among  them  the  former  Director,  William  Kieft,  Domine  Bogardus,*  and  Fiscal 
Tan  der  Hoyckens;  of  her  cargo  nothing  has  been  saved  except  a  lot  of  peltries, 
part  of  which  has  been  stolen,  and  what  floated  on  the  strand  has  been  sold  for 
26h.  6d.  the  piece  and  later  for  Ish.  English  money.  The  skipper  remained  there 
akulking  about  eo  long,  that  it  created  suspicion;  It  seems,  that  thieves  are  always 
connected  with  such  misfortunes;  the  Lord  may  comfort  the  sufferers. 


How  very  Inopportune  the  mishap  of  the  "  Princess  "  has  come,  especially  as 
regards  your  request,  will  be  stated  hereafter;  we  shall  first  reply  to  your  report 
on  the  state  of  our  conquests,  in  which  you  complain,  that  the  people  are  grown 
very  wild  and  loose  in  their  morals.  It  seems  to  have  principally  been  caused  by 
the  weakness  of  the  late  Director,  and  the  neglect  of  his  duties  by  the  preacher. 
We  expect  your  Honor  will  amend  all  this;  but  a  tree  grown  too  high,  and  too 
luxuriantly,  must  be  trimmed  carefully,  and  bent  by  a  tender  hand,  giving  It  a 
good  shape. 


It  l8  true,  that  people  are  busy  at  the  Hague  before  their  High.  Might,  to  bring 
about  a  general  reform  for  all  the  colonies  of  this  Company,  and  New  Netherland 
will  not  be  forgotten;  a  provisional  resolution  has  already  been  passed,  that  all 
colonists  there  shall  be  allowed  to  ship  their  own  products,  as  flour,  fishes,  meat, 
bacon,  peas,  beans  and  everything"  else,  in  their  own,  or  chartered,  bottoms  to 
Brazil  and  Angola;  that  the  ships  returning  may  take  freight  from  Brazil;  but 
those  coming  back  from  Angola  are  to  bring  Negroes  to  be  employed  In  farming. 
This  resolution  will  show  your  Honor,  that  we  too  have  the  right  to  send  a  ship 
to  Angola  with  an  assortment  of  provisions  and  bring  back  negroes.  Your  Honor 
will  therefore  please  to  take  quickly  advantage  of  It  with  the  provisions,  which 
you  report  to  have  in  abundance. 


We  were  sorry  to  learn  of  the  great  disorder,  which  youF  Honor  has  found  there 
in  Church  matters,  principally  caused  by  Domine  Bogardus.  The  proverb  "  Where 
the  shepherd  errs,  the  sheep  go  astray  "  fitly  applies  to  this  case.  He,  with 
others,  has  been  relieved  from  rendering  his  account,  while  In  the  meantime  the 
church  remains  in  a  troubled  state  and  unprovided;  although  your  Honor  has  pro- 
visionally allowed  Domine  Backer,  formerly  preacher  at  Curacao,  to  remain  there 
some  time.  As  he,  however,  has  previously  received  his  letter  dlsmissory  from  the 
Classis,  he  cannot  be  held  there  against  his  will.  We  shall  look  out  here  for  a 
man  fit  to  attend  to  the  church  there.  Your  Honor  believes,  that  the  congregation 
would  be  well  satisfied  with  Domine  Megapolensie,  preacher  at  Rensselaerwyck, 
without  stating,  whether  he  can  obtain  his  letter  of  dismissal  from  there  without 
trouble;  also  whether  he  cannot  work  there  with  as  good  results,  as  in  the  church 
at  New  Amsterdam.  We  expect  to  receive  on  this  point  a  more  detailed  report 
in  your  next,  according  to  which  we  shall  act.  It  must  also  be  considered,  that 
this  plan  cannot  be  well  carried  out  without  the  consent  of  the  Colonists. 

The  erection  of  a  church  building  has  really  been  necessary,  but  we  notice  also 
that  it  has  been  very  expensive:  the  Colony  cannot  yet  bear  such  expenses. 


Commending  you  herewith  to  God's  protection  we  remain. 
Honorable  Dear  and  Faithful  Sir, 
Your  Honor's  true  friend. 

The  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company, 

Department  of  Amsterdam.  J.  Specx. 

David  van  Baerle. 
Amsterdam   April  7th,  1648. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.   Y.   xiv.  82,  83,   84,   87. 


1648 


•  A  somewhat  lengthy  sketch  of  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus  written  by  D.  T.  Val- 
entine is  found  in  his  "  Manual  of  the  Common  Council  of  New  York  "  for  the  year 
1863,  pages  60<5-6O8,  embracing  some  of  the  documents  herein-  given. 


1648 


230  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies,  and  their  Correspondence. —  The  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  to  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  April  8th,  1648. 
xxvi.  page  1. 

Rev.  Wise,  etc. 

Your  communication  came  duly  to  hand  a  few  weeks  since. 
It  was  agreeable  to  hear  of  your  good  health.  We  hope  that 
the  good  God  may  yet  spare  you  many  years  for  the  service  of 
his  church,  which  we  desire  to  have  built  up  and  extended  in  all 
quarters  of  the  world. 

You  have  labored  faithfully  in  that  colony  of  J^ew  !N^etherland, 
which  has  thus  far  been  under  your  supervision.  'Now  that  the 
years  of  your  compact  are  drawing  to  a  close,  you  request  your 
dismissal. 

We  have  considered  your  request  as  just  and  reasonable,  and 
have  therefore,  at  different  times  conferred  with  the  testamentary 
guardians  of  the  family  of  the  deceased  (sterfhuis)  Patroon,  re- 
questing them  to  be  pleased  to  give  us  authority  to  look  about  for 
another  qualified  person,  who  may  succeed  you  in  the  capacity  of 
pastor  and  minister  of  the  divine  word.  We  have  urged  this 
upon  many,  since  it  would  be  deplorable  in  itself,  and  prejudicial 
to  the  glory  of  God,  as  well  as  injurious  to  the  people,  if  such  a 
number  of  people  should  be  left  without  a  pastor. 

But  inasmuch  as  the  partners  in  this  colony  could  not  agree 
with  the  guardians  of  the  family  of  the  deceased  Patroon,  and 
were  at  variance  among  themselves,  we  could  not  reach  any  result. 
Some  time  ago  they  sent  a  certain  person  to  the  colony,  upon 
whom  large  powers  of  direction  in  the  church  were  conferred. 
They  desire  first  to  be  better  informed  as  to  the  state  of  affairs 
before  they  determine  to  send  another  pastor. 


OF  THE  State  of  !N'ew  York.  231 

In  the  meantime  we  shall  not  be  negligent  in  securing  your 
object.  We  doubt  not  but  that  the  guardians  of  the  house  of  the 
Messrs.  Renselaer,  will  inform  you  more  particularly. 

The  brethren  of  Classis  wish  that  you  would  continue  there 
until  some  one  succeeds  you;  otherwise  what  you  have  built  up 
may  easily  be  broken  down;  and  the  church  there,  which  is  now 
enjoying  reasonable  growth,  as  we  have  learned  with  satisfaction 
and  joy  from  your  letter,  would  become  demoralized,  to  the  detri- 
ment of  God's  glory  and  the  injury  of  the  colony.  And  inasmuch 
as  the  compact  expires  in  August,  it  will  perhaps  be  only  a  matter 
of  a  few  months. 

Domine  Backerus,  who  is  at  present  supplying  the  Manhattans 
in  the  place  of  Rev.  Bogardus,  who  sadly  perished  by  shipwreck 
on  his  passage,  as  also  some  of  your  relatives,  much  to  our  sorrow, 
would  also  like  very  much  to  return  home,  as  we  learn  from  his 
friends,  although  his  own  letters  have  not  yet  reached  us.  But 
not  knowing  the  state  of  that  church  exactly,  we  have  not  been 
able  to  dispose  of  that  business.  We  shall,  however,  await  fur- 
ther advices  thence. 

We  wish  that  his  Excellency  could  be  informed  of  this,  when 
opportunity  offers,  as  we  have  scarcely  the  time  to  send  you  even 
these  few  lines ;  for  the  vessel  got  ready  to  sail  mthout  our  knowl- 
edge, and  the  bearer  of  this  is  waiting  to  depart.  Having  no 
other  business  to  present,  I  will  close  by  committing  you  to  God 
and  the  word  of  his  grace.  We  desire  that  he  may  bless  your 
labors  more  and  more  to  the  winning  of  many  souls.  With  our 
hearty  respect,  we  are  and  remain. 

Your  Friends  to  command,  and  Brethren,  the  Eespc- 
tive  Members  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
In  the  name  of  all 

B.   Wittenwrongel. 


1648 


1648 


332  Ecclesiastical  Records 

John  Bakkenis. 

1648,  June  29t}i. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Rev.  John  Backerus,  of  ISTew  jSTether- 
land.  This  explained  that  he  had  received  his  dismissal  from 
the  church  at  Cnracoa,  and  had,  against  his  intention  and  inclina- 
tion, been  forced  to  remain  with  the  people  of  ^N'ew  ISTetherland. 
This  was  because  R-ev.  Bogardus  was  about  to  sail  for  the  Father- 
land, with  Director  Kieft  for  important  reasons,  namely,  to  seek 
to  terminate  their  disputes  of  long  standing,  by  both  appearing 
before  the  Directors.  Inasmuch  as  the  said  minister  (Bogardus) 
was  wrecked  on  this  voyage,  he  (Backerus)  now  requested,  that 
as  soon  as  possible  another  good  minister  might  be  sent  in  his 
place.  It  was  resolved  to  communicate  the  above  mentioned 
letter  to  the  Rev.  Classis.*    xx.  200. 

STIiTOD    OF    l^ORTH    HoLLAlSTD,    AT    EnCE:EUYZEN. 

Art.  19.     East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

1648,  Aug.  11  et  seq. 

Regarding  Art.  17  (1647)  relating  to  the  Plan  about  the  East 
and  West  India  affairs :  It  is  understood  that  the  said  Plan  wiU 
be  adhered  to.  It  is  also  found  that  the  same  Plan  had  been  ac- 
cepted by  all  the  corresponding  Synods  excepting  that  of  Utrecht, 
as  appears  ex  actis  Synodi  Ultrajectina,  1647.  Therefore  our 
correspondent,  who  shall  go  thither,  shall  put  forth  every  amicable 
endeavor  and  inducement  to  persuade  the  said  Rev.  Synod  like- 
wise to  accept  the  Plan  even  as  the  others  have  done. 

Extracts  from  Minutes  of  other  Synods. 

Extracts  from  the  Acts  of  the  Synod  of  Gelderland  and  Zut- 
phen,  held  at  Arnhem  in  September,  1647. 


As  to  East  and  West  India  Affairs,  the  Plan  of  the  Synods  of 
Holland  are  accepted  provisionally. 


»  Backerns    wfts,    therefore,    only    a    temporary    supply    of    the   church    of    New 
Amsterdam. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  23'^ 


1648 


•  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America.    Rev.  John  Backerns  to  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  August  15th,  1648,  and  September  2nd,  1648. 

Reverend,  Pious  and  Learned  Brethren  in  Christ;   Increase  of 
Honor,  Piety  and  the  Blessing  of  God  be  your  reward :  — 

Whereas  I  have  not  yet  received  an  answer  to  my  former  rer 
quest  from  your  Reverences,  I  continue  to  write  on  the  same 
subject. 

I  would  have  preferred  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  Rev.  Brethren,  in- 
stead of  again  greeting  you  by  this  dumb  messenger.  I  have  no 
doubt,  it  might  have  been  done  ere  now,  as  in  answer  to  my  writ- 
ten request,  I  received  permission  to  return  to  the  Fatherland,  if 
I  had  not  changed  my  mind.  But  upon  my  arrival  in  'New  JSTether- 
land  from  Curacoa,  I  heard  a  different  song,  and  to  which  I  had 
to  listen.  In  a  short  time,  and  much  to  my  regret,  I  had  to  ob- 
serve with  my  own  eyes,  that  none  of  the  officers  here  would  come 
to  church,  when  our  brother  Domine  Everardus  Bogardus  preached. 
For  there  were  such  important  questions  and  differences  between 
our  said  brother,  on  one  side,  and  his  Honor,  General  William 
Kieft,  with  certain  officials  on  the  other,  that  there  was  a  mutual 
aversion.  Inasmuch  as  this  disagreeable  dispute  had  grown  to 
such  dimensions  that  it  reached  even  to  the  borders  of  Holland, 
we  were  unable  to  reconcile  the  parties  or  smoothe  over  matters. 
Therefore,  and  probably  also  for  other  reasons,  our  brother,  Do- 
mine Bogardus,  wished  to  go  to  Holland  with  Director  William 
Kieft,  (for  the  settlement  of  these  matters).  Upon  his  request  for 
this  object,  he  received  much  quicker  permission  than  he  expected 
from  his  Honor,  General  Stuyvesant,  because  as  I  suppose,  the 
latter  was  not  favorable  to  the  former.  Matters  being  in  this  con- 
dition, I  had  to  give  up  my  own  plans.  After  looking  more 
closely  into  the  affairs,  I  had  to  sacrifice  all  my  own  intentions. 
Necessity  compelled  me  not  to  leave  the  congregation  without  a 
pastor.     I  therefore  took  our  brother's  place,  but  I  cannot  conceal 


1648 


234  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

from  the  Rev.  Brethren,  that  I  hope,  it  will  not  be  for  longer  than 
the  coming  summer;  for  then  the  place  will  again  be  vacant  and 
the  congi-egation  will  be  at  liberty  to  choose  another  pastor.  It 
is  somewhat  different  with  the  people  here,  from  what  it  was  in 
Curacoa,  In  severing  my  connection  at  Cnracoa,  and  removing, 
only  about  six  or  seven  church  members  remained  behind,  the 
others  having  already  left  before,  or  leaving  with  me.  As  to 
others,  not  known  to  be  members,  there  are  few,  who,  in  my  opin- 
ion, are  inclined  to  our  religion,  or  to  hearing  the  Holy  Gos- 
pel as  taught  here  and  in  the  churches  of  ^etherland  as  well  as 
elsewhere.  For  that  reason,  and  also  because  an  able  reader  for 
the  people  of  our  nationality,  and  a  schoolteacher  for  the  natives 
of  the  country,  were  left  there,  I  could  the  more  easily,  and  with- 
out conscientious  scruples,  remove.  Especially  could  I  do  so,  be- 
cause I  trust  the  Hon.  Directors,  upon  a  request  by  the  Classis, 
can  easily  send  another  good  preacher  there,  if  the  community 
should  increase  in  numbers,  and  if  the  natives  should  acquire  a 
little  more  knowledge ;  and  especially  if  the  Word  and  the  Admin- 
istration of  the  Sacraments  should  become  necessary  there,  from 
the  desires  of  the  people  for  the  same. 

But  here  (in  'New  l^etherland)  where  there  is  already  a  goodly 
number  of  people,  and  who  also  daily  increase,  the  harvest  will  be 
much  gTcater,  and  the  service  and  work  of  a  preacher  is  much 
more  necessary.  Therefore  I  was  not  able  to  leave  this  place  so 
easily  with  a  free  and  untroubled  (conscience)  nor  would  I  like  to 
do  it,  at  all  until  this  congregation  had  first  been  provided  with 
another  able  and  God  fearing  teacher. 

I  therefore  humbly,  but  not  the  less  urgently,  request  your  Rev- 
erences to  do  your  best,  to  induce  the  Hon.  Directors  to  send  an- 
other good  preacher  here  as  soon  as  possible,  at  least  by  next 
summer,  and  discharge  me  from  my  long  service.  In  order,  that 
the  Rev.  Brethren  may  properly  consider  my  request,  and  obtain 
this  desired  end,  I  would  like  you  to  remember,  that  I  have  al- 
ready  served   the  Hon.    Directors   continuously   for   fifty   seven 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  Yoek.  235 

months,  I  may  say  now,  for  sixty  seven  months;  although  the 
term,  fixed  by  my  agreement,  has  long  since  expired. 

That  I  had  this  place  allotted  to  me,  and  remained  here,  as  I 
said  before,  for  the  service  of  this  congregation,  was  against  my 
inclination.  I  am  silent  abont  other  matters,  which  I  prefer  to 
tell  the  brethren  personally;  (but  I  cannot  stay)  partly,  because 
as  matters  stand  here,  I  find  it  impossible  to  live  in  comfort  with 
my  family  in  this  place  with  the  meagre  addition  of  two  hundred 
florins  for  board  money;  for  I  require  for  my  table  and  clothing 
all  my  monthly  pay  besides ;  partly,  because  I  do  not  wish  to  re- 
main longer,  even  if  I  receive  enough  more  that  I  could  live  upon 
it;  but  I  wish  to  be  transferred  from  here  to  a  place  in  Holland, 
wherever  the  Lord  may  please  to  call  me. 

This  is  a  copy  of  my  former  letters,  one  of  which  I  sent  to  your 
Reverences  by  the  ship  '^  Princess  " ;  the  other  by  way  of  Vir- 
ginia.    I  now  think  best  to  add  the  following  lines:  — 

Your  Reverences  must  understand  that  I  persevere  in  my  re- 
quest as  urgently  as  before.  I  have  no  doubt  they  will  boldly  de- 
mand from  the  Hon.  Directors  my  discharge  in  the  spring;  and 
if,  against  my  expectations,  the  Hon.  Directors  do  not  consent 
to  it,  then  I  request  you  to  submit,  in  my  name,  to  their  Honors, 
that  next  summer  I  have  been  in  their  service  for  seven  consecu- 
tive years,  although  my  contract  was  only  for  four ;  and  that,  if 
they  will  not  send  anybody  to  relieve  me,  after  having  received 
this  notice  from  me  and  warning,  as  is  proved  by  their  letter  to 
our  Director,  it  is  then  my  intention  and  determination  not  to 
remain  here  any  longer.  I  shall  then  consider  that  I  have  good 
reason  for  leaving  their  service  and  discharging  myself,  although 
I  should  not  like  to  leave  here  under  such  circumstances.  I  hope, 
it  will  not  have  to  be  done  thus.  Having  looked  about  for  another 
preacher  as  a  substitute  during  three  years  there  can  be  no  doubt, 
that  he  may  be  expected  next  spring.  I  shall  therefore,  prepare 
myself  accordingly,  and  then  be  ready  to  depart  for  the  Father- 
land. 


1648 


1648 


236  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Mt  wife  would  have  gone  home  with  the  wife  of  the  preacher 
at  Fort  Orange,  (]\Iegapolensis,)  but  as  she  is  near  her  delivery 
of  a  child,  we  thought  it  unadvisahle,  and  resolved  to  go  together 
next  summer.  I  have  informed  the  Hon.  Directors  of  this  reaolu- 
tion,  addins^  that  I  did  not  consider  it  contrarv  to  the  rules  or 
unreasonable,  as  their  Honors  themselves  must  admit;  knowing 
as  they  do,  that  at  that  time,  I  shall  have  served  them  seven  con- 
secutive years,  although  engaged  for  only  four.  Therefore  they 
have  no  right  to  keep  me  here  longer,  against  my  will  and  reso- 
lution, and  much  to  my  disadvantage. 

The  congregation  here  numbers  about  one  hundred  and  seventy 
members.  Most  of  them  are  very  ignorant  in  regard  to  true 
religion,  and  very  much  given  to  drink.  To  this  they  are  led  by 
the  seventeen  tap-houses  here.  What  bad  fruits  result  therefrom, 
your  Eeverences  will  easily  understand.  You  will  also  learn 
more  in  detail  from  the  bearer  hereof,  Master  Jan  Stevensen. 
If  you  could  obtain  from  the  Hon.  Directors  an  order  for  closing 
these  places,  except  three  or  four,  I  have  no  doubt,  the  source  of 
much  evil  and  great  offense  would  be  removed. 

The  Rev.  Brethren  are  requested  to  take  care,  that  a  pastor  be 
sent  to  this  congregation.  He  must  be  allowed  full  liberty  in  de- 
nouncing sin,  for  which  he  will  find  the  way  already  prepared, 
and  he  must  do  his  duties  with  the  good  example  of  a  decent  life 
himself. 

It  will  also  be  very  necessary  for  the  Rev.  Brethren,  to  send 
over  with  such  a  preacher  a  good  schoolmaster.  He  should  not 
only  know  how  to  read,  write  and  cipher,  but  should  also  be  a 
man  of  pious  life,  and  decent  habits.  He  should  have  a  good 
knowledge  of  the  principal  points  of  our  Faith,  and  set  a  holy 
example  to  the  children.  In  order  to  best  help  the  church  of  God 
here,  and  to  resist  a  bad  world,  I  think,  we  must  begin  with  the 
children;  for  many  of  the  older  people  are  so  far  depraved,  that 
they  are  now  ashamed  to  learn  anything  good. 


OF  THE  State  of  j^ew  York.  23 Y 

1648 

Herewith  closing  Keverend,  Honorable,  Pious  and  Learned 
Classis,  I  commend  your  Eeverences,  with  my  humble  salutations, 
to  the  grace  of  the  Most  High.  May  He  bless  you  with  an  in- 
crease of  your  congregations.^ 

Your  faithful  servant, 

Joannis  Backerus, 
At  Manhatans  Teacher  of  the  Gospel. 

in  ISTew  IsTetherland 
Sept.  2nd  Anno  1648. 

Master  Jan  Stevensen,  who  has  served  the  Company  here  as  a 
faithful  schoolmaster  and  reader  for  six  or  seven  consecutive 
years,  and  is  now  leaving  for  home,  ha&  been  informed  by  the 
Director  and  Council,  that  he  must  pay  his  own  fare.  If  this 
is  so  understood  in  Holland,  then  the  poor  man  will  retain  but  little 
of  his  salary ;  for  the  fare  for  his  passage  would  swallow  up  most 
of  it.  Considering  this  fact,  will  not  your  Keverences  please  to 
assist  him  with  the  Directors,  that  he  may  be  exempted  from  this 
hardship. 

Correspondence  from  America.    Eev.  John  Megapolensis  to  Classis 

of  Amsterdam. 

Aug.  25th,  1648. 

Eeverend,  Godly  and  Learned  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ. 
The  Grace  of  God  be  multiplied  unto  you :  — 

After  the  Lord  God  was  pleased  to  cut  short  the  thread  of  life 
of  Domine  Bogardus  by  shipwreck,  (1647),  who  was  late  preacher 
at  the  Manhattans  in  ISTew  ISTetherland,  his  widow  came  here  to 
Port  Orange,  in  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  to  reside  and  make 
her  living.  She  has  nine  living  children,  some  by  a  former  hus- 
band and  some  by  Domine  Bogardus,  and  is  also  deeply  in  debt. 
She  has,  however,  no  way  to  liquidate  her  debts,  nor  means  for  her 
own  subsistence,  unless  the  West  India  Company  pay  her  the  ar- 


*  Repeated    corrections   In  the  original   have   made   portions  of  ttiis   letter   very 
illegible. 


238  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1648 

rears  of  salary  due  her  husband.     Domine  Bogardiis  repeatedly 

asserted  that  a  higher  salary  was  promised  him,  before  leaving 

Holland,  than  he  ever  received  here.     I  shall,  therefore,  in  order 

to  explain  this,  repeat,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection,  what  I  have 

heard  from  him. 

It  is  now  about  two  years  since  I  was  called  upon  by  Director- 
General  William  Kieft,  to  settle  the  difficulties  between  said  Kieft 
and  Domine  Bogardus.  I  attempted  several  times  to  smoothe  the 
differences  which  had  arisen  here,  but  all  in  vain.  Domine  Bo- 
gardus asserted  that  it  could  not  be  done  here,  but  that  the  matter 
ought  to  be  laid  before  the  Hon.  Directors ;  or  even  if  it  could  be 
determined  here,  he  would,  nevertheless,  be  obliged  to  go  home^ 
in  order  to  demand,  before  his  death,  the  salary  promised  him^ 
for  the  maintenance  and  support  of  his  family.  For  if  he  himself 
did  not  ask  for  it  during  the  life  time  of  those  who  knew  about 
it,  it  would  be  difficult  to  succeed  through  others. 

For  salary  was  promised  to  him  as  to  other  preachers  in  the 
service  of  the  Company,  not  by  the  Hon.  Directors,  but  by  the  Bev. 
Classis,  or  at  least  by  the  Deputies  of  the  same;  among  these  he 
mentioned,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  Domine  Badius.  He  had  urged 
him  to  go  to  jSTew  ISTetherland,  and  had  promised  to  arrange  with 
the  Company,  that  he  should  have  a  salary,  the  same  as  other 
preachers  in  the  service  of  the  Company.  Nevertheless,  he  had 
been  paid  for  a  considerable  time  only  46  guilders  per  month, 
with  150  guilders  extra  per  year,  for  board  money.  He  asserted 
that  according  to  the  promise  made  to  him,  there  is  still  due  him  a 
considerable  sum  for  salary  and  board  money.  This  is  in  sub- 
stance what  he  told  me  about  it,  as  far  as  I  can  remember ;  and 
if  it  be  true,  there  ought  to  be  in  existence  a  written  and  signed 
document  to  that  effect,  or  at  least  a  memorandum  thereof  by 
some  of  the  Rev.  Deputies. 

Annetje  Bogardus,  widow  of  Domine  Bogardus,  on  the  supposi- 
tion that  this  is  correct,  has  requested  me  to  write  to  the  Rev. 
Classis,  in  her  name  and  in  her  behalf,  in  order  that  the  Rev. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  239 

Classis,  or  the  Deputies  thereof,  might,  for  the  sake  of  a  preacher's 
widow,  petition  the  Company  for  the  money  due  her,  to  be  paid  to 
her  or  her  attorney,  to  enable  her  to  pay  her  debts  and  support 
her  family. 

Last  year  I  wrote  to  my  Lord  Patroon,  and  to  the  Rev.  Dep- 
uties for  my  discharge,  and  that  some  one  else  should  be  appointed 
in  my  place.  But  I  have  learned  by  a  letter  from  Domine  Wit- 
tenwrongel,  that  I  must  have  patience  and  remain  here  until  the 
summer  of  this  year.  I  have  therefore  repeated  my  request  in 
letters  to  the  Patroons  and  to  the  Rev.  Deputies,  as  I  herewith 
do  again,  that  another  teacher  be  sent  in  the  first  ships  to  take  my 
place;  or  at  least  that  I  should  have  permission  to  return  home. 
For  as  my  term  has  expired,  and  my  wife  and  children  have  all 
returned  to  the  Fatherland,  I  do  not  intend  to  remain  here  any 
longer  than  the  coming  summer,  when  the  ships  return  to  Europe. 

I  think  that  I  have  remained  at  my  station  here  in  this  wild 

country  (long  enough,)   and  have  had  troubles  and   difficulties 

enough.    Another  who  may  succeed  me  will  find  it  better  and  more 

comfortable.     In  conclusion,  I  commend  you  all  to  God  and  to  the 

word  of  his  grace.     Remember  me  in  your  prayers. 

Yours  obediently, 

Aug.  25th,  1648.  Joannes  Megapolensis. 

Rev.  Backerus. 

1648,  Sept.  14th. 

A  certain  letter  was  read  from  Rev.  Backerus,  written  in  l^ew 
IN'etherland,  in  which  he  asks  that  he  may  be  relieved  from  his 
charge  there,  towards  spring,  and  another  minister,  by  that  time, 
be  provided  in  his  place.  The  matter  was  referred  to  the  Rev. 
Brethren  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas.     v.  99. 

Rev.  Megapolensis. 

1648,  Sept.  14th. 

A  certain  letter  was  read  from  Rev.  Megapolensis,  minister  at 
Rensselaer's  Wyck,  in  which  he  makes  known  his  willingness  to 
remain  there  for  the  present  year,  but  intends  to  leave  for  the 


1648 


1648 


240  Ecclesiastical  Eecoeds 

Fatherland  in  the  spring.  He  asks  that  by  that  time  another 
minister  may  be  provided  in  his  stead.  It  was  resolved  to  commit 
the  procuring  of  the  same  to  the  Eev.  Brethren  Depntati  ad  res 
Indicas,  who  shall  also  confer  with  the  patrons  of  that  church 
on  this  matter,     v.  100. 

Matters  Memorialized  to  the  XIX. 

1648,  Sept.  28th. 

It  was  reported  that  just  as  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX  was 
about  to  adjourn,  and  our  regular  sessions  were  about  to  begin, 
that  Kev.  Eleazar  Zwalmius,"  together  with  the  clerk,  had  laid 
before  the  said  Assembly  certain  matters,  which  in  compliance 
with  resolution  of  Classis,  were  to  be  proposed  to  it,  as  follows: 

1.  That  the  Siecken-Troosters,  located  at  forts  where  there 
are  children,  ought  to  be  obligated  to  keep  school;  provided  that 
they  might  enjoy  some  compensation  therefor  from  the  Company. 

2.  That  some  more  ministers  ought  to  be  sent  thither. 

3.  That  no  men  and  women  should  be  sent  thither,  as  mar- 
ried, unless  their  marriage  was  beyond  dispute  or  legal  proofs 
were  exhibited.  In  default  of  such  evidences,  many  disorders  had 
crept  in,  which  were  very  objectionable  in  the  place,  and  after- 
ward    

4.  That  the  gentlemen  would  be  pleased  to  grant,  that  the  copy 
of  one  Synodical  Acta  be  sent,  at  the  expense  of  the  Company,  to 
the  brethren  in  Brazil. 

To  this  was  added  at  the  same  time,  the  following  requests, 
on  the  strength  of  what  Kev.  Grebius  had  exhibited  to  the  said 
brethren  who  had  come  from  Brazil  with  the  last  ships: 

1.  Approbation  of  the  repeal  of  the  previous  resolution^ 
adopted  by  the  XIX,  regarding  the  abolition  of  the  sittings  of 
civilians  in  the  Classis  of  Brazil;  and  that  this  be  announced  to 
the  Highest  Officials  there,  inasmuch  as  they  have  not  yet  been 
willing  to  give  this  up. 

*  Rev.   Eleazar  Swalmlus  was  called  from  Schiedam  to  Amsterdam  in  1621,  and 
died  on  June  4,  1662. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  241 

2.  That  a  larger  number  of  Siecken-Troosters,  as  well  as  of 
ministers,  be  granted;  as  at  the  forts  Altena,  d'Avogades,  de  Bar- 
ettes,  there  are  none,  and  but  one  in  the  army.     xx.  206,  207. 

Written  to  the  Brethren  of  Zeeland. 

1648,  Sept.  28th. 

The  Clerk  also  reported,  that,  in  compliance  with  the  resolu- 
tion of  Classis,  he  had  written  to  the  Committee  in  Zeeland,  on 
Indian  Affairs,  (as  follows):  That  inasmuch  as  the  XVII  were 
now  assembled  at  Middelburg,  the  Rev.  Brethren  (of  Zeeland) 
would  be  pleased,  for  the  good  of  the  churches  of  the  East  Indies, 
to  memorialize  them  regarding  the  following  matters: 

1.  That  a  goodly  number  of  laborers  for  the  service  of  the 
churches  of  the  Indies  should  again,  and  newly,  be  granted;  in- 
asmuch as,  over  and  above  the  re-partition  made  last  year  by  the 
Messrs.  Directors,  there  ought  to  be  more  ministers,  especially 
at  Batavia,  Tayowae,  and  other  places;  and  especially,  because, 
since  that  time,  six  ministers  have  died. 

2.  That  in  the  future  ministers  ought  to  be  established  at 
Batavia;  and  that  this  Consistory,  in  the  matter  of  the  sending 
out  of  the  ministers,  ought  to  have  more  authority  and  power. 
For  it  is  intolerable  that  the  Lord  General  there,  should  arro- 
gate that  power  exclusively  to  himself. 

3.  That  the  Portuguese  services  in  the  said'  community  of 
Batavia  should  be  continued,  as  well  as  the  Malay  services;  for 
it  has  always  been  observed  that  this  service  has  been  attended 
with  much  more  fruit  and  edification;  and  it  would  be  entirely 
unreasonable  that  so  many  native  Christians  should  be  forced  to 
miss  the  food  of  their  souls. 

4.  That  the  Diaconate  should  have  its  portion  of  the  fines 
which  are  imposed  by  the  sentences  of  the  courts,  after  the  man- 
ner of  this  country. 

16 


1648 


1648 


242  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

All  these  matters,  in  accordance  with  the  considerations  of  Rev. 
John  Rogerius,  which  have  been  handed  in  to  the  Classis,  are 
extensively  elucidated  for  the  said  brethren  of  Zeelandt,  and 
clothed  with  reasons,     xx.  207. 

1648,  Oct.   5th. 

A  certain  letter  from  Rev.  Backerns  (was  read)  written  in  ^ew 
!N'etherland,  in  which  he  requests  to  be  released  from  his  service 
there  by  the  spring,  and  that  another  pastor  be  then  appointed  to 
fill  his  place.  The  matter  is  referred  to  the  brethren  Deputati 
ad  res  Indicas. 

A  letter  from  the  Rev.  Megapolensis,  pastor  at  Renselaers- 
wvck  was  read,  in  which  he  informs  us  that  he  will  remain  there 
during  the  present  year,  but  intends  to  return  to  the  Fatherland 
next  spring.  He  requests  also  that  by  that  time  another  pastor 
be  obtained  for  his  place. 

Resolved.  That  we  commit  the  case  of  this  business  to  the  Rev. 
Deputati  ad  res  Indicas,  who  will  also  speak  concerning  this  mat- 
ter with  the  patroons  of  the  Colony. 

XXVI.  15.—  See  CoL  Hist.  i.  308,  310,  317. 


^ 


Pieter  Yander  Linden.' 

1648,  Oct.  26. 

At  the  meeting  it  was  considered  very  necessary  that  another 
suitable  person  should  be  appointed  (pre-centor)  in  place  of  Jan 
Stevensen.  It  was  learned  that,  for  the  present,  no  more  suitable 
person  could  be  foimd  on  the  Island  of  Manhattans  to  perform 
the  duties  of  Reader,  etc.,  than  Pieter  Yander  Linden.  They 
have,  therefore,  appointed  the  said  Pieter  Yander  Linden  at  an 
annual  salary  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  guilders,  until  another 
qualified  person  should  be  sent  out  from  Holland. 

*  Peter  Vander  Linden  and  wife  arrived  at  Manhattan,  1639,  He  was  a  sur- 
geon and  quite  a  prominent  man  in  tlie  colony,  and  was  owner  of  considerable  real 
estate.  In  1647,  he  sold  his  plantation  on  Manhattan  Island,  on  the  old  Vraackill. 
It  extended  along  the  East  River  300  paces.  Probably  domine  Benjamin  Van  der 
Linde,  1748-1788,  was  a  descendant. 


'  OF  THE  State  of  N'ew  York.  243 

1648 

Another  Translation  in  Dnnsheej  20. 

Matters  about  which  to  Memorialize  the  XIX. 

1648,  Oct.  26th. 

It  is  laid  to  our  charge  to  advance  before  the  XIX  these  fol- 
lowing matters: 

1.  That  the  former  resolution  of  the  XIX,  regarding  the  aboli- 
tion of  the  session  of  civilians  in  the  Classis  of  Brazil,  may  be 
carried  into  effect  (may  be  followed  up)  and  the  chief  govern- 
ment may  be  addressed. 

2.  That  regulations  may  be  made  for  the  instruction  of 
Negroes,  upon  the  basis  projected  by  the  Classis  of  Brazil. 

3.  To  hand  in  to  the  XIX  the  petition  of  the  ministers  at  the 
Recife,  and  to  recommend  the  contents  of  the  same. 

Further  we  are  charged  to  write  to  the  Classes  of  Alkmaar  and 

of  Edam,  to  thank  them  in  the  name  of  the  Consistory  at  the 

Recife  for  the  linen  sent  over  for  the  benefit  of  the  Brazilians. 

XX.  208. 

1648,  Oct.  26th. 
Rev.  John  Van  Sauen  in  the  Chair. 

The  letter  of  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  pastor  in  the  colony  of 
Rentselaerswyck,  dated  Aug.  15th,  1648,  was  opened.  In  it  he 
renews  the  request  that  another  might  succeed  in  his  charge,  as 
he  could  remain  there  no  longer  than  the  next  summer.  His 
wife  and  children  had  already  departed  to  the  Fatherland.  He 
recommends  the  case  of  the  widow  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bogardus, 
late  pastor  at  the  Manhattans  in  N'ew  J^etherland  in  the  service 
of  the  West  India  Company;  that  the  Directors  be  urged,  in  her 
name,  to  make  settlement  and  payment  of  that  which  the  com- 
pany owes  her  husband,  that  she  may  be  supported  therefrom,  and 
satisfy  her  creditors.  It  was  resolved  to  communicate  this  letter 
to  the  Classis. 

A  letter  was  also  read  from  Rev.  John  Backerus,  formerly 
pastor  in  Curacoa,  and  now  detained  at  the  Manhattans,  because 
of  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bogardus  requesting  permission 


1648 


244  Ecclesiastical  Records 

that  he  may  administer  there  the  ordinances  of  the  word.  He 
also  renewed  his  previous  request  that  the  Directors  grant  him 
his  dismission,  and  that  another  may  be  sent  in  his  place.  Since 
it  was  also  in  the  highest  degree  necessary  that  a  Visitor  of  the 
Sick  and  a  schoolmaster  be  sent  to  that  place,  the  meeting 
resolved  to  communicate  this  writing  to  the  Classis. 

The  objections  of  the  XIX  will  be  treated  of  in  a  few  points, 
in  writing,  and  will  be  conveyed  to  them,  and  earnestly  enforced 
by  the  clerk  and  Rev.  Mr.  Lullinus.     xx.  208. 

1648,  Nov.  2nd. 
In   an  Order  from  the  Council  in  Fort  Amsterdam,    respecting  repairs  of   Fort 
Orange;   Domlne   Megapolensis  is  mentioned  as  the  agent  and  attorney  of  Jonas 
Bronck.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlr.  102. 


Directors  to  Peter  Stuyvesaxt  :    

Preachers  ; 

Among  many  letters  mentioned,  the  Directors  allude  to  three  letters  from  Domine 
Backerius,  dated  August  7th  and  September  2nd  and  22nd,  l(>iS. 


The  request  of  Domine  Backerus,  made  in  several  of  his  letters,  has  been  ap- 
proved as  reasonable  by  the  Classis  and  vv'e  were  therefore  obliged  to  grant  it. 
We  should  have  been  more  inconvenienced  by  it,  if  we  had  not  entertained  the  hope, 
that  perhaps  the  preacher  from  Rensselaerswyck,  Domine  Megapolensis,  could  be 
persuaded  by  fair  offers  to  remain  there  a  few  years  longer.  We  consent  to  it  very 
willingly  on  account  of  the  good  character  given  him  by  your  Honor.  It  is  true, 
his  wife  has  arrived  here,  it  being  the  intention,  that  he  should  soon  follow  her 
and  it  seems,  that  his  presence  in  person  is  required  here  for  the  liquidation  of  an 
estate.  In  which  he  appears  to  be  much  interested  nevertheless  we  have  held  tire- 
some conferences  with  his  wife,  and  it  seems,  that  she  could  be  persuaded  to  return 
thither  to  her  husband,  if  she  were  assured,  that  she  would  not  incur  his  displeasure. 
After  having  overcome  his  objections  we  hope  to  induce  her  to  consent  to  our  plan 
and  we  shall  then  consider  his  salary,  which  we  expect  to  make  satisfactory  to  him. 
You  will  therefore  on  receipt  of  this  letter  try  to  persuade  him,  to  comply  with  the 
requirements  of  God's  Church  and  his  community,  the  more  so,  as  it  is  to  be  feared, 
that  we  may  not  be  able  for  some  time  to  provide  this  church  with  a  minister:  this 
measure  is  therefore  the  most  advisable. 

We  shall  also  look  out  now  for  a  good  school  teacher  and  gather  information  con- 
cerning the  man  living  in  Harlem,  whom  you  propose. 

Your  Honor's  appointment  of  Roeloff  Jansen  as  Receiver-General  at  a  yearly 
salary  of  four  hundred  and  eighty  florins  without  rations  induces  us  to  believe,  that 
you  must  have  a  good  knowledge  of  his  honesty:  on  that  understanding  we  approve 
of  it  herewith,  although  in  our  straightened  circumstances  all  possible  retrench- 
ments should  be  made,  for  which  reason  we  have  here  discharged  all  subaltern  ofla- 
cers,  and  we  believe  from  information  received,  that  there  too  are  more  than  enough 
officers;  all  unnecessary  ofllcers  should  therefore  be  discharged,  we  cannot  afford  to 
keep  them. 

Although  it  is  without  precedent,  that  this  Department  has  ever  been  godfather  of 
any  children,  having,  when  invited,  always  refused  it  for  certain  good  reasons;  yet 
the  Board  grants  herewith  your  Honor's  request,  expecting  to  be  informed  of  the 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  245 

child's  name,  to  have  it  properly  registered,  that  the  Company,   when  in  a  better 
financial  condition,  may  be  reminded  to  reciprocate  this  honor  by  a  keepsake.     Mean 
while  we  shall  pray  to  God,  that  He  may  let  grow  up  this  child,  born  in  New  Nether- 
land,  to  His  glory  and  to  his  parents'  happiness.—  Col.  Docs.   N.   Y,  xlv.  102,  108, 
107.  i 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Acts  of  the  Deputies.     (The  Assembly  of  the  XIX.) 

Eeport  of  what  is  determined,  in  reference  to  ecclesiastical 
matters,  by  the  XIX. 

To  write  to  the  churches  of  the  other  (four)  Chambers  (of  the 
West  India  Company)  that  the  ministers  and  siecken-t roosters 
who  are  needed  for  the  chui'ches  of  Brazil,  and  for  whom  they 
(the  other  four  Chambers)  are  responsible,  should  be  sent. 

1648,  Nov.  30th. 

The  brethren  —  who  were  directed  to  memorialize  the  Assem- 
bly of  the  XIX,  upon  those  ecclesiastical  points  concerning  which 
the  Classis  of  Brazil  had  asked  our  aid  —  reported  on  their  com- 
mission. Thev  also  read  an  extract  from  the  resolution  of  the 
Hon.  XIX  upon  said  points.  It  was  resolved  to  communicate 
the  said  extract  to  the  Eev.  Classis.  In  the  meantime,  inas- 
much as  it  appears  from  the  resolutions  of  the  XIX  in  reference 
to  the  increase  of  the  number  of  ministers  and  siecken-troosters 
in  Brazil,  that  the  sending  of  more  ministers  and  siecken-troos- 
ters lies  to  the  charge  of  the  Chambers  of  the  Meuse,  West  Fries- 
land,  and  the  North  Quarter,"^  it  was  resolved  to  write  to  the 
ministers  of  the  respective  localities,  in  order  that  they  may  urge 
this  matter  upon  the  Messrs.  Directors.  Also,  the  last  letters 
sent  to  us,  of  the  Classis  of  Brazil,  of  the  Consistory  at  the  Recife, 
and  of  the  ministers  of  the  said  church  shall  be  answered.  There 
shall  also  be  sent  over  the  letter  of  the  XIX  to  the  chief  govern- 
ment there,  touching  the  sitting  of  civilians,  (in  ecclesiastical 
bodies),  which  have  been  abolished  there,  by  the  same.  xx.  209, 
210. 

*  Amsterdam  and  Zeeland  or  Middleburg  were  the  other  two  Chambers,  making 
five  in  all. 


1648 


1648 


246  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

1648,  mv.  30tli. 
Rev.  Eliazor  Swalmiiis  in  the  Chair. 

It  was  resolved  to  institute  all  proper  endeavors  to  procure 
pastors  for  Loando  and  'New  Netherland.  Also  if  an  opportunity 
occur  to  write  to  Loando.  The  communication  from  the  pastor 
settled  there  will  be  answered,    xx.  210. 

Letter  from  Rev.  Megapolensis. 

1648,  Dec.  7th. 

Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  read  a  letter  from  Rev.  Mega- 
polensis, in  which  he  makes  known  the  distressing  condition  of 
the  widow  of  Rev.  Bogardus.  She  is  burdened  with  a  large 
family,  and  cannot  decently  maintain  herself.  He  makes  request 
in  behaK  of  said  widow,  that  the  Rev.  Classis  will  be  pleased  to 
intercede  with  the  worthy  Directors,  that  the  arrears  of  salary 
which  are  still  due  her  late  husband,  may  be  paid  to  her.  He 
mentions  also  in  the  same  letter  his  intention  of  coming  to  Patria 
in  the  spring.  He  asks  that  the  Rev.  Assembly  will  please  to  see 
to  it  that  another  minister  be  sent  to  supply  his  place,     v.  107, 

108 ;  xxvi.  20. 

1648,  Dec.  7th. 

Letter  from  Rev.  John  Backerus. 

There  was  also  read  a  letter  from  Rev.  John  Backerus,  pastor 
in  I^ew  l^etherland,  in  which  he  seeks  his  dismission  that  he  may 
return  home  at  once.  He  presents  for  this  various  reasons.  To 
this  end,  he  also  requests  that  the  Rev.  Assembly  would  be 
pleased,  at  the  earliest  opportunity,  to  see  that  another  pastor  be 
sent  thither,  and  also  a  good  experienced  schoolmaster,  whose 
services  are  very  much  needed  at  that  place,     v.  108 ;  xxvi.  20. 

Sending  Pastors  to  !N'ew  ISTetherland. 

All  this  has  been  referred  to  the  Rev.  Brethren  ad  res  Indicas. 
They,  meantime,  have  informed  the  Rev.  Assembly  that  there 
are  three  pastors  now  needed,  one  for  ISTew  E'etherland,  one  for 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  247 

1648 

St.  Paul  de  Loando,  and  one  for  Muscovy.     They  requested  the 

Kev.  Brethren  to  seek  out  suitable  persons  to  be  sent  to  these 

places,     xxvi.  20,  21. 

1648,  Dec.  28th. 
Rev.  Mr.  Lullius  in  the  Chair. 

A  letter  from  Rev.  John  Backerus,  pastor  at  Manhattans  in 
ISTew  Motherland,  dated  Sept.  22nd,  1648,  was  opened.  In  this 
he  urged  Ms  former  request.  In  reporting  the  condition  of 
the  church,  he  repeats  his  complaints  about  the  great  number 
of  inns.  A  letter  was  also  read,  accompanying  the  above,  from 
the  elders  and  deacons  of  the  same  church,  which  also  consented 
to  the  dismissal  of  their  present  pastor.  They  earnestly  re- 
quested that  an  old,  experienced,  and  godly  minister  might  be 
sent  to  them,  lest  their  congregation,  already  in  great  confusion 
by  reason  of  the  death  of  their  late  pastor,  (Bogardus)  should 
dmndle  away  altogether.  They  also  declare  that  they  stand  in 
great  need  of  an  experienced  schoolmaster,  since  there  was  an 
increasing  number  of  young  persons,  in  order  that  they  might 
be  reared  under  better  discipline.  To  this  end  they  make  men- 
tion of  Samuel  Bayart,  book-keeper  and  teacher  of  French  and 
German  at  Bergen-of-Zoom,  and  of  Daniel  Samuels,  also  teacher 
of  French  and  German  at  Haerlem;  with  the  understanding  that 
should  either  of  these,  or  some  one  else  of  equal  qualification, 
be  induced  to  go  thither,  efforts  would  be  made  to  provide  a 
proper  support  for  the  same,  in  addition  to  the  Company's  sal- 
ary. Resolved,  that  we  communicate  the  above  correspondence 
to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Classis. 

Each  of  the  brethren  was  again  requested  to  look  around 
earnestly  for  qualified  preachers  to  be  sent  to  !N^ew  Netherland 
and  to  Loando  St.  Paulo,     xx.  210. 


248  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

1649 

Extract  from  a  Lea^e  of  Van  Rensselaer,  Jan.  14,  1649,  for  the 
old  Indian  maize  lands  at  the  Catskills,  rented  to  Jan  Dirck- 
sen  of  Bremen. 

^^  The  tenant  is  to  read  a  sermon  or  portion  of  Scripture  every 
Sunday  and  High  Festival  to  the  Christians  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  to  sing  one  or  more  Psalms,  before  and  after  prayers,  agree- 
ably to  the  customs  of  the  Church  of  Holland  '\ 

1649,  Jan.  25th. 
Rev.  Eliazur  Swalmius  in  the  Chair. 

The  brethren  are  still  charged  to  look  about  for  a  qualified 
person  to  be  sent  as  pastor  to  Xew  Xetherland.  Since*  Loando 
St.  Paulo  has  been  taken  by  the  Portuguese,  it  will  not  be  neces- 
sary to  trouble  ourselves  any  longer  about  supplying  that  place. 
XX.  211. 

1649,  March  15th. 
Rev.  Megapolensis. 

Rev.  William  Grasmeer,  pastor  at  Grafdyck,  with  his  mother- 
in-law,  the  wife  of  Rev.  Megapolensis,  were  admitted,  and  at 
once  made  a  request;  viz.:  Inasmuch  as  his  father-in-law  has 
more  than  fulfilled  the  time  of  his-  ministrations  in  Kew  Nether- 
land,  having  been  there  now  over  seven  years,  that  the  Rev. 
Assembly  be  pleased  to  direct  that  he  be  honorably  discharged 
from  service  there,  and  that  another  pastor  take  his  place. 

The  Rev.  Deputati  at  res  Indicas  then  reported  on  this  sub- 
ject. They  informed  the  Rev.  Assembly  that  they  had  con- 
ferred with  the  Patroons  of  that  place  with  regard  to  this  matter, 
and  they  had  declared  that  they  would  prefer  to  retain  him  there 
for  some  time  to  come. 

Since,  however,  the  letters  of  the  Rev.  Megapolensis,  and  the 
presence  now  of  his  wife  and  son-in-law  manifested  gi-eat  dis- 
satisfaction; therefore  it  was  determined  that  the  Rev.  Deputies 
above  mentioned  shall  confer  still  further  with  the  Patroons, 
and  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Classis,  two  weeks  from  to-day^ 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  249 

1649 

they  shall  inform  the  Rev.  Assembly  concerning  this  matter. 
Due  consideration  shall  then  be  given  to  it.  xxvi.  33;  v.  113, 
114. 

Megapolensis. 

1649,  March  29th. 

In  regard  to  the  case  of  Rev.  Megapolensis,  the  Rev.  Depu- 
tati  ad  res  Indicas  reported,  that  they  had  conferred  about  hi^ 
church  with  the  Patroons  of  that  place.  These  had  told  them 
that  they  would  gladly  have  seen  Rev.  Megapolenais  to  have  re- 
mained there  a  while  longer,  but  having  understood  his  disin- 
clination to  do  so,  they  would  not  keep  him  there  against  his 
will.  They  would  permit  him  to  come  over  to  Patria,  in  order 
to  confer  with  him,  and  to  ascertain  whether  he  might  not  have 
a  desire  therefor.  At  any  rate  they  would  like  to  confer  with 
him  before  another  preacher  should  be  sent  in  his  place. 

Meantime  they  would  gladly  see  Rev.  Megapolensis  make 
some  arrangements  before  his  departure  for  the  continuance  of 
some  form  of  service,  such  as  the  readkig  of  some  chapters  of 
God's  Word,  or  some  good  homilies  (postilla). 

The  Rev.  Assembly  having  heard  this  report,  resolved  to  grant 
the  Rev.  Megapolensis  his  dismission,  and  the  Rev.  Deputies 
aforesaid  shall  inform  him  of  the  same.  They  shall  also  inform 
him  of  the  good  feeling  that  exists  and  the  desire  of  the  Pa- 
trons. This  action  was  announced  to  the  Rev.  Grasmeer.  v.  116; 
xxvi.  36. 

1649,  April  13th. 

Rev.  Eliazur  Swalmius  in  the  Chair. 

It  was  resolved  to  answer  at  the  earliest  opportunity  the  let- 
ters to  ISTew  ISTetherland,  one  from  the  pastor,  and  one  from  the 
consistory,  as  also  the  communication  of  the  Rev.  John  Mega- 
polensis.    XX.  214. 


1649 


v 

250  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

1649,  April  26th. 
Eev.  Swalmiiis  in  the  Chair. 

The  letters  from  'New  ISTetherland  have  been  answered  by 
Rev.  Wittenwrongel.     xx.  215. 

These  letters  are  as  follows:  xxvi.  38,  39.  The  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  to  Rev.  John  Backerus,  !N^ew  N^etherland,  April  26th, 
1649. 

Rev.  Wise,  Most  Provident  and  Godlv  Brother: — 

Your  Reverence's  communications  have  reached  us  safely. 
From  these  we  understand  your  great  desire  to  be  released  from 
your  service  in  the  church  of  ISTew  ISTetherland. 

We  can  see,  indeed,  that  for  this  you  have  urgent  and  mighty 
reasons.  But  it  grieves  us  that  we  have  not  yet  been  able  to  find 
a  suitable  person  to  succeed  you,  and  to  take  charge  of  the  ser- 
vice in  so  demoralized  a  church,  and  we  fear  that  we  shall  not 
succeed  very  soon.  The  reason  is,  on  account  of  the  impover- 
ished condition  of  the  Company.  Hence  there  is  but  little  de- 
sire either  on  the  part  of  experienced  pastors  or  candidates  to 
undertake  so  long  a  journey.  We  shall  not  neglect,  however, 
to  use  all  efforts,  until  we  succeed  in  finding  an  energetic 
minister. 

Meanwhile  we  thank  you  for  the  representation  of  the  condi- 
tion of  the  church  in  your  province.  We  shall  neglect  no  effort 
to  advance  her  prosperity  with  the  Hon.  Directors,  and  we  shall 
take  into  serious  consideration  what  has  been  so  earnestly  com- 
mended to  us,  both  in  your  commimication,  and  in  that  of  the 
Rev.  Consistory,  viz.,  to  search  out  an  experienced  schoolmaster 
as  well  as  pastor.  The  prosperity  of  the  church  is  in  the  highest 
degree  dependent  on  the  proper  training  of  the  tender  youth. 

These  and  other  matters  we  shall  present  at  the  meeting  of 
the  Hon.  XIX,  and  seek  to  advance  them  vdtk  all  possible  Zeal. 
We  shall  then  acquaint  you  with  the  result,  and  also  hope  at 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  261 

1649 

that  time  to  answer  the  coirnniinication  of  your  Eev.  Consistory 

at  greater  length. 

Closing  heremth,  we  commend  you  to  God  and  the  word  of 

his  grace.      With  our  hearty  greetings  to  you  and  the  worthy 

brethren  of  the  consistory,  we  are  and  remain, 

Your  fellow-brethren  to  command. 

The  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas,  etc. 

April  26,  1649.  P.  Jacobus  Beth. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Eev.  John  Megapolensis,  in  New 
Netherland,  April  26th,  1649.     xxvi.  38. 

The  Peace  of  Christ. 

Eev.,  Wise,  Provident,  Plighly  Learned  and  Godly  co-laborer 
and  Brother  in  the  Harvest  of  the  Lord: — 

Your  Eeverence's  communication  of  July  26th,  1648,  came 
safely  to  hand.  From  this  we  understand  that  you  continue 
urgently  to  insist  upon  your  dismission  from  the  service  at 
Eensselaers^vyck. 

We  have  not  omitted  to  recommend  your  case  to  the  Hon. 
Patroons,  inasmuch  as  your  time  has  now  expired,  and  to  request 
their  permission  for  us  to  look  about  for  another  pastor,  to 
succeed  you  in  your  place. 

But  although  we  have  found  that  the  said  Patroons  do  not 
any  longer  msli  to  render  your  dismissal  difficult,  as  you  will 
have  learned  from  their  writings;  nevertheless  they  are  reluctant 
to  send  another  pastor  before  they  have  conferred  with  you  con- 
cerning the  matter  after  your  arrival  here.  You  also  know 
full  well  that  the  differences  existing  between  the  Patroons  and 
the  other  partners,  occasion  great  difficulties  in  this  business. 
Hence  the  Eev.  Classis,  having  duly  considered  the  matter,  and 
having  understood  from  your  communication,  as  also  from  the 
oral  statement  of  your  wife,  that  you  are  fully  determined  to 
leave  your  service  at  Eensselaerswyck,  is  unmlling  to  make  your 
dismissal  more  difficult,  but  cheerfully  grant  your  request;  only 


1649 


252  Ecclesiastical  Records 

thev  ask  you  to  be  pleased  at  your  departure  to  establish  some 
fixed  order,  that  some  form  of  worship  may  be  kept  up,  with 
the  reading  of  God's  word,  the  singing  of  Psalms,  the  reading 
of  some  edifpng  sermons,  etc.,  so  that  the  church  do  not  at 
once  become  demoralized,  and  the  good  work  begun  there,  and 
advanced  by  your  diligence,  decline. 

Meantime  trusting  that  we  shall  be  authorized  by  the  Patroons 
to  look  about  for  another  pastor,  we  herewith  close,  commend- 
ing you  to  God  and  the  word  of  his  grace.  With  our  hearty  re- 
spects, we   are  and  remain. 

Your  brethren  to  command, 

April  2G,  1649.  The  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas,  etc. 

Minute  of  a  Visit  of  the  Directoe-Genebal  to  Rev.  Mb. 
Backeeius^  to  Forbid  Him  to  Read,  or  to  Allow  to  be 
Read,  Any  Political  Writings  in  the  Church. 

This  day  underwritten  the  Director-General  went  in  person  to  the  house  of  the 
minister  Backerius,  and  there,  in  his  capacity  as  Director,  told  the  minister  not  to 
read  himself,  or  have  read  by  any  of  the  Church  officers,  from  the  pulpit  or  else- 
where in  the  Church,  at  the  request  of  any  of  the  inhabitants,  any  writing,  petition 
or  proposal  having  relation  to  the  municipal  or  general  government,  whether  gen- 
eral or  in  particular,  before  and  until  such  writing  shall  be  signed  by  the  Director 
himself,  or  by  the  Secretary,  by  order  of  the  Director  and  Council;  but  this  is  not  to 
apply  to  ecclesiastical  affairs  which  are  left  at  the  full  disposal  of  said  ministers 
and  Consistory.  Therein  he  shall  be  at  liberty  to  order,  agreeably  to  church  ordi- 
nances and  the  duty  of  a  godly  minister,  wherein  said  Director  General  offers  him 
all  aid  and  assistance  as  far  as  this  concerns  him  as  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  country. 

This  done  in  the  presence  of  Councillor  La  Montague  and  Secretary  TIenhoveu, 
this  8th  of  May,  1649.— Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv.  114. 

6'Cailaghftn's  remark  thereon:  1649.  And  so  fearful  still  were  the  authorities 
that  means  would  be  found  to  communicate,  during  divine  service,  with  the  people, 
that  "  the  Director  General  went  in  person  to  Domine  Backerus,  and  told  him  that 
he  should  not  be  permitted,  at  the  request  of  any  individuals,  to  read  from  the  pulpit 
to  the  congregation,  under  any  pretence,  either  by  himself  or  any  of  the  deacons, 
any  propositions  whatsoever,  appertaining  to  the  police  or  general  government,  be- 
fore such  writings  had  been  signed  by  the  secretary  by  order  of  the  Director,  or  by 
the  Director  and  Council." 

These  measures  had  the  effect  only  of  hastening  the  departure  of  the  clergyman 
from  New  Amsterdam,  and  of  urging  the  opposition  more  strongly  In  their  course. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Backerus  requested  his  dismissal  shortly  after.  He  returned  to  Hol- 
land to  swell  the  number  of  complaints  against  General  Stuyvesant;  and  Adrlaen 
van  der  Donok,  Jacob  van  Couwenhoven,  and  Jan  Evertsen  Bout  followed,  in  the 
course  of  the  succeeding  month,  as  agents  for  the  colonists. —  O'Callaghan't  History 
of  New  Netherland,  Vol.   ii.  94. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  253 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.     Gideon  Schaats,   Schoolmaster  at  Beest. 

1649,  June  28th. 

Gideon  Schaats,  schoolmaster  at  Beest,*  appeared  with  very 
good  testimonial  from  the  Classis  of  Bueren.  He  asked  to  go, 
in  the  capacity  of  siecken-trooster  to  the  East  Indies.  But  in- 
asmuch as,  with  the  permission  of  the  Classis,  he  had  for  some 
time  exercised  himself  in  "  proponeren  '^  (exercises  preparatory  to 
the  ministry),  and  has  good  hope  of  being  admitted  to  the  prepara- 
tory examination  at  the  next  Synod  of  South  Holland,  he  was 
informed  that  he  was  provisionally  accepted  by  us  as  '^  Recom- 
mended " ;  and  that  in  the  meantime  he  must  seek  to  push  his 
desires  in  the  said  Synod,     xx.  216. 

Permit  to  E.ev.  Johannes  Backerus,  Minister  of  ISTew  Am- 
sterdam, TO  Eesign  His  Office  and  Return  to  Holland. 

Johannes  Backerlus,  minister  in  this  city  New  Amsterdam,  appeared  before  the 
Council  and  requested  his  dismission,  In  order  that  he  may  return  to  Fatherland; 
therefore  the  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council,  having  considered  the 
urgent  request,  cannot  refuse  said  Backerius  his  dismission;  the  said  Director  and 
Council  have  accordingly  granted  him  leave  to  depart  for   Fatherland. 

This  6th  of  July,   1649. 

Col.    Docs.    N.    Y.    xiv.    115. 

Resolution.  To  retain  and  engage  Kev.  Johannes  Megapolensis  as  minister  of 
the  Church  at  New  Amsterdam. 

Aug.   2,    1649. 

Whereas  Domlne  Johannes  Backerius  on  his  urgent  petition,  and,  as  he  declares 
with  the  consent  of  the  Classis,  wherein  the  despatches  of  the  Honorable  Directors 
concur,  has  received  from  us  license  and  dismission,  in  order  to  depart  with  the 
first  ships  for  Fatherland;  and  In  the  meantime  this  congregation  would  remain 
destitute  of  spiritual  nourishment,  namely  the  preaching  of  the  Holy  Gospel,  and 
the  lawful  participation  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament;  Therefore  we,  the  Director 
and  Council,  wishing  to  promote  as  far  as  we  are  able,  the  honor  of  God,  the 
welfare  and  salvation  of  men,  cannot  consent  that  this  congregation  ought  or 
can  remain  bereft  of  a  pastor:  Wherefore,  on  the  instructions  from  the  Honor- 
able Lords  Directors,  we  have  resolved,  as  we  do  hereby  resolve,  earnestly  and 
urgently  to  solicit  and  entreat  the  Reverend  Domine  Johannes  Megapolensis.  late 
minister  In  Rensselaerswyck,  who  having  obtained  his  dismission  there,  is  now 
here  and  prepared  to  depart  with  the  first  ships  for  Fatherland,  and  seriously 
and  urgently  to  Inquire  if  he  could  not  be  induced  by  persuasive  reasons,  for 
the  honor  of  God,  the  advancement  of  his  Church,  and  the  salvation  of  men  to 
supply  here  the  service  of  the  Word  and  the  administration  of  the  Holy  Sacra- 
ment.    His   Reverence   has,   as   we   are   already    informed,   no    weighty   reasons   to 


1649 


♦  Becst,  a  village  of  over  twenty  four  hundred  population,  in  Gelderland. 


1649 


254  Ecclesiastical  Records 

decline  our^  Invitation,  Meanwliile  the  extreme  need  of  the  church  work  Impera- 
tively demands,  that  at  least  one  clergyman  remain  in  this  province  among  the 
Dutch  people,  both  for  this  capital  and  Renselaer's  Colony,  were  it  only  for 
administering  Baptism  to  the  children  who  are  commonly  presented  here  every 
Sunday  at  the  Manhattans  for  baptism  alone,  sometimes  one,  sometimes  two, 
yea  even  three  and  four  together.  Therefore,  we  excusing  his  reasons,  cannot 
accept  them  at  this  time,  but  do  hereby  resolve,  if  possible,  to  endeavor  to  retain 
him  blanda  vi  et  quasi  nolens  volens,  and  we  shall  try  to  justify  him  to  the  best 
of  our  ability  both  to  the  Reverend  Classis  and  the  Patroon  from  whom  he  has 
already  received  his  dismission  and  settlement  of  account.  Such  we  resolve,  to 
be  most  necessary  for  the  honor  of  God,  the  service  of  his  Church,  and  the  salva- 
tion  of  the  people. 

Thus  done  in  our  Council  this  2nd  of  August;  present  —  The  Honorable  Director 
General,  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  L.  van  Dincklage,  H.  van  Dyck,  La  Montague,  and 
Brian  Nuton. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  116. 

Departure  of  Domine  Backerus,  and  Settlement  of  Domine 
Megapolensis  at  ]^ew  Amsterdam. 

August,   1649. 

By  the  departure  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Backerus,  New  Amsterdam  was  now  without 
a  clergyman.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Megapolensis  having  received  his  dismission  from  the 
colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  "  was  about  to  return  to  Fatherland,  in  the  first  sailing 
ship,"  and  thus  the  Dutch  colonists  were  to  be  deprived  of  the  solacing  comfort 
of  a  Christian  ministry.  To  prevent  this  misfortune,  the  Director  requested  Doctor 
Megapolensis,  "  for  the  honor  of  God,  for  the  increase  of  the  church,  and  the 
interest  of  men,"  to  remain  in  the  country  for  a  time  at  least. 

This  invitation  was  at  first  declined.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  Holland, 
and  he  was  also  anxious  to  follow  her,  as  his  presence  was  necessary  in  that 
country,  for  the  liquidation  of  an  estate  in  which  he  was  interested.  But  his 
stay  was  still  urged,  in  pursuance  to  instructions  from  the  Chamber  at  Amsterdam, 
"  if  it  were  only  for  the  instruction  of  the  children,  who  are  every  Sunday  pre- 
sented at  the  Manhattans  for  baptism  —  sometimes  one  —  sometimes  two  —  yae, 
sometimes  three  and  four  together;"  Otherwise,  it  was  apprehended  that  the  Church 
would  be  a  long  time  without  a  minister.  His  objections  were  at  length  overruled, 
and  the  Council  having  resolved  to  retain  him,  blanda  vi,  et  quasi  nolens,  volens," 
he  was  installed  minister  of  the  church  of  New  Amsterdam,  at  a  salary  of  twelve 
hundred  guilders,  or  four  hundred  and  eighty  dollars,  per  annum.*  —  O'Callaghan's 
History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  97. 

Remonstrance  of  the  People  of  New  I^etherland  to  the 

States  General. 

[See  Jan.  27,  1650,  and  Ap.  20,  1650,  and  :N'ov.  29,  1650.] 

(Abstract  and  Extracts.) 

1649,  July  28. 

[This  represents  the  condition  of  affairs  just  at  the  time  that  Domine  John 
Backerus  left  New  Amsterdam  for  Holland,  and  Domine  John  Megapolensis  left 
Fort  Orange  and  settled  at  New  Amsterdam.  We  are  concerned  principally  with 
what  relates  to  the  Church  history,  in  order  to  make  more  intelligible,  or  to  con- 
firm, the  documents  recently  received  (1898)  from  Amsterdam.] 

*  Alb.  Rec.  iv.,  16,  17,  23;  vii,,  229,  230,  251--256.  Rev,  Mr,  Megapolensis  was  au- 
thor of  a  tract  on  the  Mohawk  Indians,  entitled  Kort  Ontwerp  Van  de  Mahakuase 
Indianen  in  N,  Nederlandt,  haer  Lant,   Stature,  Dracht,  Manieren  en  Magistraten, 


OF  THE  State  of  N^ew  York.  255 

The    following    reference    Is    given    concerning    the    discovery    of    the    country, 
page  275. 

"  Among  all  the  enterprising  people  in  the  world,  who  search  for  foreign  coun- 
tries, navigable  waters  and  trade,  those  who  bear  the  name  of  Netherlanders 
will  very  easily  be  able  to  hold  their  rank  among  the  foremost,  as  Is  sufficiently 
known  to  all  those  who  have  in  any  wise  saluted  the  threshold  of  history.  It 
will,  in  like  manner,  be  also,  confirmed  by  our  following  Relation;  for  in  the  year 
of  Christ  1609,  was  the  country,  of  which  we  now  propose  to  speak,  first  found 
and  discovered  at  the  expense  of  the  General  East  India  Company  —  though  direct- 
ing their  aim  and  design  elsewhere  —  by  the  ship  de  Halve  Mane,  whereof  Henry 
Hudson  was  master  and  factor.  It  was  afterwards  named  New  Netherland  by 
our  people,  and  that  very  justly,  for  it  was  first  discovered,  and  taken  possession 
of,  by  Netherlanders  and  at  their  expense,  so  that  even  at  the  present  day,  the 
natives  of  the  country,  (who  are  so  old  as  to  remember  the  event)  testify,  that  on 
seeing  the  Dutch  ships  on  their  first  coming  here,  they  knew  not  what  to  make 
of  them,  and  could  not  comprehend,  whether  they  came  down  from  Heaven  or 
whether  they  were  Devils.  Some  among  them,  on  its  first  approach,  even  imagined 
it  to  be  a  fish,  or  some  sea  monster,  so  that  strange  rumor  concerning  it  flew 
throughout  the  whole  country.  We  have  heard  the  Indians  also  frequently  say, 
that  they  knew  of  no  other  world  or  people  previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  Nether- 
landers here.  For  these  reasons,  therefore,  and  on  account  of  the  similarity  of 
Climate,  Situation  and  fertility,  this  place  Is  rightly  called  New  Netherland.  It 
Is  situate  along  the  North  Coast  of  America,  in  the  latitude  of  38,  39,  40,  41,  42 
degrees,  or  thereabouts.  It  is  bounded  on  the  North  East  side  by  New  England, 
on  the  South  West  by  Virginia;  the  coast  trends  mostly  South  West  and  North 
East,  and  is  washed  by  the  Ocean;  on  the  North  runs  the  river  of  Canada,  a 
great  way  off  In  the  Interior;  the  North  West  side  is  partly  still  unknown  ". 

Then  an  elaborate  description  is  given  of  the  climate,  the  geography,  the  topog- 
raphy, the  soil,  the  forests,  the  fruits  and  vegetation,  the  animals,  domestic  and 
wild,  the  fowl,  the  fish,  the  reptiles,  medicinal  plants,  the  minerals,  clays,  etc. 
pp.  275-280. 

Then  follows  a  description  of  the  Indians,  their  deliberation  of  speech,  their 
stolidity,  their  art  of  healing  wounds,  their  clothing  of  skins,  their  currency  of 
wampum,  the  painting  of  their  bodies,  their  boats.  Instability  of  the  marriage  rela- 
tion, the  occupations  of  the  men  and  women,  respectively,  their  huts,  etc. 

The  following  Is  given  of  their  religious  ideas,  their  Idea  of  justice,  etc.,  pp. 
281-3. 

"  They  are  divided  into  various  tribes  and  languages.  Each  tribe  usually  dwells 
together,  and  there  Is  one  among  them  who  Is  chief;  but  he  does  not  possess 
much  power  or  distinction,  except  in  their  dances  and  In  time  of  war.  Some  have 
scarcely  any  knowledge  of  God;  others  very  little.  Nevertheless,  they  relate  very 
strange  fables  of  the  Deity.  In  general,  they  have  a  great  dread  of  the  Devil, 
who  gives  them  wonderful  trouble;  some  converse  freely  on  the  subject  and  allow 
themselves  to  be  strangely  Imposed  upon  by  him;  but  their  devils,  they  say  will 
not  have  anything  to  do  with  the  Dutch.  Scarcely  a  word  Is  heard  here  of  any 
ghost  or  such  like.  Offerings  are  sometimes  made  to  them,  but  with  little 
ceremony.  They  believe,  also.  In  an  Immortality  of  the  soul;  have,  likewise,  some 
knowledge  of  the  Sun,  Moon  and  Stars,  many  of  which  they  even  know  how  to 
name;  they  are  passable  judges  of  the  weather.  There  is  scarcely  any  law  or 
justice  among  them,  except  sometimes  In  war  matters,  and  then  very  little.  The 
next  of  kin  Is  the  avenger;  the  youngest  are  the  most  daring,  who  mostly  do  as 
they  like.  Their  weapons  used  to  be  a  war  club  and  the  bow  and  arrow,  which 
they  know  how  to  use  with  wonderful  skill.  Now,  those  residing  near,  or  trading 
considerably  with  the  Christians,  make  use  of  firelocks  and  hatchets,   which  they 

beschreven  in  't  jaer  1644,  of  which  a  translation  is  to  be  found  In  Haz.  State  Pap. 
1.,  517.  He  wrote,  shortly  after,  a  religious  treatise,  entitled  "  Examination  and 
Confession  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  are  Inclined  to  approach  the  Table  of  the 
Lord,"  which  he  transmitted,  by  his  wife,  to  the  Directors  In  Amsterdam,  for  pub- 
lication. It  was  placed  In  the  hands  of  the  Classis  of  that  city  to  be  printed.  Mrs. 
M.  returned  to  her  husband  in  the  Falconer,  in  1650. 


1649 


1649 


256  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

obtain  in  barter.  They  are  excessively  fond  of  guns;  spare  no  expense  on  them, 
and  are  so  expert  with  them  that,  in  this  respect,  they  excell  many  Christians. 
Their  fare,  or  food,  is  poor  and  gross,  for  they  drinl£  water,  having  no  other  beverage; 
they  eat  the  flesh  of  all  sorts  of  game  that  the  country  supplies;  even  badgers, 
dogs,  eagles,  and  similar  trash,  which  Christians  in  no  way  regard;  these  they 
cook  and  use  uncleansed  and  undressed.  Moreover,  all  sorts  of  fish;  likewise, 
snakes,  frogs,  and  such  like,  which  they  usually  cook  with  the  offals  and  entrails. 
They  know,  also,  how  to  preserve  fish  and  meat  for  the  winter  in  order  then  to 
cook  them  with  Indian  meal.  They  make  their  bread,  but  of  very  indifferent 
quality,  of  maize,  which  they  also  cook  whole,  or  broken  in  wooden  mortars.  The 
women  likewise  perform  this  labor  and  make  a  pap  or  porridge,  called  by  some, 
Sapsis,  by  others,  Duundare,  which  is  their  daily  food;  they  mix  this,  also, 
thoroughly  with  little  beans,  of  different  colors,  raised  by  themselves;  this  is 
esteemed  by  them  rather  as  a  dainty,   than  as  a  daily  dish  ". 


The  writer  then  proceeds  to  state  the  real  causes  of  the  Decline  of  New  Nether- 
land,  pages  295-303.  He  anticipated  that  these  reasons  would  irritate  very  many. 
The  government  of  New  Netherland  had  been  very  bad.  It  was  administered 
first  by  the  West  India  Company  in  Holland;  and  secondly  by  their  Director 
Generals  in  this  country. 

The  Plans  proposed  in  Holland  were  wrong.  They  governed  only  for  their  own 
profit,  and  not  for  the  best  interests  of  the  Colony.  Yet  New  Netherland  is 
superior  to,  and  more  convenient  than  New  England.  But  while  the  Directors 
sought  to  seize  large  tracts  of  land,  they  did  not  proceed  to  colonize.  Yet  they 
sought  to  control  all  its  trade.  There  was  much  smuggling.  "  Meanwhile  the 
Christians  were  treated  almost  like  Indians  in  the  purchase  of  necessaries  which 
they  cannot  do  without;  this  causes  great  complaint,  distress  and  poverty  ".  The 
merchants  sell  their  goods  at  a  hundred  per  cent  advance,  and  petty  traders  sttll 
further  advance  the  cost.  Liquors  especially  are  advanced  more  than  two  hundred 
per  cent.  This  drives  the  people  away.  The  Directors  in  this  country  play  the 
absolute  master.  Director  Kieft  boasted  that  he  was  Sovereign.  Stuyvesant  also 
denies  the  right  of  appeal,  applying  to  himself  the  maxim  "  The  Prince  is  above 
the  law  ". 

Illustrations  of  this  Arbitrary  Power  of  the  Directors,  that  an  Opinion  may  be 
formed  of  the  Lion  by  his  Paw.     pp.  299-300. 


"  Casting  our  eye,  then,  over  Director  Kieft's  administration,  we  come  first  to  the 
Church,  and  we  shall  speak,  after  that,  of  the  public  property,  both  ecclesiastical 
and  civil.  But  as  this  man  is  now  dead,  and  some  of  his  proceedings  and  acts  are 
freely  discussed  by  Jochem  Pieterss  Cuyter  and  Cornells  Molyn,  we  shall  dispose  of 
this  point  as  curtly  as  we  possibly  can. 

"  Previous  to  Director  Kieft's  bringing  the  unnecessary  war  upon  the  country,  his 
principal  aim  and  object  were  to  take  good  care  of  himself,  and  to  leave  behind  him 
a  great  name,  but  without  any  expense  either  to  himself  or  the  Company;  for  he 
had  never  yet  done  anything  remarkable  for  the  country  by  which  it  was  improved. 
With  that  view  he  considered  the  erection  of  a  Church  very  necessary,  being  a 
public  work,  the  rather  as  it  was  in  contemplation  at  that  time  to  build  a  place  of 
worship  in  Renselaerswyck.  Bearing  this  in  mind,  he  communicated  his  views  to 
the  church-masters,  of  whom  he  himself  was  one,  who  readily  approved  of  and 
praised  the  project.  The  place  where  it  should  stand  was  then  discussed.  The 
Director  wished,  and  insisted  that  it  should  be  located  in  the  Fort,  where  it  was 
erected  in  spite  of  the  others.  And  truly,  the  location  is  as  suitable  as  a  fifth 
wheel  to  a  coach;  for,  besides  being  small,  the  Fort  lies  on  a  point,  which  would  be 
of  more  importance  in  case  of  population;  the  Church,  which  ought  to  be  owned  by 
the  people  who  defrayed  the  expense  of  its  construction,  intercepts  and  turns  aside 
the  Southeast  wind  from  the  gristmill  which  stands  in  that  vicinity;  and  this  is  also 
one  of  the  causes  why  a  scarcity  of  bread  prevails  frequently  in  summer  for  want  of 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  257 

grinding.  But  this  is  not  the  sole  cause;  for  the  mill  is  neglected,  and  having  been 
leaky  most  of  the  time,  it  has  become  decayed  and  somewhat  rotten,  so  that  it  can- 
not now  work  with  any  more  than  two  arms,  and  has  gone  on  thus  for  all  of  five 
years. 

"  But,  returning  to  the  Church  from  which  the  gristmill  has  for  a  moment  diverted 
us;  the  Director  concluded,  then,  to  have  one  built  and  on  the  spot  which  he  pre- 
ferred. He  lacked  money;  and  where  was  it  to  be  got?  It  happened,  about  this 
time,  that  Everardus  Bogardus,  the  clergyman,  gave  in  marriage  a  daughter,  by  his 
first  wife.  The  Director  thought  this  a  good  time  for  his  purpose,  and  set  to  work 
after  the  fourth  or  fifth  drink;  and  he  himself  setting  a  liberal  example,  let  the  wed- 
ding guests  sign  whatever  they  were  disposed  to  give  towards  the  Church.  Each, 
then,  with  a  light  head,  subscribed  away  at  a  handsome  rate,  one  competing  with 
the  other;  and  although  some  heartily  repented  it  when  their  senses  came  back,  they 
were  obliged,  neverthless,  to  pay;  nothing  could  avail  against  it.  The  Church,  then, 
was  located  in  the  Fort,  in  opposition  to  every  one's  opinion.  The  honor  and  own- 
ership of  that  work  must  be  inferred  from  the  inscription,  which,  in  our  opinion,  is 
somewhat  ambiguous,  and  reads  thus:  Anno,  1642.  Willem  Kieft,  Directeur  Gen- 
erael,  heeft  de  gemeente  desen  temple  doen  bouwen.  (William  Kieft,  Director  Gen- 
eral, has  caused  the  commonalty  to  build  this  temple.)  But  laying  that  aside,  the 
people,  nevertheless,  paid  for  the  Church. 

"  It  is  now  our  time  to  speak  of  the  Church  property,  and  to  do  the  truth  no  vio- 
lence, we  are  not  aware  that  there  ever  has  been  any,  or  that  the  Church  hath  any 
revenue,  except  what  is  given  to  it.  Neither  the  Company  nor  the  Director  ever 
took  the  least  pains  or  trouble  to  obtain  or  provide  any. 

"  The  plate  has  been  a  long  time  passed  around  for  a  common  school  which  has 
been  built  with  words;  for,  as  yet,  the  first  stone  is  not  laid;  some  materials  have 
only  been  provided.  However,  the  money  given  for  the  purpose  hath  all  disap- 
peared and  is  mostly  spent,  so  that  it  falls  somewhat  short;  and  nothing  permanent 
has  as  yet  been  effected  for  this  purpose. 

"  The  Poor,  who,  however,  are  best  provided  for,  have  nothing  except  what  is  col- 
lected in  the  Church,  in  addition  to  a  few  fines  and  voluntary  offerings  from  the 
inhabitants;  but  a  considerable  portion  of  the  money  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Com- 
pany, who  took  it,  from  time  to  time,  and  retained  it.  They  have  long  promised  to 
pay  interest,  but  notwithstanding  all  that  is  done  in  the  matter,  neither  principal  nor 
interest  can  be  obtained  from  them. 

"  There  is,  occasionally,  a  flying  report  of  an  hospital  and  of  asylums  for  orphans 
and  for  old  men,  etc.,  but  as  yet  not  a  sign  of  an  attempt,  order  or  regulation  has 
been  made  about  them.  From  all  these,  then,  it  Is  sufficiently  apparent,  that 
scarcely  any  proper  care  or  diligence  has  been  used  by  the  Company  or  its  officers, 
for  any  ecclesiastical  property;  and,  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  nothing  in  the 
least  has  been  done  from  the  beginning  up  to  the  present  time,  but  on  the  contrary, 
every  care  and  pains  have  been  taken  to  attach  minions  closely,  or  to  make  new 
ones,  as  we  shall  hereafter  show  in  its  own  time,  and  now  proceed  and  see,  what 
have  been  the  public  resources  of  the  government  up  to  the  time  of  our  departure, 
so  that  it  may  be  manifest  what  pains  and  diligence  the  Directors  have  used  and 
exercised  in  this  particular  ". 


1649 


Allusions  are  then  again  made  to  the  many  evils  of  Kieft's  administration,  and 
that  he  had  done  nothing  for  the  people  except  to  build  the  Church;  that  Stuyvesant 
had  done  nothing  yet  for  the  people  except  to  repair  the  Church,  the  Remonstrance 
thus  proceeds: 

"  But  so  it  was;  a  thousand  ways  were  sought  to  shear  the  sheep  before  the  wool 
had  grown.  Thus,  in  regard  to  public  works,  there  is  little  difference  between  Di- 
rector Kieft  and  Director  Stuyvesant;  for  after  the  erection  of  the  Church,  the 
former  became  negligent  and  instituted  personal  actions  against  whomsoever  he  had 
a  prejudice.  The  latter  hath  had  much  better  and  more  opportunities  to  assist  the 
people  than  his  predecessor;  for  he  ha'd  no  war.     He  differs  from  him  also,  being 

IT 


1649 


258  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

more  active  and  malignant  in  looking  up   causes  of  prosecution  against  his  inno- 
cent opponents,  than  ever  his  predecessor  had  been:  "     Page  303. 

After  these  references  to  Kieft's  conduct  in  civil  and  ecclesiastical  matters,  the 
writer  turns  to  the  Council  Chamber.  His  arbitrary  character  is  still  further  ex- 
hibited in  this  respect.  His  persecutions  of  Rev.  Francis  Doughty  are  then  thus 
exhibited:  pages  305-6. 

"  At  this  point  we  are  met  by  one  Franciscus  Douthy,  an  English  clergyman  here, 
and  one  Arnoldus  van  Hardenbergh,  a  free  merchant,  also  of  this  place;  but  as  this 
will  probably  come  before  your  High  Mightinesses  in  full  session.  In  the  cases  in 
which  they  appear,  we  shall  give  merely  a  summary  of  them.  This  clergyman, 
Franciscus  Douthy,  came  to  New  England  at  the  commencement  of  the  troubles  iu 
England,  in  order  to  escape  them,  and  found  that  he  had  got  out  of  the  frying  pan 
into  the  fire.  He  betook  himself,  in  consequence,  under  the  protection  of  the  Netu- 
erlanders,  in  order  that  he  may,  according  to  the  Dutch  reformation,  enjoy  freedom 
of  conscience,  which  he  unexpectedly  missed  in  New  England;  and  the  Director 
granted  and  conveyed  to  him  an  absolute  patent,  with  manorial  privileges.  He  added 
some  families  now  to  his  settlement,  in  the  course  of  one  year;  but  the  war  break- 
ing out,  they  were  all  driven  off  their  lands,  with  the  loss  of  some  people,  and  the 
destruction  of  many  cattle,  of  almost  all  their  houses,  and  whatever  they  had;  they 
returned  a  while  after  that,  and  having  consumed  more  than  they  knew  how  to 
obtain,  they  came  to  the  Manathans,  whither  all  the  refugees  at  that  time  fled,  and 
Master  Douthy  was  minister  there. 

"  After  the  flame  of  war  had  died  away,  and  peace  had  been  concluded,  in  such  a 
manner,  however,  that  no  one  had  much  reliance  on  it,  some  returned  again  to  their 
land.  The  Director  would  fain  see  this  man  go  back  to  his  land,  in  order  that  every- 
thing should  have  the  appearance  of  being  arranged,  but  as  peace  was  doubtful,  and 
Master  Douthy  had  no  means  to  begin  with,  he  was  not  in  a  hurry;  he  went,  how- 
ever, sometime  after,  and  resided  there  half  a  year,  and  he  again  removed,  as  it  was 
seized;  for  in  the  hope  that  some  others  would  establish  a  village  there,  a  suit  was 
instituted  against  the  Minister,  and  carried  so  far,  that  the  land  was  confiscated. 
Master  Douthy  finding  himself  aggrieved,  appealed  from  the  judgment.  The  Direc- 
tor answered,  there  was  no  appeal  from  his  decision  which  must  be  final,  and  in  con- 
sequence of  his  remark,  sentenced  the  Minister  to  be  imprisoned  for  the  space  of 
twenty  four  hours,  and  then  pay  twenty  five  guilders.  We  have  always  considered 
this  act  tyrannical,  and  regarded  it  as  an  instance  of  sovereignty. 


"  In  the  beginning,  also,  when  Director  Kieft  was  still  here,  the  English  Clergy- 
man (Doughty)  requested  permission  to  depart  to  the  Islands  or  to  Netherland,  as 
he  had  lived  and  labored  a  long  while  without  proper  maintenance,  and  as  his 
land  was  now  confiscated;  but  he  always  received  an  unfavorable  answer  and  was 
threatened  with  this  and  that.  Finally,  it  came  to  pass  that  he  may  depart  ou  con- 
dition of  promising  under  his  hand  that,  wherever  he  should  go,  he  would  not  men- 
tion, nor  complain  of  the  manner  he  was  treated  here  in  New  Netherland  by  Direc- 
tor Kieft  or  Stuyvesant.  This  the  man  himself  declares.  Mr.  Dinklagen  and  Com- 
mander Looper,  who  were  then  members  of  the  Council,  also  vouch  for  its  truth. 
If  the  Directors  can  now  justify  it  to  their  own  consciences,  'tis  a  wonder  what 
they  will  then  do  with  such  certificates;  and  many  other  things  of  a  similar  char- 
acter have  occurred,  but  very  secretly." 


IN  WHAT  MANNER  NEW  NETHERLAND  SHOULD  BE  RELIEVED. 

"  Although  we  are  satisfied  and  fully  aware,  that,  as  respects  public  reforms,  we 
are  but  as  children,  and  that  your  High  Mightinesses  are  fully  competent  in  the 
case,  yet  we  beseech  you  to  pardon  and  excuse  us,  if  we,  according  to  our  humble 
conception  thereof,  make  a  few  suggestions  in  addition  to  what  we  have  already 
considered.  In  our  petition  to  your  High  Mightinesses,  to  be  necessary. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  259 

"  In  our  opinion  this  country  will  never  flourish  under  the  Honorable  Company's 
government;  on  the  contrary  'twill  waste  and  decay  in  itself,  unless  the  Company  be, 
In  consequence,  reformed.  It  would,  therefore,  be  better  and  more  advantageous 
for  the  country  and  themselves  were  they  rid  of  it  and  the  remnant  of  their  prop- 
erty transported  hence. 

"  To  speak  specifically:  care  ought  to  be  taken  of  the  public  property,  both  ecclesi- 
astical and  civil,  which  in  the  beginning  can  illy  be  spared  or  dispensed  with.  It  is 
doubtful  but  Divine  Worship  must  be  entirely  intermitted  in  consequence  of  the 
Clergyman's  departure,  (Backerns)  and  the  Company's  inability.  There  ought  to  be 
also  a  Public  school  provided  with  at  least  two  good  teachers,  so  that  the  youth, 
In  so  wild  a  country,  where  there  are  so  many  dissolute  people,  may,  first  of  all,  be 
well  instructed  and  indoctrinated  not  only  in  reading  and  writing,  but  also  in  the 
knowledge  and  fear  of  the  Lord.  Now,  the  school  is  kept  very  irregularly,  by  this 
one  or  that,  according  to  his  fancy,  as  long  as  he  thinks  proper.  There  ought  to  be, 
likewise,  Asylums  for  aged  men,  for  orphans,  and  similar  institutions.  The  clergy- 
man who  now  returns  home,  could  give  fuller  information  on  the  subject.  The  coun- 
try must  also  be  provided  with  moral,  honorable  and  intelligent  rulers  who  are  not 
very  indigent  nor  yet  very  covetous:  A  covetous  ruler  makes  poor  subjects,  and  the 
mode  in  which  the  country  is  now  governed,  is  a  great  aflaiction  and  not  to  be  tol- 
erated; for  no  one  is  unmolested  nor  secure  in  his  property  any  longer  than  the 
Director  pleases,  who  is  generally  very  prone  to  confiscation.  And  though  men 
act  fairly  and  give  him  his  due,  yet  it  is  necessary  still  to  continue  to  please  him, 
if  one  would  have  quietness.  Good  population  should  follow  good  government,  as 
we  have  demonstrated,  according  to  our  ability,  in  our  petition.  And  although  free 
passage  and  the  fitting  out  of  ships,  were  such  requisites,  would,  at  first,  cause  ex- 
pense, yet  when  the  result  is  considered,  such  an  outlay  would  be  immeasurably  well 
employed,  if  farmers  and  laborers  with  other  people  in  straightened  circumstances, 
of  whom  Fatherland  has  plenty  to  spare,  were  by  that  means  introduced  with  what 
little  they  may  have,  into  the  country.  We  hope  it  would  then  prosper,  especially 
had  it,  what  we  consider  to  be  the  mother  of  population,  good  Privileges  and  Ex- 
emptions, which  could  encourage  the  inhabitants;  attract  navigation  and  profitable 
trade,  and  with  pleasantness,  convenience,  salubrity  and  productiveness  of  the  coun- 
try, allure  everyone  hither.  If  a  boundary  were  added  in  the  protection,  to  what 
has  already  been  done,  then  with  God's  help  everything,  would,  in  human  proba- 
bility, go  well,  and  New  Netherland  could  be,  in  a  short  time,  a  brave  place,  able, 
also,  to  be  of  service  to  the  Netherland  State,  to  richly  repay  expended  outlays 
and  to  thank  her  benefactors. 

"  High  and  Mighty  Lords!  We  have  taken  the  liberty  to  write  this  Remonstrance, 
and  to  submit  the  case  as  we  have  done,  through  love  of  the  truth,  and  because  we 
have  felt  bound  to  do  so  by  our  oath  and  conscience.  It  is  true  that  all  of  us,  either 
together  or  individually,  have  not  seen,  heard  or  had  a  knowledge  of  the  entire  con- 
tents in  every  particular;  nevertheless  it  contains  nothing  but  what  some  among  us 
well  know  to  be  true  and  credible.  We  all  know  the  greatest  part  of  it  to  be  truth; 
some  are  acquainted  with  the  remainder  of  it,  and  have  also  heard  it  from  trust- 
worthy persons,  and  sincerely  believe  it  to  be  wholly  true.  We  hope  your  High 
Mightinesses  will  pardon  our  presumption,  and  be  indulgent  to  our  plainness  of 
style,  composition  and  method.  In  conclusion,  we  commit  your  High  Mightinesses' 
persons,  deliberations  and  measures  with  your  people  both  at  home  and  abroad, 
together  with  all  friends  of  New  Netherland,  to  the  merciful  guidance  and  protection 
of  the  Most  High,  whom  we  supplicate  to  grant  prosperity  to  your  High  Mighti- 
nesses in  time  and  eternity.     AMEN. 

Done  this  XXVIII  July,  in  New  Netherland,  1649. 

"  (Signed)  Adriaen  van  der  Donck,  Augustyn  Harman,  Arnoldus  van  Harden- 
bergh,  Jacob  van  Couwenhoven,  Oloff  Stevens,  (beside  whose  name  is  written)  "  un- 
der protest.  Obliged  to  sign  as  to  the  Heer  Kieft's  administration  ".  Michiel  Janss, 
Thomas  Hall,  Elbert  Elberts,  Govert  Lokermans,  Hendrick  Hendrixs  Kip  and  Jan 
Everts  Bout. 

"  (Underneath  stood) 


1649 


1649 


260  Ecclesiastical  Eecoeds 

After  collating  with  the  Original  Remonstrance  dated  and  subscribed  as  above, 
this  Is  found  to  agree  with  It,  at  the  Hague  the  13th  October    1649  by  me. 

(Signed)  D.  V.  Schelluyne,  Not.  Pub. 

1649."—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  I.  271-318. 

This  whole  Remonstrance  was  referred  to  a  Committee.  See  their  Digest,  Jan  27, 
1650. 

The  Petition  accompanying  this  Remonstrance  may  be  seen  In  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  1. 
259--261.  The  eleven  signatures  to  It  were  probably  all  members  of  the  Dutch 
Church.  Among  other  items  mentioned  as  causes  of  the  low  condition  of  the  coun- 
try Is:  "  5th  the  loss  of  the  Princess  ".  She  carried  much  wealth  besides  Director 
Kieft  and  Domine  Bogardus. 


SyN-QD  of  ^OETH  HOLLAIS'D,  AT  EdAM. 

Art.  15.     Plan  for  East  and  Vv^est  India  Affairs. 

1649,  Aug.  9   et  seq. 

Regarding  Art.  19,  (1648),  concerning  tlie  Plan  abont  East 
and  West  India  affairs :  It  was  learned  from  the  Rev.  Corre- 
spondent to  Utrecht,  where  the  proposed  Plan  had  not  yet  been 
accepted,  that  this  matter  had  been  referred  back  to  the  several 
Classes,  to  bring  in  their  resolutions  at  the  ensuing  Synod.  This 
^\dll  be  awaited.  Meantime  our  correspondent  who  shall  attend 
that  Synod,  shall  use  all  diligence  to  move  the  said  Eev.  Synod 
to  the  acceptance  of  the  Plan  mentioned. 

Art.  28.     East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

Concerning  East  and  West  India  affairs:  After  the  question 
was  put  to  the  Classes  what  had  occurred  within  their  respective 
bounds,  the  Rev.  Deputies  (delegates)  from  the  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam handed  over  the  following  extracts  from  letters: 


Article  30. 

Rev.  Backerius,  minister  in  I^ew  I^etherland,  requested,  per 
letter,  to  be  released,  from  his  office  there  by  spring,  and  tliat  an- 
other be  sent  in  his  place;  for  the  congregation  there  consists  of 
one  hundred  and  seventy  members.  Besides  a  capable  school- 
master is  in  the  highest  degree  necessary  there. 


OF  THE  State  of  ^ew  York.  261 

1649 

Article  31. 

Eev.  Megapolensis,  minister  at    Rensselaerwyck,   also    makes 

known  that  he  intends  to  depart  again  for  the  Fatherland  in  the 

spring.     He  requests  that  by  that  time  another  be  sent  in  his 

stead.  ' 

Article  32. 

Extract  from  the  Acts  of  the  Synod  of  Utrecht  held  in  Au- 
gust and  September,  1648. 


Regarding  the  direction  of  the  East  and  West  India  Churches: 
The  advices  of  the  respective  Classes,  to  be  introduced  into  Synod, 
are  awaited. 


Art.  36.     Ecclesiastical  Changes. 

Among  the  Classical  changes  reported  to  Synod  this  year,  ap- 
pears the  following  item:  Classis  of  Alkmaar:  Eev.  John  l!^ieu- 
wenhuysen  of  Wyck-op-zee,  goes  to  Aelsmeer. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.     Rev.  John  Megapolensis. 

1649,  Oct.  25th. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Rev.  John  Megapolensis  in  K'ew  j^eth- 
erland;  and  one  from  Rev.  Bullans  in  Muscovy.  These  wdll  be 
laid  before  Classis.     xx.  227. 

Correspondence  from  America.  Rev.  Peter  Stuyvesant,  elder 
in  the  church  of  ISTew  Amsterdam,  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
August,  1649. 

Reverend,  Yery  Learned  and  Honorable  Gentlemen,  Beloved  and 
Dear  Brethren  in  Christ: 

Yery  Reverend  Fathers: — 

My  last  letter,  written  at  the  request  of  the  joint  Consistory, 
was  dated  on  the  11th  of  Sept.  1648,  about  eleven  months  ago. 


1649 


262  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

The  safe  arrival  of  the  ship  bj  which  it  was  seat,  leads  us  to 
hope,  that  the  letter  was  received  by  you.  In  it  we  exhibited  to 
you  the  condition  of  the  Church  herCj  to  the  best  of  our  knowl- 
edge. We  refer  you  to  that,  that  we  may  not  trouble  you,  in 
your  honorable  and  difficult,  but  God  pleasing  duties,  with  a  twice 
told  tale.  We  can  thus  determine,  especially,  because  upon  his 
own  urgent  request,  our  late  teacher  and  brother  in  Christ, 
Domine  John  Backer,  quicker  in  his  speach  than  with  his  pen, 
is  about  going  over  (to  Holland)  and  will  relate  our  present  con- 
dition. His  departure  would  more  greatly  grieve  us  and  many 
others,  considering  the  necessity  of  divine  service  here,  if  the 
Rev.  Domine  Johannis  Megapolensis,  late  preacher  in  Rens- 
selaer's Colony,  had  not  set  the  honor  of  God,  the  seiwice  of  the 
Church,  and  the  saving  of  human  souls,  above  his  own  very  im- 
portant business,  and  his  reasons  for  removal.  But  he  allowed 
himself  to  be  persuaded  by  our  urgent  requests  and  conclusive 
reasons,  to  take  upon  himself,  for  the  present,  the  Church  ser- 
vice here.  Knowing  the  actual  needs  of  the  Church  and  fearing, 
in  view  of  the  poverty  of  the  Hon.  Company,  that  we  might  not 
easily  obtain  another  able  teacher  from  home,  we  made  use  of  as 
persuasive  arguments  as  possible,  and  inductive  reasons,  taking 
great  trouble  to  keep  him  here.  We  prayed  God,  that  we  might 
succeed,  for  the  honor  of  his  holy  name,  the  advantage  of  his 
Church,  the  increase  of  (Christian)  knowledge  with  salvation,  and 
for  our  mutual  peace  and  harmony.  We  hope  also,  that  he  may 
with  God's  favor,  serve  this  feeble  lukewarm,  and  faint  hearted 
congregation  for  a  long  time.  But  the  contrary  is  to  be  feared, 
imless  the  Rev.  Classis  consent  to  it,  and  also  the  !N^oble  and  Hon. 
Directors  obtain  permission  therefrom,  and  indemnification  from 
his  former  patrons,  the  trustees  of  the  Colony  (of  Rensselaers- 
wyck;)  and  unless  he  can  have  assurance  concerning  his  salary, 
and  provision  be  made  for  sending  over  his  wife  and  cliildren. 
We  have  thought  it  necessary  most  humbly  to  communicate  all 
this  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  that  the  Committee  on  Indian  Affairs 
may  be  authorized  and    ordered  to    promote  all    these  matters. 


OF  THE  State  of  JSTew  York.  263 

1649 

Otherwise  tlie  delay  in  his  Eeverence's  removal  would  incon- 
venience the  congregation  too  much,  and  almost  deprive  them  of 
the  hope  of  ever  being  again  supplied  with  a  minister  of  such 
eloquence,  eminence  and  fitness,  in  teaching  and  life ;  but  all  three 
of  these  virtues  with  many  others  are  very  much  needed  in  the 
church  here. 

Besides  the  foregoing,  we  must  again  trouble  your  Eeverence 
Avith  a  second  request,  which  we  have  heretofore  presented  to  you. 
We  need  a  pious  and  diligent  schoolmaster  and  precentor.  A 
year  has  now  passed  since  we  were  deprived  of  such  help.  By 
this  our  young  people  have  gone  backward,  even  to  grow  wild 
quae  nihil  agendo  male  agere  discit.  In  view^  of  the  fact  that  a 
good  schoolmaster  is  not  less  needed  here,  than  a  good  preacher, 
as  we  have  above  explained  in  detail  to  your  Reverences  and  to 
the  Hon.  Directors,  we  rely  upon  your  usual  excellent  facilities 
and  pious  zeal  for  securing  the  one,  and  a  favorable  decision  in 
the  other.  We  hope,  that  in  a  short  time  we  shall  have  occasion 
to  thank  you  for  both.  In  the  meantime,  we  and  many  others 
pray  God  for  your  well  being,  and  for  your  growth  in  his  holy 
grace.  Herewith  closing,  we  commend  your  Keverences  to  God, 
the  Father,  to  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  communion  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  remaining. 

Very  Reverend  Fathers  and  Beloved  Brethren, 

Your  affectionate  servant, 

P.  Stuvvesant. 
Oct.  1649.  ' 

Rev.  John  Backerus. 

1649,  E'ov.  1st. 

Rev.  John  Backerus  having  come  as  minister  from  New  I^eth- 
erland,  exhibited  his  credentials  to  the  Classis,  and  requested 
therewith  to  be  admitted  here  in  this  country  ad  publicas  con- 
dones, and  to  be  aided  by  the  Classis  in  securing  his  compensa- 
tion from  the  West  India  Company.  His  credentials  being  good, 
his  last  request  was  granted.     As  regards  the  former,  he  was  re- 


1649 


264  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

ferred  to  the    Synod,  in  accordance  with    Synodical  injunction. 
V.  138 ;  xxvi.  52. 

Ministers  at  the  Recife."^ 

1649,  Nov.  9-3(Hh. 

It  was  resolved  to  renew  before  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West 
India  Company  the  request  of  the  ministers  at  the  Recife,  in  re- 
gard to  an  increase  of  their  salaries;  inasmuch  as  all  things  had 
become  dear,  on  account  of  the  long  continued  siege;  and  the 
ordinary  salary  did  no  longer  suffice,     xx.  228. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1649,  Dec.  27th. 

A  letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Megapolensis,  pastor  in  Xew  E^ether- 
land  was  read  in  which  he  states  the  reasons  w^hy  he  remained, 
at  Manhattan,  although  he  intended  to  have  gone  to  the  Father- 
land upon  receiving  his  dismissal.  He  also  requests  that  another 
minister  be  sent  to  Rensselaerswyck  in  his  stead.  The  brethren 
resolved  to  wait  upon  the  Messrs.  Directors  about  this  matter, 
and  to  request  them  to  confirm  the  Rev.  Mr.  Megapolensis  in  his 
charge,  and  to  furnish  his  Reverence  ^\dth  an  honorable  stipend; 
also  to  recommend  to  the  guardian  of  the  Rentselaer  wards,  to 
be  pleased  to  send  another  minister  to  that  colony.  In  addition 
it  was  resolved  to  write  to  Rev.  Mr.  Megapolensis,  and  to  inform 
him  of  our  full  approval  of  his  determination  to  remain,  xx. 
229.    (See  CoL  Hist.  K  Y.  i.  389,  431.) 

The  Classis  to  the  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  written  to  'New  !N'eth- 

erland,  Jan.  10th,  1650.     xxvi.  61. 

Reverend,  Godly,  and  Highly  Learned  Ministerial  Brother,  and 
co-laborer  in  the  Work  of  the  Lord: — 

We  received  your  communication  of  Aug.  18,  1649.  It  was 
all  the  more  pleasant  to  us,  because  it  informed  us,  that  although 

*  This  was  the  lower  part  of  Mauritzstad,  the  capital  of  Dutch  Brazil,     It  was 
built  on  the  reef.    Rev.  J.  T.  Poihemus,  afterward  of  Brooklyn  was  in  Brazil  1636-54. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  265 

1649 

on  Tonr  way  to  the  Fatherland^  you  did  finally  resolve,  at  the 
urgent  request  of  the  General,  the  Council  and  the  People,  on 
the  Manhattan,  to  remain  there  in  the  service  of  the  West  India 
Company:  and  this  you  did,  because  otherwise  all  New  Nether- 
land  would  necessarily  he  deprived  of  the  pure  worship  of  God, 
on  account  of  the  departure  of  Kev.  John  Cornelisson  Backer, 
who  is  yet  without  charge.  This  was  truly  a  sufficient  reason, 
and  justly  influenced  you  to  remain. 

We  commend  your  excellent  zeal  in  this  matter,  and  have  ac- 
cordingly requested  from  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India 
Company  their  approbation  of  your  act,  and  a  fair  remuneration 
for  you.  They  have  acceded  to  both  requests.  They  declare  that 
they  are  willing  to  give  you  such  remuneration  as  they  have  been 
accustomed  to  give  their  pastors. 

The  bearer  of  this,  William  Vestensz  of  TIaerlem,  goes  as  Com- 
forter of  the  Sick,  and  schoolmaster,  at  the  request  of  the  Hon. 
Director  Stuyvesant,  and  the  church  of  Manhattan,  and  with  the 
approval  of  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company.  The 
said  Hon.  Directors  also  mentioned  two  others,  so  as  to  secure  one 
of  them,  but  they  have  not  appeared,  and  we  do  not  know  their 
residence,  else  we  might  have  corresponded  with  them.  William 
Vestensz  is  an  excellent  God  fearing  man.  We  trust  that  he  may 
be  acceptable,  and  do  good  service. 

It  is  further  proper  for  you  to  know  that  we  have  conferred 
with  the  guardians  of  the  Eenselaer  children,  and  have  requested 
that  they  would  be  pleased  to  send  another  pastor  in  your  place 
to  the  Eenselaer  colony.  We  have  also  published  that  the  whole 
church  there  earnestly  desires  this.  The  guardians  say  that  they 
were  satisfied  with  your  services.  They  wished  that  you  had  come 
hither,  as  they  would  have  been  inclined  to  make  a  new  contract 
with  you,  that  you  might  have  returned  thither  and  continued  your 
services  there.  But  inasmuch  as  it  pleased  you  to  remain  in  the 
service  of  the  West  India  Company  at  Manhattan,  they  are  in- 
clined to  send  over  another  suitable  person.  They  must  now,  first 
ascertain,  however,  where  the  salary  for  a  pastor  is  to  come  from, 


266  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1649 

and  to  that  end  they  have  written  to  their  agent  there.  Mean- 
while we  shall  not  neglect  to  urge  them  to  send  a  suitable  person 
to  the  Renselaer  colonies  by  the  first  opportunity. 

In  closing  we  send  you  our  friendly  greetings.  Please  con- 
vey such  greetings  also  to  the  Hon.  Director  Stuyvesant.  We 
commend  you  to  God's  gracious  protection,  while  we  remain, 

Your  affectionate  Fellow-brethren,  the  Committee  on  East  and 
West  Indian  Church  Affairs.  In  behalf  of  the  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam, 

Done  at  Eleazar  Swalminus,  Pres.  of  the  Assembly. 

Amsterdam  Eredericus  Kesslerus,  Sec.  of  the  Deputies. 

Jan.  10,  1650. 

Eepoet  of  Committee  oi^  the  Remonstrance.     Digest  and 
1650  Extract,  Relating  to  the  Church. 

Digest  of  Excesses  and  Neglect  of  'New  jSTetherland  under  the 
West  India  Company.  Exhibited,  January  27th,  1650,  to  the 
meeting  of  the  Deputies  of  their  High  Mightinesses,  and  given  to 
the  Directors.     (1642-50.) 

Of  the  Church;  Ecclesiastical  Property  and  Benevolent  Institutions. 

12.  Contrary  to  the  advice  of  the  Churchmasters  and  the  sound  opinion  of  others, 
the  Church  was  located  in  the  Fort,  which  is  exceedingly  small;  so  that  the  Church 
occupies  almost  one  fourth  part  of  it;  moreover  shutting  off  the  southeast  wind  from 
the  Mill;  Director  Kieft's  will  and  pleasure  herein  must  be  obeyed. 

13.  The  Church  was  built  by  a  collection  among  the  People,  and  the  Directors  will 
have  it  the  property  of  the  Company. 

14.  No  care  or  attention  has  hitherto  been  paid  to  secure  or  obtain  Ecclesiastical 
property,  or  to  select  anything  for  the  purpose. 

15.  A  plate  has  long  been  going  around  for  a  School,  but  the  money  has  been  di- 
verted; some  few  materials  have  been  bought  for  it,  but  the  first  stone  is  yet  to  be 
laid. 

16.  The  poor's  money  is  mostly  in  the  hands  of  the  Company,  who  have  paid 
neither  principal  nor  interest. 

17.  There  was  indeed  a  flying  report  about  an  orphan-house,  hospital  and  asylum 
for  the  aged,  but  it  amounted  to  nothing. 

18.  The  Directors  have  made  no  effort  to  convert  to  Christianity  either  the  Indians, 
or  the  Blacks  or  Slaves,  owned  by  the  Company  there. 


21.  The  unjust  proceedings  of  the  Directors  against  Francis  Douthey  the  Minister, 
who,  because  he  appealed  from  Kieft's  unrighteous  sentence,  was  put  in  prison  and 
obliged  to  pay  a  fine  of  twenty  five  guilders  before  he  could  be  set  at  liberty. 


34.  Francis  Douthey,  an  English  Clergyman,  was  subjected  to  an  utterly  unjust 
condition  before  he  was  allowed  to  depart  —  never  to  mention  how  illegally  he  had 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  267 

been  treated  in  New  Netherland;  and  because  he  would  not  execute  an  obligation 
to  that  effect,  he  would  not  be  permitted  to  leave. 

Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  335.     See  also  pp.  299,  300,  305-6;  311. 


1650 


Answer  of  the  West  India  Company  to  the  Remonstrance  from  New  Netherland, 
made  to  the  States  General;  January  31st,  1650. 

12.  The  Church  was  erected,  for  satisfactory  reasons,  in  the  fort. 

13.  It  cost  much  more  than  eight  thousand  guilders  whereof  it  cannot  be  proved 
that  the  people  paid  eight  hundred;  the  collection  taken  up  by  subscription,  hath 
realized  the  least. 

14.  We  request  that  they  declare  what  they  understand  by  ecclesiastical  property. 

15.  The  Director  hath  not  the  administration  of  the  money  that  was  taken  up  on 
the  plate;  but  Jacob  Couwenhoven,  who  is  one  of  the  petitioners,  hath  kept  account 
of  it  in  his  quality  of  Churchmasters. 

16.  'Tis  acknowledged  that  the  Company  is  indebted  to  the  Deaconry,  nine  or  ten 
hundred  guilders,  according  to  the  tenor  of  the  obligation  thereof  drawn  up  in  New 
Netherland  Anno  1649.     The  first  interest  thereupon  will  fall  due  Anno  1650. 

17.  The  Company's  circumstances  admitted  of  the  building  neither  of  an  hospital 
nor  orphan  asylum,  which  are  not  very  necessary  there  as  yet. 

18.  Every  one  conversant  with  the  Indians  in,  and  around  New  Netherland,  will  be 

able  to  say,  that  it  is  morally  impossible  to  convert  the  adults  to  the  Christian  faith. 

Besides,  'tis  a  Minister's  business  to  apply  himself  to  that,  and  the  Director's  duty 

to  assist  him  therein. 

Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  340. 


21.  Respecting  this  Article,  we  refer  to  the  sentence. 


34.  (Rev.)  Francis  Douthey  being  indebted  to  the  Company  about  eleven  hundred 
guilders,  petitioned,  in  New  Netherland,  for  permission  to  depart.  The  Director  and 
Council  are  willing  to  allow  him  to  do  so,  but  think  they  ought  first  of  all  be  paid; 
his  incapacity  so  to  do,  was  the  reason  why  he  was  not  allowed  to  depart,  and  it 
must  be  proved  that  the  Director  required  from  him  any  obligation  under  his  hand. 
--  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  1.  341. 

FuRTHEE  Extracts  from  the  Reply  to  the  Report  of  Com- 
mittee ON  THE  Remonstrance. 

1650. 

The  Director  never  had  anything  to  do  with  the  property  of  the  church.  A 
subscription  was  entered  into  in  Kieft's  time  to  aid  in  the  erection  of  that  build- 
ing, which,  however,  was  not  paid.  "  The  Company  paid  the  workmen."  The 
consistory  was  satisfied  at  the  time  that  it  should  be  located  in  the  fort;  but 
these  people  considered  the  Company's  fort  not  worthy  the  honor  of  a  church. 
It  is  true  the  new  schoolhouse  had  not  been  built,  but  this  was  not  the  fault  of 
the  Director,  who  is  busy  collecting  materials,  but  of  the  churchmasters,  who  had 
charge  of  the  funds  which  the  commonalty  subscribed.  In  the  meanwhile,  a  place 
for  the  school  had  been  provided  and  held.  Other  teachers  keep  school  in  hired 
houses,  so  that  the  youth  are  furnished  with  the  means  of  education,  according 
to  the  circumstances  of  the  country.  'Tis  true  there  is  no  Latin  school  nor 
academy;  those  of  the  commonalty  who  require  such,  can  look  to  it  and  supply 
the  funds.  The  deacons  are  accountable  for  what  concerns  the  poor.  They  can 
tell  where  the  money  is  gone,  and  who  have  had  it  from  time  to  time  on  interest. 
The  Director  never  administered  these  funds.  Director  Kieft  borrowed  all  the 
small  fines  and  penalties  imposed  by  the  court,  and  placed  in  the  poor's  box. 
"  He  opened  the  box  with  the  consent  of  the  deacons,  and  took  the  contents  " 
on  interest.     The  sum  was  of  small  amount. 


1660 


268  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

It  Is  true  that  there  are  no  duties  either  on  exports  or  Imports  in  the  latter 
plantations,  but  the  property  of  each  inhabitant  is  assessed,  and  he  is  obliged  to 
pay  according  to  his  means.  In  this  Tvay  he  is  taxed  to  build  and  support 
churches  and  schools;  to  maintain  preachers  and  schoolmasters;  to  erect  public 
buildings  in  cities  and  villages;  to  construct  and  repair  all  highways  and  bridges; 


1650. 

What  more  frivolous  request  could  be  made  than  that  the  Company  should  quit 
the  country.  At  its  own  charge  that  body  has  conveyed  people  and  cattle  thither, 
erecting  forts,  and  assisted  many  poor  emigrants  from  Holland  with  provisions 
and  clothing.  And  now  that  some  have  "  a  little  more  than  they  can  consume  in 
a  day,"  they  ungratefully  wish  to  be  relieved  from  the  authority  of  their  bene- 
factors, even  without  paying  them,  if  they  could.  They  further  demand  that  pro- 
vision be  made  for  the  support  of  religion  and  the  diffusion  of  education,  and  for 
the  erection  of  asylums  and  hospitals.  If  they  be  such  friends  to  religion,  educa- 
tion and  charity  as  they  pretend,  let  them  be  leaders  in  a  subscription  to  such 
laudable  undertakings,  and  not  complain  as  they  did  when  asked  to  contribute  for 
the  church  and  school-house.  "  Had  the  Director  demanded  a  collection  for  an 
orphan  asylum  and  hospital,  what  an  outcry  would  not  have  been  raised."  The 
vacancy  created  by  the  departure  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Backerus  is  filled  "  by  a  learned 
and  holy  minister,  who  needs  no  interpreter  when  defending  the  Reformed  religion 
against  the  preachers  of  our  neighbors,   the  English  Brownists." 


Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  tlie  Deputies. 

1650,  Jan.  31st. 

The  Eev.  President  Swalmiiis,  and  the  clerk,  reported  in  ref- 
erence to  their  commission  that  they  recommended  to  the  Messrs. 
Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  William  Yestens  of  Haer- 
lem,  for  schoolmaster  and  Visitor  of  the  Sick  in  'New  ISTetherland, 
and  that  he  has  been  accepted  by  the  above  named  gentlemen, 
and  will  be  sent  at  the  earliest  opportunity. 

Moreover  they  report  that  Rev.  i\Ir.  Megapolensis  had  taken 
leave  of  EensselaersTwck,  and  has  entered  the  service  of  the  Com- 
pany  in  Xew  JSTetherland,  (Xew  Amsterdam)  at  the  request  of  the 
General  and  of  the  congregation  there;  that  he  desires  the  Di- 
rectors to  give  him  their  approval,  and  that  they  should  promise 
to  provide  him  with  an  honorable  salary. 

Further,  that  they  (the  Deputies)  had  reiterated  the  petition 
of  the  ministers  in  regard  to  an  increase  of  their  salaries,  and  that 
the  Directors  had  agreed  to  give  the  same  in  charge  of  a  commit- 
tee; that  this  committee  would  proceed  in  a  few  days  to  the  Hague 


OF  THE  State  of  IsTew  York.  269 

to  deliberate  on  the  matter  witli  the  other  committees  from,  the 
respective  chambers,  seeing  it  was  a  petition  of  a  general  nature. 
Pinally,  (they  report),  that  they  had  conferred  with  the  guard- 
ians of  the  Rensselaer  wards,  and  that  they  had  requested  them 
to  be  kind  enough  to  send  another  minister  in  place  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Megapolensis,  to  Rensselaerswyck.  They  had  indeed  manifested 
a  willingness  to  do  this,  but  as  they  could  not  very  well  supply 
the  means  of  support,  they  would  first  \\Tite  to  JSTew  Xetherland. 
XX.  230. 

DiKECTOES    IN    HOLLAI^D    TO    StUYVESANT  :    ReV. 

Megapolensis     Schoolmaster     Sent     Out:     Remonstrance 
from  ^ew  l^etherland  i 


1650 


The  recommendation  of  the  Rev.  Domine  Megapolensis  has  in  so  far  been  at- 
tended by  us,  that  we  have  paid  to  his  wife  six  hundred  florins  as  six  months 
salary:  as  to  how  she  has  been  treated  by  the  heirs  of  van  Renselaer  on  account 
of  his  services  in  their  district,  and  which  he  will  learn  from  his  wife,  we  prefer 
to  say  nothing  about  it. 

At  your  request  we  have  engaged  a  schoolmaster,  who  is  to  serve  also  as  com- 
forter of  the  sick.  He  is  considered  as  an  honest  and  pious  man  and  will  come 
over  by  the  first  chance. 


Your  apprehensions  concerning  Domine  Backerus,  the  preacher,  have,  as  you 
expected,  been  verified.  He  has  made  common  cause  with  the  complainants,  come 
from  your  parts,  silly  people  —  at  least  the  majority  of  them  —  who  have  been 
badly  misled  by  a  few  seditious  persons,  like  Cornelius  Melyn,  Adrian  van  der 
Donck  and  some  others.  These  men  seem  to  ieave  nothing  untried,  to  upset  every 
kind  of  government,  pretending  that  they  suffered  under  too  heavy  a  yoke. 
Wouter  van  Twiller  confirms  them  in  this  opinion  and  aims  at  the  command  of  the 
whole  North  River:  he  admits  publicly,  that  he  does  not  intend  to  allow  any  one 
to  navigate  the  river  for  the  purpose  of  trade,  and  says,  he  will  resist  any  one 
■coming  there  or  to  Rensselaerswyck;  maintaining  besides,  that  Fort  Orang*  is  built 
upon  the  soil  of  Rensselaerswyck  and  that  therefore  the  Company  has  no  right 
to  let  houses  be  built  or  private  parties  trade  there.  He  forgets,  that  this  fort 
was  erected  fifteen  years  before  Rensselaerswyck  was  ever  mentioned,  that  it  has 
been  always  garrisoned  by  the  Company's  men,  and  that  a  trading  house  has 
been  kept  there  for  the  account  of  the  Company  until  the  year  1644.  The  trade  in 
peltries  was  exclusively  reserved  until  then  for  the  Company  and  it  should  remain 
so,  were  the  Company  in  the  condition  to  keep  their  storehouses  well  provided 
with  the  right  goods:  we  hope  that  in  good  time  we  shall  find  means,  to  exclude 
from  this  trade  all  these  impertinent  fellows;  we  are  justified  in  using  our  right, 
which  this  ungrateful  customer,  who,  so  to  say,  has  sucked  his  welfare  from  the 
breasts  of  the  Company,  now  tries  to  abuse.  The  traders  generally  have  already 
■complained  to  us  and  ask  in  the  enclosed  document  to  be  maintained  in  their 
trade.— Col.  Docs.   N.  Y.  xlv.  117,  119,  120. 

February  16,   16.50. 


1650 


270  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1650,   March   4. 
Information  respecting  New  Netherland. 

After  describing  the  land,  and  speaking  of  the  proper  cattle  for  the  locality, 
and  the  different  classes  of  artizans  needed,  with  farmers,  etc.  (Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
i.  356-371.)  we  find  the  following: 

"  A  clergyman,  comforter  of  the  sick,  or  precentor,  who  could  also  act  as 
schoolmaster  ".—  Col.   Docs.  N.  Y.   i.  370. 

Report  of  the  Committee  of  the  States  General  on  the  Affairs  of  New  Netherland. 

*^  *  '  1650. 

Provisional  Order  respecting  the  Government,  Preservation  and  Peopling  of  New 
Netherland: 

After  lengthy  conferences  with  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  a 
Report  was  adopted. —  See  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  387-391: 


In  reference  to   Religion 


e' 


New  Netherland  being  at  present  provided  with  only  one  clergyman,  orders  shall 
be  given  forthwith  for  the  immediate  calling  and  support  of  at  least  three  preach- 
ers; one  to  attend  to  Divine  Service  at  Renselaer's  Colonic;  the  second  in  and 
about  the  city  of  New  Amsterdam,  and  the  third  in  the  distant  places;  and  the 
Commonalty  shall  be  also  obliged  to  have  the  youth  instructed  by  good  school- 
masters.— Col.   Docs.   N.  Y.   i.   389. 

The  Amsterdam  Chamber  made  several  "  observations  "  on  the  said  report.  In 
reference  to  Religion: 

1650,    April,   11: 

6.  Those  of  the  Colonic  of  Rensselaers-Wyck  must  pay  their  own  clergyman, 
and  are  busy  inquiring  for  a  person.  New  Amsterdam  is  provided,  and  none  is 
yet  required  in  the  out-lying  places.     [See  May  24,  1650.]  —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  392. 


Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  David  Roderen;  Casp.  Carpentier. 

1650,  March  Ttli. 

The  Consistory  of  Amsterdam  represented  that  they  had  heard 
Rev.  David  Roderen,  formerly  a  candidate  of  the  Classis,  and 
now  dwelling  at  Amsterdam;  and  Rev.  Casparns  de  Carpentier, 
at  present,  minister  at  Amersfoort,  as  ministers  (candidates)  for 
the  service  of  their  congregation.  They  had  also  received  the 
approval  of  their  noble  magistrates,  and  now  they  requested  that 
the  Classis  would  also  approve  the  same.  So  be  it.  The  Classis 
having  given  heed  unto  this  request,  do  also,  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  approve  the  election  and  calls  of  these  two  individuals,  and 
wish  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  upon  the  church  of  Amsterdam, 
unto  the  consummation  of  the  same.    v.  143. 


OF  THE  State  of  ITew  York.  271 

1650 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

Eev.  Megapolensis. 

1650,  Mar.  Ttli. 

The  Eev.  Deputies  reported  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  that 
Hev.  Megapolensis,  at  the  urgent  request  of  the  Director  and  peo- 
ple of  E'ew  ^N'etherland,  has  bound  himself  anew  to  the  service 
of  the  Company,  and  requested  the  approval  of  his  course  and  a 
proper  salary.  Both  requests  have  been  granted  by  the  Com- 
pany. 

They  further  reported  that  William  Vestens,  a  schoolmaster 
from  Haerlem,  has  been  sent  thither;  also  that  they  have  con- 
ferred with  the  guardians  of  the  Eenselaer  children,  and  have 
requested  them  to  send  another  pastor  to  Rensselaerswyck  in  place 
of  Megapolensis.  They  were  inclined  to  do  this,  but  they  said 
that  they  must  first  write,  and  receive  an  answer  thence, 
xxvi.  63. 

Rev.  John  Backerus. 

1650,  April  4th. 

Rev.  John  Backerus,  late  pastor  in  Curacoa,  and  in  'New  N^eth- 
erland,  informs  us  that  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer  has  charged  him 
to  present  his  certificate  of  dismissal  from  the  churches  he  has 
served.  He  requests  therefore  from  this  Classis  a  certificate  that 
he  has  returned  from  those  regions  in  accordance  with  the  con- 
sent, and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people.  He  desires  also  a 
testimonial  as  to  the  result  of  his  examination  before  this  Classis. 

The  Classis  grants  both  these  requests,  and  orders  the  secre- 
tary to  give  him  a  proper  testimonial.  This  was  done.  (See  Col. 
Docs.  K  Y.  i.  431.)    xxvi.  64. 

Rev.  William  Grasmeer. 

The  Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  represent,  that  Rev.  William 
Grasmeer,  pastor  at  Grafdyck  in  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer,  being 
under  Classical  censure,  has  deserted  his  post,  without  the  knowl- 


1650 


272  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

edge  of  the  Classis,  and  is  intending  to  journey  to  iSTew  jSTether- 
land. 

They  therefore  inquire,  whether  the  Patroons  of  Eensselaers- 
A^^'ck,  present  in  this  city,  and  also  the  church  of  Manhatan  in 
]^ew  Xetherland  ought  not  to  be  warned  against  him  in  that  he 
will  arrive  there  without  an  ecclesiastical  certificate?  Otherwise 
they  may  put  too  great  confidence  in  him,  and  cause  offence  and 
disquietude  in  the  church  there. 

It  is  deemed  proper  to  do  this,  in  the  name  of  the  Classis, 
through  the  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas.     xxvi.  64. 

1650,  April  4th. 

The  Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  represent,  that  William  Gras- 
meer,  a  minister  in  the  Classis  of  Alkmaer,  at  Grafdyck,  being 
under  censure  of  Classis,  has  left  his  charge  without  the  knowl- 
edge of  Classis,  with  the  intention  of  journeying  in  Xew  Aether- 
land.  They  ask  in  reference  to  this  matter,  whether  the  Patroons 
of  Rensselaer's  wyck,  w^ho  are  here  in  town,  and  the  church  in 
'Nev7  Aetherland,  (at  Rensselaer's  wyck)  ought  not  to  be  warned 
against  him,  since  he  will  arrive  there  without  any  ecclesiastical 
endorsement.  Thus  they  will  not  put  too  much  confidence  in  him, 
lest  he  cause  some  offence  or  disturbance  in  the  church  there.  It 
was  judged  to  be  proper  thus  to  do.  This  will  be  done  in  the 
name  of  the  Classis  by  the  Deputies  ad  res  Indicas.     v.  151. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Rev.  Consistorv  of  the  Reformed 
Church  at  Manhattan,  in  N'ew  K'etherland,  regarding  Rev. 
William  Grasmeer.     xxvi.  64. 

Reverend,  Godly,  Highly  Learned,  Provident,  Most  Discreet,  and 
Beloved  Pellow-Brethren  in  the  Lord: — 

Whereas  we  understand  that  Rev.  William  Grasmeer,  pastor  at 
Grafdyck,  being  under  censure  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alckmaer, 
has  left  his  church,  and  is  said  to  be  determined  to  depart  to  'New 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  273 

!N^etlierland,  witbout,  however,  being  first  reconciled  to  liis  wife, 
and  the  aforementioned  Classis,  and  also  goes  thither  without  our 
permission: — We  therefore  deem  it  necessary  to  acquaint  your 
Rev.  Body  with  these  things,  and  to  v/arn  you  that  you  do  not 
allow  him  to  ofiiciate  in  any  of  the  duties  of  the  ministerial  office, 
if  perchance  he  should  so  desire,  until  he  shall  have  rendered  satis- 
faction to  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer,  and  be  lawfully  called  to  such 
service.  A  contrary  course  would  be  in  violation  of  the  order  of 
the  Synod,  and  cause  great  offence  here. 

We  trust  that  you  will  not  show  yourselves  recalcitrant  in  this 
matter.  We  remain,  Eeverend  and  Much  Beloved  Fellow-Breth- 
ren^ 

Your  Beverences'  devoted  to  command.  In  the  name  of  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  the  Committee  on  Ecclesiastical  Af- 
fairs in  the  East  and  West  Indies. 

Eleazar  Swalminus. 
Eredericus  Kesslenis, 
Given  in  our  Sec.  of  the  Deputies. 

Classical  Meeting,  Johannes   Bulitius,    Co-deputatus. 

April  4,  1650.  Philips  Metzu,  Elder. 

The  Grasmeer  Case,  1650,  April  11th.  Rev.  Erederick  Kes- 
lerus  in  the  Chair. 

A  certain  communication  from  this  meeting,  written  by  the  or- 
der of  the  Classis,  to  the  consistory  of  Manhattan  in  'New  .ISTeth- 
erland,  was  read.  Therein  they  are  warned  not  to  permit  Rev. 
William  Grasmeer,  pastor  at  Grafdyck,  which  belongs  to  the 
Classis  of  Alckmaer,  to  preach  or  to  administer  any  church  ordi- 
nance. He  is  intending  to  go  there;  but  he  is  under  censure  of 
said  Classis,  having  left  his  congregation  without  their  knowledge. 

The  Rev.  President  informed  the  meeting  that  on  April  7,  two 

Deputies  of  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer,  viz.     Rev.  Mr.  Knyf  and 

Rev.  Mr.  Mensevoet,  had  had  an  interview  mth  him  and  Rev.  Mr. 

Rultius,  and  had  explained  to  them  what  had  been  done  in  their 

Classis,  in  reference  to  the  above  mentioned  William  Grasmeer; 

18 


1650 


1650 


274  Ecclesiastical  Records 

he  has  been  suspended  from  the  performance  of  ministerial  func- 
tions by  their  Classis,  in  confirmation  whereof,  they  furnished  a 
copy  of  said  action  from  their  Classical  record;  that  he  had  also 
left  his  congregation  Avithout  the  knowledge  of  the  Classis,  or 
without  giving  any  satisfaction  to  the  same.  They  therefore  re- 
quested in  the  name  of  their  Classis,  as  well  as  in  the  name  of  our 
own,  that  timely  warning  be  given  to  the  consistory  at  Manhattan, 
not  to  permit  said  Grasmeer  to  preach  or  perform  any  church 
ordinance  until  he  be  reconciled  to  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer,  and 
shall  have  given  satisfaction  to  the  same. 

The  Brethren  Deputies  from  Alckmaer  were  also  informed  that 
our  Classis  had  alreadv  taken  action  in  this  case,  and  our  letter 
to  the  consistorv  at  Manhattan,  was  read  to  their  Reverences. 
The  said  Deputies  were  satisfied  therewith,  and  thanked  our  Classis 
for  their  vigilance,     xx.  234. 

1650,  April  16th. 

Copy  of  the  resolution  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alckmaer,  concern- 
ing Rev.  William  Grasmeer.     xxvi.  65. 

Rev.  William  Grasmeer: — You  are  hereby  cited  to  appear  im- 
mediately upon  receipt  hereof,  before  our  Classical  Assembly,  to 
give  reasons  for  the  abandonment  of  your  church,  to  the  end  that 
all  action  in  the  matter  henceforth,  may  tend  to  God's  glory  and 
the  best  welfare  of  this  Church.  In  default  of  your  appearance, 
the  Classis  will  treat  you  as  a  deserter  who  abandons  his  chiu'ch 
in  violation  of  proper  order. 

It  is  also  understood  that  you  have  lightly  presumed  to  preach 
at  Koedyck,  or  elsewhere.  This  is  emphatically  forbidden  you 
until  you  have  made  satisfaction  to  the  Classis. 

Expecting  that  obedience  which  you  ow^e  to  the  Classis,  be  com- 
mended to  God. 

In  the  name,  and  by  order  of  all, 

« 

Nicholas  Rensius, 
April  16,  1650.  Sec.  protem  of  Classis. 


'  OF  THE  State  of  IsTew  York.  275 

Grasmeer's  Answer.     XXVI.  65. 

This  being  immediately  received,  he  responded:  'No  one  can 
prove  that  I  have  abandoned  my  church.  I  can  prove  the  con- 
trary by  the  testimony  of  the  church;  but  that  I  have  separated 
from  them  is  known  to  all  unprejudiced  parties. 

And  what  should  I  do  before  you?  Already  you  show,  by 
forbidding  me  to  preach,  what  you  mean  to  do,  did  I  come.  There- 
fore I  propose  not  to  appear  before  you. 

Do  and  act  in  such  a  way  that  you  may  be  able  to  vindicate 
yourselves  before  God  and  unprejudiced  parties.     Farewell. 

William  Grasmeer,  Pastor. 

Rev.  Casp.  de  Oarpentier. 

1650,  April  19th. 

Rev.  Casparus  Oarpentier,*  who  has  been  called  and  installed 
as  a  minister  in  the  Church  of  Amsterdam,  having  shown,  proper 
and  excellent  certificates  as  to  doctrine  and  life,  both  from  the 
Classis,  and  from  the  church  of  Amersfoort,  was  also  welcomed, 
congratulated  and  accepted  as  a  member  of  our  Classis.    v.  152. 

Directors  to  Stuyvesant  :  Result  of  the  REMOisrsTRANCB 
[of  July  28,  1649]  from  ]^ew  E"ether-land  :  Rev.  Mega- 
poLENsis'  Tract  on  Confession:  Schoolmaster 

1  1650,    April    20th. 

Honorable,  Worthy,  Pious,  Faithful. 

Our  last  letters  were  of  the  16th  of  February  and  24th  of  March;  In  the  former 
we  told  you,  how  the  Deputies,  who  had  come  here  from  New  Netherland,  by  all 
imaginable  means,  many  of  which  were  to  work  indirectly,  had  known  to  give 
to  their  propositions  such  an  appearance,  that  a  number  of  mature  minds  have 
been  deceived.     Their  undertaking  then,  assuming  a  look  of  danger  for  your  repu- 

i 

*  Casparus  de  Carpentier  was  called  from  the  church  of  Amersfoort  to  be  one 
of  the  collegiate  ministers  of  the  church  of  Amsterdam  on  April  17th  1650,  being 
the  48th  minister  called  to  that  church.  He  died  on  May  12,  1667.  He  wa« 
probably  the  father  of  Rev.  Casparus  Carpentier,  mentioned  in  a  letter  of  Mega- 
polensis  and  Drisius,  Aug.  5,  1657,  who  settled  at  New  Amstel,  Del.  He  is  again 
referred  to  in  a  letter  of  Oct.  10,  1688.  This  Carpentier  was  a  brother-in-law  of 
Jean  Paul  Jacques,  Commandant  at  Fort  Casimir  Delaware.  See  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y. 
iii.  69-72,  4to  ed.;  Murphy's  Anthology,  108j  Spottswood's  Historical  Sermon,  New- 
Castle,  Del.  1859.  Dr.  Spottswood  says:  "  In  1684  there  died  in  this  town  a 
French  clergyman.     It  is  presumed  he  was  one  of  the  exiled  Huguenots." 


1650 


1660 


276  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

tation,  the  interest  of  the  Company  and  especially  this  Department  of  Amsterdam, 
we  were  compelled  to  communicate  with  the  Magistrates  of  this  city,  who  have 
in  so  far  countenanced  our  complaints,  that  they  showed  themselves  inclined,  to 
uphold  our  privileges.  Very  likely  a  great  explosion  would  have  been  the  result, 
if  it  had  not  been  prevented  by  the  careful  management  of  the  honorable  Deputies 
from  their  High:  Might:,  who  have  discovered  means,  by  which  they  expect  to 
satisfy  provisionally  either  side.  A  copy  of  their  resolves  goes  herewith;  you 
may  judge  by  It,  how  much  trouble  we  have  had  and  how  dangerous  it  Is  to 
draw  upon  yourself  the  wrath  of  a  growing  community.  We  must  suppose,  that 
you  have  trusted  too  much  to  some  of  these  ringleaders  or  become  too  intimate 
with  them:  now,  that  their  ingratitude  and  treachery  have  come  to  light,  you  must 
still  act  with  the  cunning  of  a  fox  and  treat  them  in  regard  to  the  past  conform- 
ably with  the  abovementioned  resolutions,  to  prevent  that  a  new  mistake  may  not 
make  matters  worse,  than  the  first  one  did,  and  that  we  may  not  be  troubled  any 
more  by  such  contemptuous  bickerings;  the  more  so,  as  the  Company  is  already 
sufficiently  embarrassed. 


The  wife  of  Domine  Megapolensis  will  tell  you  herself,  what  satisfaction  we 
have  given  her  at  your  request:  We  shall  consult  with  the  deputed  brethren  of  the 
Reverend  Classis  in  regard  to  the  printing  of  the  Domine's  manuscript  on  Con- 
fession*  and   inform  you   of  their  opinion. 

The  Schoolmaster, t  for  whom  you  asked,  goes  out  with  this  ship:  God  grant, 
that  he  may  confirm  the  good  character,  which  he  has  borne  here,  and  continue 
for  a  long  time  in  the  edification  of  the  youths. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv.  122,  123. 


Freedoms  an'd  Exempton^s  Gkat^ted  by  the  West  I^stdia  Com- 
pany TO  All  Going  to  ]^ew  I^etherland  :  So  Far  as  Re- 
lates TO  Education,  Religion,  etc.     [See  IMarch  4,  1650.] 

ia50.  May  24. 

"  The  Patroons  and  Colonists  shall  also  particularly  endeavor  to  devise,  in  the 
speediest  manner,  some  means  among  themselves,  whereby  they  will  be  able  to 
support  a  clergyman  and  schoolmaster,  that  the  service  of  God  and  zeal  for 
religion  may  not  grow  cool  among  them,  and  they  shall  provide  at  first  for  a 
Comforter  of  the  Sick  there  ". 

"  The  Company  reserves  for  itself  all  great  and  small  tithes,  all  waifs  and 
est  rays,   the  right  of  establishing   mints,    highways  and  forts,    declaring   war   and 

making  peace,  all  wildernesses,  planting  cities,  towns,  and  churches,  etc 

saving  whatever  is  heretofore  granted  to  the  patroons,  in  the  matter  of  high, 
middle,   and  low  jurisdiction  ". —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.   i.  405, 

Van  Rensselaer  Papers.     Proceedings  of  the  Court  at 

Rensselaerswyck,  Page  61. 

Extract  from  a  certain  dociimeiit: 

The  son-in-law  of  Megapolensis  is  also  coming  over,  who  has 
been  a  preacher  here  and  has  been  forbidden  to  preach  by  the 

*  The  full  title  of  this  work  was  "  Examination  and  Confession  for  the  benefit  of 
those,  who  are  inclined  to  approach  the  Lord's  Table." 

t  Willem  Verstius,  [Vestensz.,]  who  taught  school  in  New  Amsterdam  till  1655, 
when  he  resigned  to  return  to  Holland. 


OF  THE  State  of  ITew  York.  27Y 

1650 

Classis  of  Alckmaer.     If  lie  should  try  to  perform  some  cliurcli 

service  in  the  Colony  or  to  obtain  any  engagement  there,  then 

charge  Director  Stichtenhorst  not  to  engage  him  nor  tolerate  him 

in  the  Colony.     We  shall  write  to  him  ourselves,  about  it,  if  the 

time  will  allow.     As  we  have  been  requested  to  do  so  by  the 

Deputies  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  we  order  the  Director  and 

Council   of  our  Colony  to  obey  this   direction  implicitly.      His 

name  is  William  Grasmeer.     The  letter  was  signed;  Wouter  van 

Twiller,   and  addressed  to   Gerrit   Vasterick   (a  member  of  the 

Council  of  the  Colony),  w^ho  read  it  to  us,  when  I  wrote  it  down, 

August  4,  1650.  A.  de  Hooges,  Secretary. 

Synod  of  ]^orth  Holland,  1650,  at  Alckmaer. 

I  1650,  Aug.  6  et  seq. 

Art.  1.     E-ev.  John  Backerus. 

Rev.  John  Backerus  being  present,  made  the  following  state- 
m.ent:  That  as  a  minister  in -the  West  Indies,  by  order  of  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam  he  had  now  for  a  long  time  served  the 
church  of  l^ew  Motherland;  and  that  having  now  again  returned 
to  the  Fatherland  by  order  of  the  same  Classis,  he  requested  that 
the  Rev.  Synod  would  hold  him  as  "  recommended,"  so  that  he 
may  be  promoted  to  the  service  of  the  Church  in  vacant  places. 
To  this  end  he  handed  over  various  certificates,  which  were  found 
to  be  very  praiseworthy.  It  was  also  heard  in  addition  that  the 
Rev.  delegates  from  Amsterdam  had  been  directed  to  recom- 
mend the  said  Rev.  Backeiiis  to  the  Rev.  Synod.  The  said 
request  was  therefore  granted;  except  that  being  a  layman  (laicus) 
he  shall  let  his  gifts  be  heard  before  this  Assembly  to-morrow 
at  eight  o'clock.  This  was  accordingly  done  the  next  day,  and 
the  Rev.  Assembly  was  content  with  his  gifts. 

Art.  18.     Plan  for  the  East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

Regarding  Art.  15,  (1649)  treating  of  the  Plan  for  the  East 
and  West  India  Affairs:     It  was  learned  from  the  report  of  the 


L650 


278  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Rev.  Correspondent  from  Utrecht,  that  the  said  Synod  has  con- 
formed to  the  resolution  of  the  Synod  of  South  Holland,  held  at 
Delft  in  the  year  1648. 

Art.  30.     East  and  West  India  Affairs. 

Regarding  Art.  28,  (1649),  of  the  East  and  West  India  Affair: 
After  the  question  was  put  to  the  Classes  what  had  occurred 
among  them  —  the  Rev.  Deputies  from  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam handed  in  the  following  extracts  from  the  Indian  letters: 

(Here  follows  thirteen  pages  referring  exclusively  to  churches 
in  the  East  Indies  and  Brazil.) 

Erom  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam:  sent  to  the  East  Indies: 


Sent  to  l^ew  E'etherland:'^  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  of  Rens- 
selaerswyck  in  the  Manhatans,  William  Vestersse  (Yestens)  of 
Harlem,  for  siekentrooster  and  school-master.  Come  from  West 
India;  Rev.  John  Backerus. 

.Stuyvesant's  Refusal  to  Reform  the  Government. 

1640. 

A  reform  in  the  government  of  New  Netherland  was  proposed  in  Holland  on 
account  of  a  Remonstrance  sent  over  from  New  Netherland,  in  July,  1649.  The 
"  Nine  Men  ",  who  had  been  elected  to  be  Advisers  of  the  Governor  and  Council 
now  urged  Stuyvesant  to  proclaim  the  new  Provisional  Order,  but  he  refused 
for  certain  reasons,  and  at  the  same  time  shipped  provisions  to  Curacoa,  although 
the  supply  was  scanty  in  New  Netherland.  The  "  Nine  "  protested.  Stuyvesant 
then  deprived  them  of  the  special  pew  in  the  Church,  which  the  Consistory  had 
appropriated  to  their  use. —  Brodhead's  N.  Y.  i.  517,  518;  compare  506,  507,  512, 
and  474,  488-9,  etc. 

The  following  are  the  official  extracts.  Extract  of  the  Journal 
kept  by  order  of  the  Commonalty  to  which  they  refer  in  letter 
to  us. 

4  July,  1650. 

Friends  report  and  complain  that  they  have  not  only  not  been  recognized  by 
'the  Director  and  Council  during  the  absence  of  the  delegates,  but  that  contumely 
and  reproaches  have  been  cast  on  them  by  the  Director,   from  whom  they   were 

♦This  should  read:     Changes  in  New   Netherland;  Megapolensis,    of  Rensselaer- 
wyck,  to  Manhatans,  etc. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  2Y9 

obliged  also  to  listen  to  divers  calumnies,  insults  and  contumelious  words;  they 
also  complain  that  the  Director  was  pleased  on  the  3rd  of  April  last,  with  a  view 
to  insult  and  affront  the  Select  men,  to  cause  the  benches  in  their  pew  in  the 
Church  to  be  torn  up,  and  to  take  possession  of  it  himself. 

About  this  time  the  Fiscal  received  a  settlement  of  his  share  of  the  confisca- 
tions, and  being  referred  therewith  to  the  Directors,  he  showed  it  to  the  Com- 
monalty and  reported  also  abroad,  among  others  to  Oloff  Stevense  and  Schelluyne, 
that  the  Director  swallows  everything;  that. he  will  prove  him  a  perjured  villain 
and  that  he  hath  robbed  the  Company  of  fully  one  hundred  thousand  guilders. — 
Col.   Docs.  N.   Y.   i.  446-7. 

Copy  of  an  extract  from  the  Kegister  of  the  Tesolutions  of  the 
Select  men  of  JSTew  Amsterdam,  Manhattans,  the  29th  August 
1650. 

Honorable  Gentlemen. —  Whereas  the  High  and  Mighty  Lords  States  General  of 
the  United  Netherlands,  by  letters  delivered  to  the  Director  General  hath  caused 
the  benches  in  the  Select  men's  pew  in  the  Church,  which  was  conferred  on  us 
by  his  honor  and  the  churchwardens,  to  be  torn  up,  and  took  possession  thereof 
himself,  to  the  derogation,  derision  and  contumely  of  our  Board;  which,  though  it 
concerns  not  us  individually,  but  regards  the  Board,  who  represent  the  people, 
therefore,  are  we  necessitated  under  protest,  to  declare  such  derogation  and  af- 
fronts unjustifiable  and  unauthorized.  Done  at  the  meeting  of  the  Select  men,  in 
New  Amsterdam,   Manhattans,  New  Netherland,   the  29th  August,   1650. 

(Signed)    Olof    Stevensse. 

Beneath   was,  ' 

By  order  of  the  Select  men  in  New  Amsterdam. 

(Signed)   D.  van  Schelluyne.—  Col.  Docs,   N.  Y.  i.  448-9. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Request  of  Rev.  J.  Backerus. 

1650,  Aug.  8th. 

J.  Backerus,  lately  minister  on  Curacoa  and  Manhattan,  (Man- 
hatans,)  in  a  letter,  thanks  the  Rev.  Classis  for  the  favorable  cer- 
tificates granted  him.  He  requests  that  the  Rev.  Assembly  will 
charge  their  delegates,  who  shall  go  to  the  next  Synod,  to  give 
favorable  testimonials  concerning  him.     The  Assembly  answers 

fiat.     V.  132. 

Schoolmaster  at  Fort  Orange. 

1650. 

The  local  authorities  were  now  earnestly  besought  to  provide  the  inhabitants 
with  a  proper  schoolmaster.  "  Perceiving  how  necessary  such  a  person  was  to 
the  establishment  of  a  well  constituted  republic,"  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
build  a  school  house  and  to  collect  funds  for  defraying  whatever  expenses  might 
be  incurred.  Andries  Jansz.  was  appointed  Sept.  9,  to  take  charge  of  this  institu- 
tion in  the  course  of  the  following  year,  and  received  a  present,  on  entering  on 
the  discharge  of  his  duties,  of  twenty  dollars. —  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New 
Netherland,  Vol.  ii.  101,  lO'J. 


1650 


1650 


280  Ecclesiastical  Eecoeds 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

(Walraven;  Backerus.) 

1650,  Sept.  12th. 

Extract  from  a  letter  from  the  Island  of  Ciiracoa  written  by 
the  siecken-tropster,  John  Walraven,  v/hile  at  Fort  Amsterdam, 
July  8th,  1649. 

1.  He  makes  kno^vn  that  at  the  request  of  the  minister,  the 
E-ev.  John  Backerus,  and  also  of  the  G-overnor,  on  account  of  the 
departure  of  the  said  minister,  (Backerus),  he  had  been  forced 
to  remain  there,  that  the  place  might  not  remain  altogether  with- 
out Christian  services.  But  this  tended  evidently  to  his  injury. 
For  in  accordance  with  his  instructions,  received  from  us,  he  had 
been  ordered  to  I^ew  ]^etherland  in  order  to  exercise  there,  at 
the  same  time  the  profession  of  schoolmaster.  This  would  have 
been  to  his  evident  profit. 

2.  Since  Eev.  Backerus  left,  many  children  of  Christians  have 
remained  unbaptized,  both  of  the  Indians  and  of  the  x^etherland- 
ers.  These  were  being  taught  by  him,  and  by  the  school-master, 
John  Galiaert,  in  the  Christian  Eeligion.  The  parents  were  very 
uneasy  about  their  children  remaining  without  baptism,  and  they 
longed  greatly  for  a  minister. 

3.  Four  months  ago  there  arrived  there  a  French  minister 
of  the  name  of  Charles  de  Eochefort,  who  had  been  settled  for 
five  years  in  the  Cortaeren.  Having  been  requested  so  to  do, 
he  administered  Holy  Baptism  to  several  persons,  both  infants 
and  adults.  The  said  minister  had  sent  over  a  certified  state- 
ment of  these  acts  written  in  Latin,  in  the  letter  of  the  said 
siecken-trooster.  He  declared  therein  that  upon  the  insistent 
urging  of  the  Hon.  Governor,  Lucas  Eotenburg,  he  had  baptized 
on  February  14,  1649,  fifteen  children,  Indians  and  Dutch. 
Again,  on  February  20th  of  the  same  year,  twelve  adult  persons, 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  281 

1650 

all  blacks  or  negroes,  after  they  had  been  reasonably  well 
instructed  in  the  Christian  doctrine,  and  who  had  good  testimony 
as  to  their  knowledge  and  life.  All  of  these  received  Holy  Bap- 
tism in  the  Assembly  of  the  Believers,  called  together  especially 
for  that  purpose,  in  the  manner  customary  in  our  church.  The 
names  of  all  these  children,  as  well  as  of  the  adults  are  given; 
and  also  those  of  their  parents. 

4.  He  further  says,  that  in  the  year  1648  there  was  such  a 
pestilential  sickness  there,  that  almost  the  entire  garrison  was 
exterminated;  also  most  of  the  brethren-in-religion;  so  that  not 
more  than  six  or  seven  remained,  besides  some  Englishmen;  as 
for  the  rest,  the  most  of  them  were  Lutherans. 

5.  He  complains  that  poverty  is  constantly  suffered  there;  and 
inasmuch  as  the  time  of  his  engagement  will  expire  a  year  from 
now,  he  requests  to  be  released  from  that  place. —  xx.  249,  250. 

Drawn  up  by  the  Eev.  Classis,  and  approved  by  the  Admiralty 

College,   at  Amsterdam,   on  'Noy.   28,   1650.     [See   June   7, 

1636.] 
Porm  of  acceptance  and  instruction  for  Siecken-Troosters  and 

Voorlesers  (Comforters  of  the  Sick  and  Eeaders),  on  Ships  of 

"War. 

Whereas  for  the  advancement  of  God's  glory  and  the  salvation 
of  men,  it  is  proper  and  necessary  that  the  Ships  of  War  should 
be  provided  with  capable  and  pious  Siecken-Troosters:  and  inas- 
much as  IsT.  ]Sr has  offered  his  services  in  such  capacity: 

Therefore,  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  after  previous  information, 
and  upon  the  testimony  of  others,  has  inquired  into  the  fitness 
of  the  said  person,  and  f  oimd  this  to  be  such,  that  they  have  in 
the  fear  of  the  Lord,  adjudged  him  qualified  to  perform  the  said 
duties:  Whereupon  he  has  been  accepted  for  the  said  office,  by 
the  Estimable  and  Mighty  Messrs.  of  the  College  of  the  Admiralty. 
And  in  order  that  he  may  be  known  in  such  capacity  by  every  one 


1650 


282  Ecclesiastical  Records 

whom  it  concerns,  and  that  he  may  know  how  he  is  to  conduct 
himself  in  this  his  office,  this  Letter  of  Instruction  is  given  unto 
him,  and  in  compliance  therewith  he  is  ordered  to  maintain  the 
following  points  in  all  particulars. 

1.  He  is  to  teach,  admonish  and  comfort,  out  of  God's  Word, 
the  sick  and  the  ill,  each  one  as  circumstances  may  require  and 
as  opportunity  permits. 

2.  On  occasion,  or  on  so-called  occasion,  he  is  to  read  certain 
chapters  from  Grod's  Word,  or  he  may  read  some  good  sermons 
from  Treadels  Bullundi  Bethillie;  or  John  Bulens  Catechismus 
Ursini;  or  any  discussion  instituted  by  some  minister  of  the  true 
Christian  Reformed  Church;  and  to  comment  on  the  same  briefly 
to  the  people;  and  to  begin  and  end  all  such  exercise  with  prayer. 

3.  Every  morning  and  evening  to  lead  and  serve  the  people, 
regularly  assembled,  with  prayers. 

4.  To  instruct  diligently  in  private,  and  at  every  good  oppor- 
tunity, out  of  the  Word  of  God,  the  minds  of  those  ignorant  in 
the  faith;  to  exhort  sinners  to  repentance,  and  abandonment  of 
sins,  and  to  cease  only  with  proper  representations  of  God's  fear- 
ful judgments,  warning  them  faithfully  of  their  danger  of  per- 
dition. He  is  especially  in  all  possible  and  proper  ways,  to 
oppose  cursing  and  swearing,  and  the  light  use  of  the  precious 
name  of  the  Lord,  as  well  as  indecent  and  obscene  words;  also  to 
comfort  and  strengthen  the  little  ones  in  the  faith,  or  the  dis- 
couraged ones,  as  circumstances  may  require. 

And  even  as  the  said  iN".  IST.  in  compliance  with  these  instruc- 
tions, is  ordered  to  conduct  himself  in  this  his  office,  without 
ever  arrogating  to  himself,  under  any  pretext  whatever,  anything 
beyond  the  same,  and  which  properly  belongs  to  the  office  of  a 
minister:  and  as  he  on  his  part  has  voluntarily  promised  to  regu- 
late himself  thereby,  and  to  go  before  young  and  old  with  pious 
and  honorable  lessons,  and  thus  to  walk  worthily  in  this  his 
calling  and  office:     Therefore  are  these  open  letters  of  Instruc- 


OF  THE  State  of  'Nbw  York.  283 

1650 

tion  given  him  upon  his  intended  voyage,   to   strengthen  him 

therewith  wherever  it  may  be  necessary. 

Thus  done  at  Amsterdam  on 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. —  xxxix. 

15,  16. 

1650,  :^ov.  28th. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer,  about  Eev.   William  Grasmeer. 

Art.  46. 

Upon  the  reading  of  this  46th  article,  the  Rev.  Deputati  ad 
res  Indicas  represent,  that  Rev.  William  Grasmeer,  formerly 
pastor  at  Grafdyck,  has  been  on  account  of  his  evil  and  offensive 
life,  excommunicated  by  the  Classis  of  x^lckmaer.  This  act  has 
also  been  approved  by  the  Rev.  Synod  of  !N"orth  Holland,  lately 
in  session  at  Alckmaer.  ^N^evertheless  he  went  to  New  Nether- 
land,  and  became  pastor  at  Rensselaerswyck,  where  the  pastorship 
was  vacant,  notwithstanding  the  earnest  warning  concerning  him, 
given  to  the  Directors  and  the  church  of  said  colony,  by  the 
Patroons,  through  the  Classis.  He  accomplished  his  object  by 
means  of  two  certificates.  The  one  was  given  him  by  his  elders 
and  deacons  at  Grafdyck,  in  which  the  proceedings  against  him 
by  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer  are  basely  railed  at,  and  he,  on  the 
other  hand,  most  highly  lauded;  the  other  was  granted  him  at 
his  departure  by  Rev.  John  Knyf,  pastor  at  Alckmaer.  A  copy 
of  this  was  sent  to  the  Patroon  of  said  colony  from  Rensselaers- 
wjcky  and  delivered  to  the  aforementioned  Deputies,  and  has 
been  read  before  this  Assembly. 

The  brethren  of  the  Classis  are  amazed  at  the  aforesaid  cer- 
tificates, and  grieved  that  so  offensive  a  person  should,  in  such 
a  manner,  and  so  hastily,  be  inducted  into  the  Holy  Service  of 
the  church.  It  is  thought  proper,  therefore,  to  announce  at  the 
earliest  moment,  to  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer,  what  we  have  heard 
concerning  the  said  Grasmeer,  and  to  transmit  with  it  a  copy  of 
said  certificates.     At  the  same  time  we  request  that  the  Rev, 


1650 


284  Ecclesiastical  Eecoeds 

Classis  of  Alckmaer  will  communicate  to  us  as  soon  as  possible 
their  opinion,  with  a  definite  statement  of  this  whole  matter,  viz., 
especially  how  said  Grasmeer  had  conducted  himself  in  his  church; 
how  he  has  treated  his  wife;  and  what  is  the  exact  cause  of  the 
excommunication,  which  has  taken  place ;  —  to  the  end  that  we, 
being  thus  armed  with  more  power,  may  labor  to  prevent  so  offen- 
sive a  person  from  entering  the  Holy  Service  of  the  Church, 
xxvi.  93. 

Extracts  Relating  to  the   Chuech,   feom   Secretary  Vait 

TiEN"HovEN"'s  Answer  to  the  Remonstrance  of  July  28, 

1649,  FROM  'Nbw  jSTetherland.      [See  also  Jan.  27,  1650,  and 

Apr.  20,  1650.] 

1650,  IsoY.  29. 


The  Directors  have  never  had  any  administration  of,  nor  concerned  themselves 
with  ecclesiastical  property;  'tis  also  denied  and  cannot  be  proved,  that  any  of  the 
inhabitants  of  New  Netherland  have,  either  voluntarily  nor  when  requested,  con- 
tributed or  given  anything  for  the  building  of  an  Asylum  for  oi-phans,  or  for  the 
aged,  'Tis  true  that  the  Church  in  the  fort  was  built  in  Willem  Kieft's  time,  and  a 
subscription  list  was  signed  which  amounted  to  fl.  1800.  The  accounts  of  most  of 
the  subscribers  were  debited  accordingly,  but  they  have  not  yet  paid  the  money. 
Meanwhile  the  Company  disbursed  the  funds,  so  that  it  was  not  the  Commonalty 
(some  few  excepted)  but  the  Company  that  paid  the  workmen.  If  the  people  re- 
quired institutions  as  above  stated,  they  must  contribute  towards  them  as  is  the 
custom  in  this  country;  and  were  there  Asylums  for  orphans  and  the  aged  there, 
revenues  would  be  necessary,  not  only  to  keep  the  houses  in  repair,  but  to  support 
the  orphans  and  the  aged  people. 

The  Remonstrants  will,  if  any  one  can,  be  likely  to  prove  that  money,  or  real  or 
personal  property  has  been  bestowed  by  will  or  donation,  by  any  living  person,  for 
such  or  any  other  public  works;  but  there  is  no  instance  of  the  kind  in  New  Nether- 
land; and  the  charge  is  uttered  or  written  through  passion.  When  the  Church, 
which  is  in  the  fort,  was  proposed  to  be  built,  the  Church-Masters  were  content; 
but  it  is  these  people  who  make  a  to-do,  because  they  consider  the  Company's  fort 
not  worthy  the  honor  of  a  Church.  Before  the  Church  was  erected,  the  grist-mill 
could  not  work  with  a  southeast  wind,  because  the  wind  from  that  quarter  was  shut 
off  by  the  walls  of  the  fort. 

Although  the  new  School-house,  towards  which  the  Commonalty  contributed  some- 
thing, has  not  been  yet  built,  it  is  not  the  Director,  but  the  Church-Masters,  who 
have  charge  of  the  funds.  The  Director  is  busy  providing  materials.  Meanwhile 
a  place  has  been  selected  for  a  school,  of  which  Jan  Cornelissen  has  charge.  The 
other  teachers  keep  school  in  hired  houses,  so  that  the  youth  are  not  in  want  of 
schools  to  the  extent  of  the  circumstances  of  the  country.  'Tis  true  there  is  no 
Latin  school  nor  academy;  if  the  Commonalty  require  such,  they  can  apply  for  it 
and  furnish  the  necessary  funds. 

As  regards  the  deacons'  or  Poor-fund,  the  deacons  are  accountable  for  that,  and 
are  the  persons  of  whom  inquiry  should  be  made  as  to  where  the  money  is  invested 
which  they  have,  from  time  to  time  placed  at  interest;  and  as  the  Director  never 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  285 

had  charge  of  it,  such  uot  being  usual,  the  deacons,  and  not  the  Directors,  are  re- 
sponsible for  it.  'Tis,  indeed,  true  that  Director  Kieft,  being  at  a  loss  for  money, 
had  a  box  suspended  in  his  house;  of  that  box  the  deacons  had  one  key,  and  all  the 
small  fines  and  penalties  which  were  levied  on  court  days,  were  deposited  In  it. 
He  opened  it  with  the  knowledge  of  the  deacons,  and  took,  on  interest,  the  money, 
which  amounted  to  a  handsome  sum.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  423-4.  See  also  Dunshee, 
21. 


1650 


No  other  internal  taxes  have  been  imposed,  up  to  the  present  time,  on  the  Com- 
monalty, except  the  excise  already  mentioned,  unless  the  voluntary  offering  which 
was  applied  two  years  ago  to  the  erection  of  the  Church,  be  accounted  a  tax,  of 
which  Jacob  Couwenhoven,  also  one  of  the  Church-Masters,  will  have  to  render  an 
account. 

In  New  England  there  is  no  impost  or  duty  on  Imports  or  Exports,  but  every  one 
Is  assessed  by  the  local  Government  according  to  his  means,  and  must  pay  to  the 
extent  of  his  property  and  as  the  magistrates  tax  him,  for 

Building  and  repairing  of  Churches; 

Support  of  Ministers; 

Erection  of  Schools  and  Salary  of  Teachers; 


The  question  Is,  are  the  Company  or  the  Directors  obliged  to  have  constructed 
any  buildings  for  the  people  out  of  the  duties  paid  by  the  trader  in  New  Netherland 
on  export  goods,  particularly  as  their  High  Mightinesses  granted  those  duties  to  the 
Company  to  facilitate  garrisons,  and  the  payment  of  expenses  attendant  thereupoa, 
and  not  for  building  Hospitals  and  Orphan  Asylums,  Churches  and  School-houses  for 
the  people. 


Francis  Douthay,  Adriaen  van  der  Donck's  father-in-law  and  an  English  Minister, 
was  granted  a  colonic  at  Mespacht,  not  for  himself  alone  as  Patroon,  but  for  him 
and  his  associates  whose  Agent  he  was,  and  who  at  the  time  were  residing  at 
Rhode  Island  and  at  Cahanock  and  other  places.  Mr.  Smith  was  one  of  the  leaders 
of  these  people,  for  said  Minister  had  scarcely  any  means  of  himself  to  build  a  hut, 
let  alone  to  plant  a  colonic  at  his  own  expense.  He  was  merely  to  be  employed  as 
a  clergyman  by  his  associates  who  were  to  prepare  a  bouwerie  for  him  in  that  colo- 
nic, in  return  for  which  he  should  discharge  the  duty  of  preacher  among  them,  and 
live  on  the  proceeds  of  the  bouwerie. 

Coming  to  live  at  the  Manhatans  during  the  war,  he  was  permitted  to  officiate  as 
Minister  for  the  English  in  and  around  that  place,  who  were  bound  to  maintain  him 
without  either  the  Director  or  Company  being  liable  to  any  charge  therefor.  And  as 
the  English  did  not  afford  him  a  sufficient  support,  two  collections  were  taken  up 
among  the  Dutch  and  English,  on  which  he  lived  at  the  Manhatiins. 

The  Mespacht  Colonie  was  never  confiscated;  that  is  proved  by  the  actual  resi- 
dence on  it  of  the  owners,  who  had  an  interest  in  it  as  well  as  Douthey;  but  as  the 
latter  wished  to  obstruct  its  settlement  and  to  permit  no  one  to  build  in  the  colonie 
unless  on  paying  him  a  certain  sum  down  for  each  morgen  of  land,  and  a  yearly 
gum  in  addition  in  the  nature  of  ground  rent,  and  endeavored  thus  to  convert  it  Into 
a  domain,  against  which  those  interested  in  the  Colonie,  especially  Mr.  Smith  com- 
plained, the  Director  and  Council  finally  concluded  that  the  copartners  should  enter 
on  their  property,  and  the  bouwerie  and  lands  in  the  possession  of  Douthay  be  re- 
served to  him,  so  that  he  hath  suffered  no  injury  or  loss  thereby.  This  I  could 
prove,  were  it  not  that  the  documents  are  in  New  Netherland  and  not  here. 


Francis  Douthay,*  the  English  Minister,  hath  never  been  employed  by  the  Com- 
pany, wherefore  it  owes  him  nothing;  but  his  English  congregation  is  bound  to  pay 

*  Rev.  Francis  Doughty  emigrated  to  Massachusetts  in  1637.     He  was  driven  from 
that  state  because  of  his  practice  of  infant  baptism.     He  found  refuge  with  the 


1650 


286  Ecclesiastical  Records 

him,  as  can  be  proved  in  New  Netherland.  Ttie  Company  has  advanced  to  the  said 
Minister  from  time  to  time,  in  goods  and  necessaries,  to  the  amount  of  about  fl.  1100., 
as  the  colonial  account  books  might  shovp;  this  he  has  not  yet  paid,  and  he  com- 
plains because  he  is  unwilling  to  pay.  I  Ijuow  not  whether  the  Director  hath  re- 
quired a  promise  from  Douthay. 


On  the  2nd  point  they  say:  that  provision  ought  to  be  made  for  ecclesiastical  and 
municipal  property,  divine  service,  and  for  an  asylum  for  orphans  and  aged  people. 
If  they  are  such  patriots  as  they  appear  to  be,  let  them  be  leaders  in  generous  con- 
tributions for  such  laudable  objects,  and  not  complain  when  the  Directors  requested 
a  collection  towards  the  erection  of  a  Church  and  School.  What  complaints  would 
there  be,  were  the  Director  to  demand  a  collection  for  an  asylum  for  aged  people 
and  orphans.  Divine  service  will  not  be  interrupted,  by  the  absence  of  Domine 
Johannes  Backerus,  who,  however,  has  been  there  only  twenty  seven  months.  The 
place  is  again  supplied  with  a  learned  and  godly  clergyman,  who  requires  no  Inter- 
preter when  defending  the  Reformed  Religion  against  any  minister  of  our  neighbors, 
the  English  Brownists.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  424-431. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

1651-1660. 

William  Grasmeer. 
1651  1651,  Jan.  2nd. 

There  was  also  read  a  communication  from  the  Eev.  Classis  of 
Alkmaer,  regarding  the  case  of  William  Grasmeer.  Therein  said 
Classis  informs  us  that  she  abides,  as  yet,  by  the  censure  and 
deposition  (deportment)  of  the  aforesaid  Grasmeer;  and  declares 
that  the  certificate  of  the  Consistory  of  Grafdyck  was  secured  by 
sinister-  means,  and  the  said  Consistory  has  been  compelled  to 
make  confession  of  guilt  for  the  granting  thereof.  And  as 
regards  the  certificate  by  Rev.  Knierus,  such  was  obtained  by  a 
trick,  and  under  promise  that  proper  satisfaction  would  be  given 
to  Classis;  but  Grasmeer  did  previously  deceive  Rev.  Knierus, 
as  he  says,  in  this  matter.  The  brethren  of  Classis  enjoin  Rev. 
Deputies  ad  res  Indicas  again  to  warn  the  Patroons  and  the 
church  of  Rensselaer's  wyck  against  this  reprehensible  person, 
and  to  communicate  the  entire  circumstances  of  his  deposition, 
(deportment),  and  all  that  has  occurred  thus  far  in  connection 

Dutch  and  was  the  first  Presbyterian  minister  that  preached  in  the  City  of  New 
York,  This  he  did  from  1643-48.  He  was  driven  further  south  and  found  refuge  in 
Maryland.  No  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  in  New  York  until  1717.  Before 
the  latter  date,  however,  companies  of  pious  Presbyterians  were  settling  in  the  city 
and  vicinity,  and  would  assemble  as  opportunity  permitted  for  religious  worship. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  287 

1651 

therewith;  at  the  same  time  they  must  address  an  admonition  to 
Grasmeer  himself,  to  abandon  so  unlawful  a  course,  and  to  give 
proper  satisfaction  (confession  or  reparation?)  to  the  Kev.  Synod 
(Classis?)  of  Alkmaer,  and  to  the  Synod  (of  North  Holland.) 
And  inasmuch  as  the  Patroons  of  the  said  Wyck  (village),  might 
be  perhaps  inclined  to  send  an  honest,  lawful  minister  to  ISTew 
]^etherland,  (Eensselaer's  wyck,)  who  could  counteract  the  influ- 
ence of  the  said  Grasmeer  in  a  proper  and  decent  fashion;  there- 
fore the  Rev.  Deputies  are  particularly  charged  to  put  forth  all 
possible  endeavors  to  that  end. 

It  was  also  resolved  to  write  to  the  Classis  of  Alkmaer  against 
their  summer  meeting,  and  inform  them  that  our  Classis  is  dis- 
pleased with  the  action  of  Rev.  Knierus,  in  that  having  been 
himself  appointed  with  another  minister,  to  warn  us  against 
Grasmeer,  he  made  no  mention  of  having  given  any  certificate. 

V.  198;  xxvi.  96. 

1651,  Jan.  20th. 

Rev.  "Wm.  Grasmere;  Rev.  Jacobus  Beth. —  Catechism  composed 

by  Rev.  Megapolensis,  Jr. 

Further  the  Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  report: — 

1.  Whereas  the  Classis  has  charged  them  to  exclude  William 
Grasmeer  from  Rensselaerswyck,  by  sending  over  a  godly  min- 
ister, they  have  found  such  a  one  in  the  person  of  Rev.  Jacobus 
Beth,  who  has  heretofore  made  request  to  be  sent  as  pastor  to  the 
East  Indies: 

2.  That  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  would 
be  glad  to  see  the  catechism  composed  by  Megapolensis,  Jr., 
approved  by  the  Rev.  Classis,  that  it  may  be  printed  and  sent  to 
Brazil. 

Answer;  The  Assembly  has  no  objection  to  the  first;  but  as 
concerns  the  said  catechism,  the  Assembly  judges  that  it  would 
be  more  edifying  to  send  thither  instead  a  goodly  number  of  the 
ISTetherland  catechisms,  and  the  Compendium s  of  the  same, 
xxvi.  97. 


1651 


288  Ecclesiastical  Records 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Rev.  William  Grasmeer  in  the  Col- 
ony of  Rensselaerswjck,  Feb.   20th,  1651.     xxvi.   97-99. 

Worthy  Brother,  William  Grasmeer: — 

With  great  grief  we  have  learned  that  you  presented  yourself 
for  admission  to  the  Holy  Service  of  the  church  in  the  Colony 
of  RensselaerswTck.  You  also  so  far  succeeded,  that  on  the 
strenorth  of  certain  solicited  and  extorted  certificates,  vou  found 
enough  favor  mtli  the  church,  to  be  accepted  as  their  pastor. 
You  did  not,  however,  pay  proper  attention  to  the  communications 
despatched  to  you,  not  only  by  the  Classis,  but  by  the  Patroon 
of  said  colony,  to  warn  you  against  this  step.  We  anticipated 
such  irregi^ilarity  at  your  departure,  and  then  admonished  you 
that  you  should  not  depart  and  desert  your  office,  without  proper 
satisfaction  to  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer. 

On  this  occasion,  indeed,  your  offence  is  the  greater;  for  while 
you  were  still  under  the  censure  of  the  said  Classis,  and  being  yet 
unreconciled  with  your  wife,  (from  whom  you  have  been  now 
long  separated,  living  even  in  a  separate  house),  you  have  dared 
to  officiate  in  the  Holy  Ministry.  You  should  first  have  purged 
yourself  of  all  the  heavy  charges  which  the  said  Classis  has 
against  you.  Moreover  you  have  given  no  heed  to  their  reiterated 
citations.  You  have  been  therefore  suspended  by  them  from 
the  Holy  Service  of  the  church,  until  vou  render  satisfaction  to 
the  said  Classis. 

Also  the  Christian  S;^TLod  (of  l^s'orth  Holland)  has  confirmed 
your  suspension.  I  will  let  you  hear  the  very  words  of  the  act: 
"  Having  considered  this  matter  "  (the  Synod  has)  "  approved  the 
proceedings  against  you  by  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer,  by  a  unani- 
mous vote,  namely,  of  all  the  Hon.  lords,  commissioners,  and  all 
the  correspondents;  and  is  of  the  opinion  that  there  has  been 
none  other  than  ex  officio  action ''. 

Therefore  do  we  now  most  earnestly  exhort  and  command  you 
to  desist  from  the  Holy  Service  of  the  church  in  the  colony  of 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  289 

Rensselaerswyck,    until   you   shall   have    first   returned   to    the 
Fatherland^  and  have  purged  yourself. 

You  must  first  give  satisfaction  to  the  said  Classis,  and  secure 
release  from  the  suspension  pronounced  upon  you,  which  has  also 
been  ratified  by  the  Synod. 

We  can  not,  and  we  will  not,  allow  all  ecclesiastical  order  to 
be  violated,  by  tolerating  you  in  this  service.  !N'either  will  the 
Hon.  Patroon  suffer  you  to  continue  in  the  said  ministry  of  his 
colony. 

Therefore  we  shall  expect  you  cheerfully  and  willingly  to  gov- 
ern yourself  according  to  the  good  pleasure  of  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam.  "We  act  in  this  matter  with  the  full  approbation  of 
the  Hon.  Patroon  of  the  said  colony.  We  act  thus  that  your 
offence  may  not  be  rendered  still  worse.  We  shall  not  lack  means, 
in  case  of  disobedience,  to  oppose  your  irregularities  with  vigor 
and  effect. 

Having  no  other  business  we  close.  We  commend  you  to  God 
and  his  grace,  that  he  may  direct  you  in  such  a  manner,  that  you 
may  have  an  eye  only  to  his  honor,  your  own  prosperity,  the  edi- 
fication of  God's  Church  and  the  preservation  of  her  good  order. 

Yours  affectionately, 
The  Committee  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Peter  Wittenrongel. 

Ecc.  Amst.  loco  scriba 
Matthias  Meursius. 

Feb.  20th,  1651. 

1651,  Feb.  20th. 

Letter  to  the  church  and  people  of  the  colony  of  Eensselaerswyck, 

in  'New  I^etherland.     xxvi.  99-101. 

Honorable,  Discreet,  and  Godly  Brethren: — 

From  your  letter  to  the  Patroon  of  the  colony  of  Eensselaers- 
wyck, in  which  you  are  inhabitants,  we  have  learned  how  Rev. 

William  Grasmeer,  fomierly  pastor  in  the  Westerbuyrt  of  Graf- 

19 


1651 


290  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

1651 

clyck,  has  been  honored  by  yon,  having  been  invited  to  officiate 

in  the  holy  service  of  the  chnrch.     This,  was  done  on  the  strength 

of  two  certificates,  one  from  his  consistory,  and  the  other  from 

Eev.  Johannes  KnvfF. 

TVe  perceive  in  yonr  conduct,  yonr  zeal  to  establish  the  service 

of  the  divine  word  among  yon,  and  we  rejoice  in  this.     Indeed, 

it  cannot  well  be   otherwise,  than  that  they,  who  have  had  a 

real  taste  of  the  preaching  of  the  Holy  Gospel,  and  the  nse  of 

the  IIolv  Ordinances  of  God,  should  retain  the  desire  to  be  edi- 

fied  and  strengthened  by  the  same  means,  even  by  the  service  in 

their  most  holy  faith;  and  yonr  zeal  is  the  more  commendable 

from  this  fact,  that  von  have  shown  vonrselves  williner  to  main- 

tain  divine  worship  at  yonr  own  expense.     May  the  good  God 

grant  that  this  zeal  mav  increase  more  and  more,  to  the  advance- 

~  %j  / 

ment  of  trne  godliness  and  spiritual  growth  in  yonr  chnrch. 

But  it  has  grieved  us  sorely  that  you  have  cast  your  eyes  upon 
a  person  so  unworthy;  for  by  his  evil  conduct  he  has  unfitted  him- 
self for  so  hallowed  a  service.  ^Ve  heartily  wish  that  our  warn- 
ings, which  we  sent  you  in  good  conscience,  and  only  to  preserve 
sound  order  in  God's  Church,  had  been  better  heeded.  Then 
would  you  never  have  come  to  this,  to  desire  such  a  person  as 
your  pastor.  Yet  we  perceive  that  you  have  been  drawn  into 
your  course  by  some  persons  in  a  sinister  way,  and  we  assure  our- 
selves that  upon  obtaining  an  accurate  report  of  the  circumstances 
connected  mth  this  person,  you  will  no  longer  tolerate  him  in  your 
midst. 

You  will  see  from  the  decisive  acts  of  the  last  Synod,  wliich  we 
herewith  append,  that  the  said  Rev.  Grasmeer  being  guilty  of 
domestic  quarreling,  abandonment  of  his  wife,  drunkenness,  and. 
other  gi'eat  faults,  has  not  only  been  suspended  by  the  Classis  of 
Alckmaer  from  his  ministry,  but  also,  since  he  has  treated  said 
censure  with  contempt  and  disgraceful  insult,  and  has  continued 
without  legal  dismission  from  his  church,  that  he  has  been  de- 


OF  THE  State  of  ^N'ew  York.  291 

posed  from  all  ecclesiastical  functions.  You  will  also  under- 
stand, inasmuch  as  said  deposition  lias  been  approved  by  the  Rev. 
Svnod,  that  it  would  be  nothing  else  than  a  notorious  infraction 
of  all  lawful  order,  yea,  an  open  violation  of  ecclesiastical  dis- 
cipline, should  you  determine  to  retain  such  a  person  among  you 
in  the  holv  service  of  the  church. 

In  regard  to  his  certificates,  with  which  he  has  shamefully 
abused  your  confidence,  be  pleased  to  know  that  the  certificate 
of  the  consistorv  of  Grafdvck  was  dictated  by  the  said  Grasmeer 
himself.  The  style  of  this,  in  exaltation  of  himself,  is  so  extrava- 
gant, and  so  slanderous  in  reference  to  the  entire  Classis,  that 
it  is  a  very  shame,  and  is  loathsome  in  the  judgment  of  all  fair- 
minded  persons. 

Moreover  this  testimonial  was  granted  by  the  said  consistory 
in  simplicity,  and  upon  the  importunity  of  the  said  Grasmeer, 
and  against  the  order,  and  without  the  knowledge  of  the  Rev. 
Classis.  Therefore  also  the  said  certificate  has  been  rejected  and 
condemned  by  the  Rev.  Classis,  and  even  the  aforesaid  consistory 
has  been  declared  censurable  therein.  They  were,  de  facto,  cited 
before  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer,  and  severely  censured.  They 
have  also  acknowledged  their  guilt  in  the  giving  of  said  certificate, 
and  have  prayed  for  forgiveness. 

In  regard  to  the  particular  certificate  of  Rev.  Knyff,  for  which 
he  has  been  called  to  account  before  Classis;  the  same  Classis 
declares  that  this  was  obtained  from  him  through  the  false  rep- 
resentations of  Grasmeer,  and  under  pretended  sacred  promises 
that  he  would  obey  the  Rev.  Classis  in  all  things;  that  he  would 
first  confess  his  guilt  and  render  full  satisfaction  before  his  de- 
parture, etc.;  that  the  said  Grasmeer  deceived  Rev.  Knyff  with 
cunning,  and  instead  of  giving  satisfaction  to  the  Classis  at  his 
departure,  he  loaded  her  with  a  deceitful  libel,  and  thus  departed. 

These  matters  being  duly  considered  by  you,  will  enable  you  to 
perceive  that  we  have  great  reasons  to  urge,  and  which  we  do 


1651 


1651 


292  Ecclesiastical  Records 

with  the  full  approbation  of  the  Patroon  of  the  colony  of  Rens- 
selaerswyck,  the  removal  from  your  midst  of  so  irregular  a  per- 
son from  the  holy  service  of  the  church;  and  we  earnestly  request 
you  herewith  to  separate  yourselves  immediately  from  such  a 
minister.  For  he  is  deposed  from  the  right  to  perform  any  church 
ministrations,  and  possesses  no  right  whatever  to  preach  God^s 
word  among  you,  or  to  administer  the  sacraments.  Act  ye  accord- 
ingly, so  that  all  things  may  be  done  decently  and  in  order  in  the 
house  of  God,  that  all  confusion  may  be  warded  off  from  the 
churches,  and  good  discipline  may  be  exercised  and  maintained, 
in  conformity  to  the  word  of  God. 

We  had  hoped  also  at  this  time  to  send  you  a  devout,  learned, 
and  godly  minister,  with  the  approbation  and  permission  of  the 
Patroon  of  the  colony  of  which  you  are  inhabitants,  but  the  de- 
parture of  the  vessels  has  been  too  sudden;  but  we  doubt  not  we 
shall  be  able  to  do  so  with  vessels  soon  following. 

We  earnestly  request  you  to  be  satisfied  mth  our  action,  and 
to  depend  on  our  promise.  Place  the  said  Grasmeer  one  side, 
and  exhort  him  to  return  to  the  Fatherland  by  the  first  oppor- 
tunity, that  he  may  purge  himself  according  to  the  Order  of  the 
Church,  and  give  the  proper  satisfaction  to  the  oft-mentioned 
Classis  of  Alckmaer;  also  that  he  may  be  released  of  his  censure 
and  deposition,  and  discharged.  Thus  may  he  yet  be  authorized 
to  edify  the  church  of  God,  with  his  talents,  among  you  or  in  this 
land.  We  heartily  msh  this,  desiring  nothing  but  his  salvation. 
But  so  long  as  he  is  not  absolved  from  said  deposition,  neither  we 
nor  the  Patroon  of  the  colony  will  permit  him  to  continue  among 
you  in  the  sacred  church  service.  We  will  use  every  means  in  our 
power,  in  case  he  does  not  willingly  desist,  to  remove  him.  We 
will  do  this  that  God's  holy  name  be  not  blasphemed,  your  church 
demoralized,  and  the  good  order  and  discipline  of  the  church  be 
trampled  under  foot. 

Confidently  relying  upon  the  hope  that  your  church  will  gladly 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  293 

and  willingly  regulate  itself  according  to  this  our  writing,  we  close, 
commending  you,  etc.,  etc. 

Thus  done  in  the  name  and  at  the  request  of  the  Rev.  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  by  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Ecclesiastical  Af- 
fairs. 

Peter  Wittenrongel,  Ecc.  Amstal. 

Matthias  Meursius,  Loco  Scriba. 

1651,  Feb.  20th. 

Letter  to  the  Rev.  Consistory  on  the  Manhatan  in  'New  J^ether- 

land.     xxvi.  102. 

Reverend,     Llighly     Learned,     Most     Provident     and     Godly 
Brethren : — 

Inasmuch  as  the  committee  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alckmaer 
has  informed  us  that  the  Rev.  Grasmeer  has  forsaken  his  church 
at  Grafdyck,  contrary  to  all  order,  and  without  the  knowledge 
of  said  Classis;  and,  although  under  censure,  on  account  of  do- 
mestic quarrels,  desertion  of  his  wife,  drunkenness  and  other 
great  scandals,  has  proceeded  to  ISFew  Netherland,  without  mak- 
ing any  proper  satisfaction  to  the  said  Classis;  therefore  we 
desire  to  warn  you,  lest  so  irregular  a  person  be  admitted  to 
the  ministerial  office  in  or  about  your  region;  and  that  diligence 
should  be  used  to  cause  him  to  return  to  the  Fatherland  and  be 
reconciled  with  the  said  Classis,  and  be  relieved  of  his  censure. 

^Nevertheless  we  have  understood,  to  our  great  sorrow,  that 
matters  have  been  so  managed,  contrary  to  our  warning,  that 
he  has  been  advanced  in  due  form  to  the  sacred  church  service 
in  the  colony  of  Renselaerswyck.  But  this  is  a  notable  infrac- 
tion and  open  violation  of  all  church  order  and  ecclesiastical 
discipline.  For  Rev.  William  Grasmeer  has  been  formally  de- 
posed from  all  church  ministrations  by  the  said  Classis,  and  the 
said  deposition  has  been  fully  ratified  by  the  last  Synod  of  North 
Holland,  as  you  may  see  from  the  appended  acts  on  the  reverse 


1651 


1651 


294  Ecclesiastical  Records 

side  (of  this  letter).  Hence  we  could  not  remain  inactive;  but 
in  order  to  secure  the  performance  of  everything  decently  and 
in  order,  in  the  house  of  God,  and  to  prevent  all  confusion,  and 
that  good  discipline,  conformably  to  God's  word,  may  be  exer- 
cised and  maintained,  we  have  been  obliged  to  secure  the  re- 
moval of  Kev.  Grasmeer  from  the  sacred  church  service,  until 
he  return  to  the  Fatherland  and  be  properly  released  from  his 
deposition. 

To  this  end  we  have,  by  order  of  our  Classis,  and  with  the 
approval  and  concurrence  of  the  Patroon,  written  not  only  to 
the  forementioned  Grasmeer,  but  also  to  the  members  of  the 
church,  and  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  colony  of  Renselaerswyck, 
upon  this  subject.  We  have  promised  that  we  would  send  them, 
by  the  next  ships,  a  learned  and  devout  minister.  We  repeat 
our  communication  to  you,  that  it  may  please  you,  as  being  the 
nearest,  to  lend  us  a  helping  hand,  in  order  that  said  irregularity 
may  be  withstood,  and  the  good  order  of  the  church  and  the 
custom  of  good  discipline  may  remain  in  exercise.  To  this  you 
may  contribute  much,  because  your  Eev.  pastor  and  teacher, 
(Megapolensis),  is  the  father-in-law  of  said  Grasmeer.  We  be- 
lieve that  he  would  not  strengthen  or  nourish  such  irregularities. 
But  if  herein,  any  action  should  be  taken  against  the  good  ob- 
jects had  in  view  by  the  Synod,  the  Patroon  would  not  lack 
other  means  to  oppose  such  confusion  and  disorder.  But  we 
would  rather  that  everything  were  adjusted  quietly.  This  will 
be  done  if  the  said  Grasmeer  mil  listen  to  good  council,  and 
even  yet  become  inclined  to  follow  it.  He  ought  not,  indeed, 
to  have  taken  passage  from  here,  about  which  we  earnestly  cau- 
tioned him,  before  his  case  in  the  Classis  had  been  disposed  of; 
but  now,  that  a  formal  deposition  has  taken  place,  he  is  not  to 
be  recognized,  unless  he  first  return,  and  place  himself  properly 
before  the  Classis  and  Synod  for  justification. 

And  in  order  that,  meanwhile,  no  one's   confidence  may  be 


OF  THE  State  of  Kew  York.  29 


J 


1651 


abused  by  the  certificates  which  he  has  been  able  to  produce,  be 
pleased  to  understand  as  regards  the  certificate  of  the  consist- 
ory of  Grafdyck,  that  the  same  was  dictated  by  the  said  Gras- 
meer  himself,  and  that  in  so  extravagant  a  style  of  self  exalta- 
tion, with  slander  of  the  Eev.  Classis,  that  it  is  a  shame  before 
all  fair  minded  and  impartial  men.  It  was  also  told  us  by  the 
Classis  of  Alckmaer,  that  this  certificate  was  granted  by  the 
members  of  his  consistory  against  the  order  and  approbation  of 
the  Classis,  which  therefore  censured  and  condemned  the  said 
testimonial.  The  consistory  w^as  also  declared  censurable  in  re- 
gard  thereto.  The  members  were  thereupon  cited  de  facto  be- 
fore the  Classis,  and  were  severely  censured.  They  acknowl- 
edged their  guilt  in  the  matter,  and  prayed  for  forgiveness. 

In  regard  to  the  particular  certificate  of  Rev.  Knyff :  this 
too  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alckmaer  declares  to  have  been  given 
through  false  representations  of  Grasmeer;  and  as  it  ought  not 
to  have  been  given,  therefore,  although  given,  it  cannot  stand 
against  the  sentence  of  the  whole  Classis;  which  was  also  fully 
ratified  by  the  last  Synod. 

Wherefore  in  closing  you  will  perceive  that  the  said  Gras- 
meer must  remain  deposed  from  the  ministerial  ofiice,  and  all 
church  service  depending  thereupon,  so  long  as  he  does  not  give 
full  satisfaction  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alckmaer.  In  conclusion, 
we  offer  our  services  to  the  advancement  of  all  things  that  con- 
cern the  sacred  church  service  among  you. 

Praying  that  our  mutual  cooperation  in  the  maintenance  of 
the  good  order  and  discipline  of  our  church  may  increase  more 
and  more,  we  commend  you  to  God. 

Thus  done  by  order  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  in 
the  name  of  all  by  the  Committee  ad  res  Indicas,  your  obedient 
and  affectionate  brethren. 

Peter  Wittenwrongel,  Ecc.  Amstel. 

loco  scriba. 
Matthias  Meursius,  Ecc.  Sloterdicangs. 


1651 


296  Ecclesiastical  Records 


DiRECTOES   TO    StuYVESANT. 

March  21,  1651. 

Honorable,  Worthy,  Pious,  Faithful!  We  cannot  say  anything  about  the  copies 
called  for  by  Domine  Megapolensis,  except  that  we  delivered  to  the  Reverend  Classis 
the  manuscript  of  his  "  Examination  or  Confession  for  the  benefit  of  those,  who 
are  inclined  to  approach  the  Lord's  Table  ",  that  it  may  be  printed:  although  we 
have  called  upon  the  Reverend  Brethren  several  times,  we  have  as  yet  received  no 
other  reply,  as  that  they  would  take  this  matter  into  serious  consideration.  Mean- 
while the  Almighty  has  been  pleased  to  remove  Domine  Kesselerus,  a  member  of 
the  commission,  from  this  vale  of  misery;  this  is  likely  to  retard  the  matter  some- 
what, but  we  shall  not  cease  to  push  it.  This  department  has  resolved  to  release 
you  from  your  private  engagement  with  Domine  Megapolensis  and  to  charge  Itself 
with  his  yearly  salary,  hoping  that  with  the  Lord's  blessing  these  lands  will  shortly 
be  in  so  flourishing  a  condition,  that  all  the  expenses  for  them  may  be  paid  out  of 
their  revenues,  and  that  in  time  also  a  part  of  the  moneys  disbursed  by  us  may  be 
refunded.  With  this  view  we  recommend  you  seriously  to  make  all  possible  efforts 
in  collecting  old  debts  due  to  the  Company  and  the  tithes  from  such  pieces  of  land, 
which  are  now  subject  to  them;  so  that  we  may  be  relieved  from  the  municipal  ex- 
penses.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  131,  134. 


Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

1651,  Aug.  7th. 
Case  of  Rev.   Grasmeer,  now  Pastor  in  !N'ew  l^etherland. 

Attention  was  called  to  the  affair  of  the  deposition  of  Rev. 
Grasmeer:  Resolved,  That  the  delegates  who  go  to  the  Synod 
shall  at  the  reading  of  this  Act,  verbally  explain  how  this  person 
has  succeeded  in  intruding  himself  as  pastor  in  ISTew  Aether- 
land,  in  the  colony  of  Renselaerswyck,  and  what  certificates  he 
produced  for  that  purpose.  Also  what  has  been  done  by  this 
Classis  towards  his  ejection. 

The  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  are  charged  to  prepare  the  ext 
tracts  from  the  India  letters,  so  that  they  may  be  presented  in 
the  Synod  in  the  usual  order,     xxvi.  109. 

Synod  of  ISTorth  Holland,  1651,  at  Haarlem. 

1651,  Aug.  15    et  seq. 
Art.  22.    East  and  West  India  Affairs. 
This  Article  refers  exclusively  to  the  East  Indies  and  Brazil. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  297 

Art.  27.    The  Case  of  Grasmeer. 

Four  persons  appeared  from  Amsterdam,  characterizing  them- 
selves to  be  good  friends  of  Eev.  William  Grasmeer,  a  deposed 
minister  of  Graftdyck,  and  who  had  gone  to  'New  ISTetherland. 
See  Art.  46,  (1650.)  After  the  presentation  of  certain  argu- 
ments,  they  requested,  that  the  call  made  upon  him  to  the  sacred 
ministry  at  Fort  Orange  in  the  Colony  of  Eensselaerwyck  might 
take  its  course,  and  that  the  interdict  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alk- 
maer  in  that  regard,  made  heretofore,  might  be  relaxed  and  sus- 
pended. The  Christian  Synod,  having  become  more  clearly 
acquainted  with  the  circumstances,  both  of  this  call  and  of  the 
interdict  thereof,  from  the  delegates  of  the  respective  Classes 
of  Amsterdam  and  Alkmaer,  declares  that  the  above  private  re- 
quests can  not  be  entertained  by  it,  until  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Alkmaer  be  given  proper  satisfaction  by  Rev.  Grasmeer,  in  con- 
formity with  what  was  resolved  on  in  reference  to  his  case  last 
year,  in  Article  46,  at  the  Synod,  at  Alkmaer. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Acts  of  the  Deputies.     John  Bakkerus. 

1651,  August  28th. 

Rev.  John  Rulitus  makes  known,  that  it  was  recommended 
to  him  by  the  Synod,  that  Rev.  John  Bakkerus,  heretofore  a 
minister  in  the  "West  Indies,  should  be  sent  now  to  the  East 
Indies.  He  lives  in  the  Hugo  Waard  (a  lake  filled  in,  in  1631,) 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  Cud  Medorp  (about  seven  or  eight 
English  miles  E'.E.  of  Alkmaar),  in  the  Classis  of  Alkmaar. — 
XX.  286. 

1651,  Sept.  4th. 

Rev.  John  Backerus  having  come  within,  announces  his  in- 
clination of  sailing  as  minister  to  the  East  Indies;  to  this  end 
he  exhibited  his  testimonials,  which  were  found  to  be  laudable. 
Whereupon  the  Brethren  —  notmthstanding  the  fact  that  the 


1651 


1651 


298  Ecclesiastical  Records 

said  Backerus  is  an  unlettered  (uneducated)  person,  and  that 
the  churches  of  East  India  and  the  Messrs.  Directors  would 
rather  see  educated  persons  admitted  to  the  ministry  of  the  East 
Indian  Churches;  nevertheless  considering  the  very  praiseworthy 
testimonials  of  liis  faithful  ministrations  rendered  in  the 
churches  of  the  West  Indies,  and  his  pious  conduct  since  his 
return  from  Brazil;  and  also  the  earnest  recommendation  of  the 
last  Synod  of  Xorth  Holland,  and  particularly  the  great  lack  of 
preachers  in  the  East  Indies,  and  that  the  Messieurs  Directors 
now  desire  a  person  who  has  previously  been  in  actual  service; — 
have  resolved  to  enjoin  the  Deputies  on  Indian  affairs  to  recom- 
mend this  person  to  the  Messieurs  Directors  in  the  most  suit- 
able manner,  and  to  appoint  him  in  preference  to  any  others. — 
V.  230. 

1651,  Sept.  11th. 

It  was  resolved  to  present  to  the  Chamber  of  Amsterdam  the 
person  of  John  Bakkerus,  to  be  sent  out  as  a  minister.  At 
the  same  time  to  ask  how  manv  ministers  and  ziecken-troosters 
the  Messrs.  Directors  might  need,  by  writer,     xx.  287. 

Report  from  the  Deputies  ad  res  Indicas  concerning  what  was 
accomplished  by  them  with  the  Assembly  of  the  XVII. 

1651,  Oct.  2nd. 

The  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  reported  to  the  Assembly  that 
in  accordance  with  the  resolution  of  the  Classis  they  had  pre- 
sented to  the  Messrs.  Directors  Rev.  John  Backerus,  in  order 
that  he  might  be  sent  as  minister  to  the  East  Indies,  but  that 
they  (the  Directors)  had  made  objections  to  treat  with  him, 
(Backerus,)  inasmuch  as  they  claimed  not  to  have  had  time 
enough  to  make  inquiries  in  regard  to  him.  They  declared  that 
for  the  present  they  could  get  along  with  a  Comforter  of  the 
Sick.     V.  232^. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  299 

1661 

Acts  of  tlie  Deputies.     John  Bakkerus. 

1651,  Oct.  yOth. 

Eev.  Kulitus  and  Eev.  Menrsius  report  that  they  had  intro- 
duced John  Bakkerus  to  the  Messrs.  Directors.  They  had  re- 
ceived as  reply,  that  they  (the  Directors)  must  make  further  in« 
quiries  about  him,  as  they  must  be  perfectly  sure  (at  rest)  about 
the  ministers  who  are  sent  out.  It  was  therefore  resolved  to 
lav  this  before  the  Classis  in  order  to  ascertain  what  shall  be 
further  done  with  him. —  xx.  289,  290. 

Ministers  for  East  India. 

1651,  Nov.  6th. 

Came  within  Rev.  John  Backerus  renemng  his  request  to  be 
sent  as  minister  to  the  East  Indies.  Thereupon  the  Deputies 
ad  causas  Indicas  reported  that,  in  accordance  with  the  resolu- 
tion of  the  Classis, '  they  had  presented  the  said  person  to  the 
Messrs.  Directors.  They  had  received  for  answer  that  these 
gentlemen  must  have  more  time  to  make  inquiries  about  the  said 
person,  before  they  could  accept  him,  and  that  therefore  they 
would  for  this  time  content  themselves  with  the  Comforter  of 
the  Sick,  Henry  Hendricksen  on  the  ship  Despatch,  (Depeche); 
at  the  same  time  they  asked  the  advice  of  Classis  how  they  were 
to  conduct  themselves  in  reference  to  the  next  equipment,  for 
which  but  one  minister  ^\dll  be  required.  Eor  besides  the  above 
mentioned  Rev.  Backerus,  and  the  candidate  Rev.  John  Wess- 
laer,  there  have  presented  themselves  for  the  service  of  the 
church  in  the  East  Indies,  Rev.  Tiberius  a  Ravesteyn  and  Rev. 
Gualterius  (Walter)  Peigenina,  both  ministers  in  active  service. 
The  former  is  at  ^t  Zion  in  Friesland,  and  the  latter  at  Ommeren 
in  the  Betuiva  (Gelderland).  The  (Classical)  Assembly  re- 
solved that  for  the  present  they  ^vill  first  present  the  said  Rev. 
John  Backerus.  In  case  he  should  not  be  accepted  they  will 
then  reconamend  in  the  best  terms  possible  the  candidate  Rev. 
John  Wesslaer,  since   he  manifests   a  particular  inclination  to 


1651 


300  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

* 

serve  the  churclies  of  India.  Subsequently,  the  furtherance  of 
the  said  ministers  shall  be  attended  to  as  opportunity  offers. —  v» 
233^. 

John  Bakkerus. 

1651,  Xov.  13th.     ■ 

It  was  resolved,  in  compliance  with  the  order  of  Classis,  to 
present  again  the  person  of  Eev.  John  Bakker  to  the  Messrs. 
Directors;  and  in  case  of  refusal,  to  present  Rev.  John  van 
der  Staart.     This  will  be  done  this  evening. —  xx.  290. 

Council  Min^utes Church  Property  ;  Surgeons  ; 

Anabaptists. 

Monday,  the  12th  of  February    1652  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  present  the  Director  Gen- 
eral, La  Montagne  and  Brian  Newton. 

The  Deacons  of  the  Church  request  by  a  petition  that  the  money  due  for  the  pur- 
chased land  may  be  set  off  against  the  Honorable  Company  to  the  amount  of  One 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty  florins. 

The  Council  decree:  liat  the  offset. 

Domlne  Johannes  Megapolensis  requests,  that  Anna  Smits,  an  Anabaptist,  should 
be  restrained  from  using  slanderous  and  calumniatin-g  expressions  against  God's 
Word  and  his  servants. 

The  Director  General  and  Council  direct,  that  Anna  Smits  shall  appear  on  the 
following  Wednesday  at  the  school  of  David  Provoost,  where  the  nine  men  usually 
meet  and  that  the  Director  and  Council  together  with  the  Complainant  and  the 
consistory  shall  assemble  there  also,  to  hear  what  the  said  Anna  Smits  has  to  say 
against  the  teachings  of  the  complainant. 

Adrian  van  Tienhoven,  Samuel  Megapolensis  and  Jan  de  la  Montagne  request  per- 
mission to  erect  a  pew  in  the  Church  of  this  place,  which 

The  General  and  Council  resolve  to  take  into  consideration. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
xiv.  155,  156. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
(A  minister)  Also  for  the  Colony  at  Rensselaerswyck. 

1652,  Feb.  12th. 

And  whereas  the  Patroons  and  the  congregation  (community) 
participant  in  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  would  also  like  to 
have  a  minister  in  the  same  Colony,  and  if  possible  a  person 
of  some  years,  and  who  has  some  knowledge  of  medicine,  the 
several  brethren  and  members  of  the  Classis  are  recommended 
to  look  about  for  a  suitable  person. —  v.  235^;  xxvi.  121. 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  301 

Rev.  William  Grasmeer. 

1652,  Feb.  12th. 

Stood  within  Rev.  William  Grasmeer,  who  arrived  in  these 
provinces  from  JSTew  [N'etherland  with  the  last  ships.  He  said 
that  at  the  request  of  his  mother,  (who  had  come  from  her 
own  quarters  in  the  Fatherland  in  order  to  persuade  him  to  the 
said  journey,)  he  had  made  up  his  mind  to  leave  his  charge  at 
Graftdyk,  with  the  consent  of  his  people  but  as  no  full  Classis 
was  going  to  be  held  there  at  that  time,  he  had  not  been  able 
to  obtain  a  proper  dismission  from  the  same,  nor  to  take  with 
him  a  full  certificate.  He  had  therefore  contented  himself  with 
private  testimonials  from  his  church  and  from  one  of  the  minis- 
ters of  Alkmaer.  Afterward  some  brethren,  although  he  did 
not  know  from  what  motive  this  had  been  done,  and  notwith- 
standing they  had  agreed  to  excuse  him,  had  gone  to  work  to 
bring  objections  and  accusations  against  him  before  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam.  To  such  an  extent  had  this  been  done  that 
the  same  had  been  pleased  to  warn  the  Church  and  the  Colony 
of  Rensselaerswyck  against  him ;  yea,  after  he  had  been  accepted 
in  the  same,  as  their  minister,  for  some  months,  to  notify  that 
church  that  they  should  not  recognize  him  in  the  capacity  of 
minister,  until  he  should  have  returned  to  the  Fatherland,  and 
should  have  given  proper  satisfaction  to  the  Classis  of  Alkmaer. 

At  the  first  writing,  indeed  he  had  not  been  able  to  make  up 
his  mind  to  do  this;  but  finally  on  the  last  communication  of 
this  Classis,  he  had  determined  to  present  himself  before  the 
Classis  of  Alkmaer,  who  had  placed  him  under  its  censure.  He 
did  not  wish  to  say  much  about  this  censure,  one  way  or  the 
other,  inasmuch  as  there  was  a  mutual  agreement,  and  there  was 
no  wish  to  blacken  his  character.  He  had  therefore  reconciled 
himself  with  the  Classis  in  that  regard,  having  been  relieved 
from  the  censure  by  a  regular  Act  of  the  said  Classis;  even  as 
he  had  also  shown  his  testimonials,  both  of  the  church  of  Rensse- 
laerswyck as  well  as  of  'New  Amsterdam  in  l^ew  ISTetherland, 


1652 


302  Ecclesiastical  Records 

which  Tvere  praiseworthy.  He  now  requests  the  good  favor  of 
this  Assemblv,  and  to  be  recommended  to  the  Messrs.  Directors 
of  the  TTest  India  Company,  that  he  might  be  appointed  as  sec- 
ond minister  at  the  said  ^ew  Amsterdam. 

The  Assembly,  surprised  in  tlie  highest  measure  at  this  sud- 
den reconciliation  in  so  serious  and  important  a  matter,  and 
aware  of  his  well  kno^vu  deposition  (de-portment)  in  the  Classis 
of  Alkmaer,  resolved  to  inform  said  Grasmeer,  that  this  Assem- 
bly takes  it  in  evil  part,  that  in  the  face  of  our  warning,  he  al- 
lowed himself  to  intrude  into  the  service  at  Rensselaerswyck.  As 
regards  his  request,  this  Assembly  can  in  no  sense  accede  to  it 
until  he  shall  have  been  released  from  deposition,  (de-portment) 
by  the  Synod  of  !N^orth  Holland;  and  until  it  appears  how  mat- 
ters now  stand  between  himself  and  his  wife.  The  Deputati 
ad  causas  Indicas  shall  convey  to  the  Messrs.  Directors  the  opin- 
ion (mind)  of  this  Assembly. —  v.  235-|;  xxvi.  120-1. 

To  send  a  Minister  to  ]N^ew  ISTetherland. 

1652,  Feb.  12th. 

"Whereas  the  Messrs.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company 
had  informed  the  Deputies  ad  causas  Indicas,  that  they  would 
like  to  have  a  second  minister  in  the  church  of  jSTew  Amsterdam, 
in  ISTew  IN:  etherland,  and,  if  possible,  one  who  might  also  be  able 
to  preach  in  English  and  whereas  the  meeting  was  informed 
that  there  is  at  Leyden  one  Rev.  Samuel  Dries,  (Drisius,)  late 
minister  in  England,  who  is  said  to  be  able  to  preach  in  both 
Dutch  and  English;  therefore  the  Deputies  ad  causas  Indicas  are 
authorized  to  make  inquiries  about  him,  and  to  ascertain  if  the 
said  person  would  be  inclined  to  accept  said  appointment. —  v. 
2351;  xxvi.  120-1. 


OF  THE  State  of  ^ew  York.  303 

Affidavit  of  the  Rev.  Wilhelmus  Gkasmeek,  that  Cornelis 
Melyn  Incited  the  ISTyack  and  Other  Indians  Against 
Director  Stuyvesant,  etc. 

To-day,  the  14th  day  of  February  Anno  1652  appeared  before  me  Hendrick  SchaefC, 
Notary  Public,  admitted  by  the  Court  of  Holland  and  residing  at  Amsterdam,  and 
before  the  undersigned  witnesses,  the  Rev.  Wilhelmus  Grasmeer,  lately  a  minister 
of  the  Gospel  in  New  Netherland,  whence  he  returned  last  November  in  the  ship 
"  Hoff  van  Cleeff  ";  who  being  in  this  city,  deposes  and  says,  at  the  request  of  tho 
Directors  of  the  Privileged  West  India  Company,  that  a  long  time  after  Cornells 
Melyn,  a  freeman  of  I\ew  Netherland,  whom  witness  knows  well,  had  arrived  in 
New  Netherland  in  the  ship  "  Nieu  Nederlantsche  Fortuyn  ",  on  her  last  voyage,  he, 
witness,  had  heard  the  Manhattans  Indians  of  New  Netherland,  living  at  Nayack, 
a  place  on  Long  Island  directly  opposite  Staten  Island,  frequently  say,  that  the  said 
Cornells  Melyn  had  made  them  believe  and  declared  to  them.  Director  Petrus  Stuy- 
vesant  would,  as  soon  as  he  had  built  a  wall  around  Port  Amsterdam,  come  to  kill 
them,  namely  the  savages,  whereupon  the  said  savages  fled  and  came  armed  to 
Gravesend,  which  belongs  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  aforesaid  Company;  etc.  etc. 
—  Col.   Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  160. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1652,  Feb.  26tli. 
Rev.  John  Rulitiiis  in  the  Chair. 

Rev.  Samuel  Driesch,  (Drisius,)  formerly  pastor  in  England, 
but  educated  by  German  parents,  and  in  the  German  tongue, 
appeared  and  declared  his  readiness  to  be  employed  as  minister 
in  ISTew  ^N^etherland.  And  inasmuch  as  the  Messrs.  Directors 
have  greatly  desired  a  minister  who  besides  preaching  in  Dutch, 
could  also  preach  in  English,  it  was  determined  to  make  trial 
next  Monday  how  they  like  his  German  (Dutch?)  pronunciation. 
After  ascertaining  the  facts  they  mil  further  negotiate  with 
his  Reverence. —  xx.  291. 

1652,  March  11th. 

Rev.  Matthias  Meursius  in  the  Chair. 

In  accordance  with  previous  resolution,  trial  was  made  last 
Monday  of  the  gifts,  bestowed  by  God,  upon  Rev.  Samuel 
Driesch  (Drisius,)  for  preaching  in  Dutch.  These  were  found 
not  only  sufficient,  but  also  very  agreeable  and  edifying,  and  to 
the  great  satisfaction  of  the  brethren.     Therefore  his  Reverence 


1652 


1652 


304  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

is  judged  to  be  a  right  desirable  person  to  serve  the  clmrcli  of 
God  in  ^ew  Xetherland.  For  this  he  has  also  declared  his  will- 
ingness. As  two  vessels  are  about  to  depart,  it  is  found  neces- 
sary to  call  a  meeting  of  Classis  for  next  Monday,  March  18th. 
—  XX.  293. 

1652,  March  18th. 

The  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  make  known  to  the  Assembly 
several  matters:    xxxvi.  122. 

1.  That  Samuel  Dries  (Drisius)  had  appeared  before  them, 
and  had  informed  them  of  his  inclination  to  serve  the  church  of 
JSTew  Amsterdam  in  ISTew  j^etherland;  that  he  had  also  given 
such  proof  of  his  ability,  and  of  his  acquaintance  with  the  Dutch 
language,  that  all  the  brethren  were  fully  satisfied  therewith. 

2.  That  they  have  (notified)  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  East 
India  Company  on  certain  matters.   (These  sixteen  lines  omitted). 

3.  That  there  had  also  been  before  them  a  certain  Eev.  John 
Olx,  candidate  in  the  Classis  of  Iloorn,  w^ho  has  offered  his  ser- 
vices as  pastor  in  the  colony  of  Renselaerwyck  in  I^ew  i^Tether- 
land;  but  inasmuch  as  there  are  certain  evil  reports  concerning 
him,  they  refer  his  case  to  the  Classis.  Meanwhile  they  had 
resolved  to  make  inquiries  concerning  him.  They  herewith  pre- 
sented what  information  they  had  received  on  the  matter  from 
the  Classis  of  Iloorn,  in  the  shape  of  extracts  from  their  pro- 
ceedings, from  time  to  time,  concerning  the  case  of  said  John 
Olx.  Erom  these  it  appeared  that  he  had  not  only  conducted 
himself  offensively  at  Ley  den;  and  had  been  a  member  of  the 
church  only  six  months  before  he  w^as  preparatorily  examined 
in  the  Ommelanden,  (neighborhood);  but  also  after  he  had  been 
accepted,  as  ^^  Recommended  ",  by  the  Classis  of  Iloorn,  he  had 
occasioned  such  scandal  by  his  manner  of  life,  in  the  church  of 
Hoorn,  that  he  had  been  suspended  by  the  same,  as  well  as  by 
the  Classis,  for  a  time,  and  declared  ineligible  to  the  ministerial 
office.  Nevertheless,  on  the  4th  of  December,  1651,  he  had 
been  released  from  his  censure,  and  restored  to  his  former 
position. 


OF  THE  State  of  !N^ew  Yokk.  305 

1652 

The  Assembly  resolved,  primarily,  to  consider  these  two  sub- 
jects, in  their  respective  order. 

As  regards  the  first:  Since  Eev.  Samuel  Dries  (Drisius),  was 
at  the  door,  it  was  resolved  to  admit  him.  He  informed  the  As- 
sembly of  his  inclination  for  the  said  journey,  and  presented  a 
commendatory  testimonial  of  the  entire  consistory  of  the  Eng- 
lish church  in  this  city,  (Amsterdam.)  It  relates  both  to  his 
Kfe  and  church  services  in  England,  speaking  highly  of  them. 
With  this  the  brethren  were  fully  satisfied,  and  the  Deputies  , 
are  charged  to  negotiate  with  the  Hon.  Directors,  and  to  pro- 
mote the  said  person  as  speedily  as  possible. 

As  regards  the  second:  (^N^othing  is  given.  It  probably  re- 
lated to  the  notification  of  the  West  India  Company:) 

And  as  regards  the  third:  There  also  now  entered,  the 
said  Rev.  John  Olx,  candidate  in  the  Classis  of  Hoorn.  He  pre- 
sented a  Classical  testimonial  of  his  examination  in  the  West 
Ommeland,  (neighborhood),  and  one  from  the  Rev.  Roylandus, 
secretary  of  the  Classis  of  Hoorn.  He  requested  the  favor  of 
this  Assembly  to  be  sent  as  pastor  to  the  colony  of  Rense- 
laerswyck. 

The  Assembly,  taking  into  consideration  his  former  offensive 
deportment,  for  which  he  was  brought  under  severe  censure, 
both  by  the  church  of  Hoorn  and  the  Classis,  as  mentioned 
above;  and  also  that  the  testimonials  which  he  exhibits  oonceruN 
ing  his  present  deportment  are  very  sober  and  meagre :  there- 
fore it  is  resolved  to  reject  him,  and  to  tell  him  roundly,  that 
the  Assembly  has  no  satisfaction  in  him,  and  can,  at  the  present, 

give  him  no  hope  that  they  vdll  advance  him,  according  to  his 
request. 

Rev.  John  Episcopius. 

And  since  it  has  also  been  mentioned  that  there  is  at  Eraneker, 
a  very  able  student,  Rev.  John  Episcopius  of  Campen,  of  whom 
the  chief  professor.  Rev.  John  Cloppenburg  speaks  very  highly; 
and  inasmuch  as  hope  is  given  concerning  him,  that  he  might 

20 


1652 


306  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

be  induced  to  this  journey;  therefore  the  Assembly  authorizes 
the  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  to  recommend  him,  in  case  there 
be  no  other  material,  to  the  Patroon  and  the  Co-partners  of  the 
colony  of  Renselaerswyck.  In  case  they  take  pleasure  therein, 
the  Deputati  shall  summon  him  fr6m  Franeker,  against  the  next 
ordinary  meeting  of  the  Classis,  there  to  exhibit  his  testimonials, 
and  to  have  himself  in  readiness,  if  possible,  for  his  examina- 
tion at  that  time;  for  the  next  departure  of  the  vessels  is  now 
near  at  hand. 

Rev.  Samuel  Dries.     William  Grasmeer. 

The  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  report,  that  the  said  Rev. 
Samuel  Dries,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Classis,  has  been 
accepted  by  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  as 
second  pastor  at  Xew  Amsterdam  in  Xew  ISTetherland. 

That  they  had  also  promised  to  heed  the  warning  of  the  Clas- 
sis against  Rev.  William  Grasmeer. —  xxvi.  122-125;  v.  236-237. 

William  Yestens. 

1652,  April  2nd. 

Rev.  WittenwTongel  read  a  certain  letter  from  William  Yes- 
tens,  Comforter  of  the  Sick  at  Xew  Amsterdam,  in  which  he  re- 
quests compensation  for  his  office  as  sexton,  which  he  exercises 
there;  and  that  this  may  be  recommended  to  the  Hon.  Directors 
of  the  West  India  Company. 

Resolved,  To  charge  the  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  with  the  ad- 
justment of  this  matter. 

The  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  also  announce  that  they  have 
presented  Rev.  Episcopius  to  the  Patroons  of  Renselaers^vyck,  to 
be  sent  hither  as  pastor.  The  said  Patroons  desire  first  to  con- 
fer with  him  concerning  the  salary  contract. 

Resolved  That  after  the  making  of  the  contract  the  Rev.  Depu- 
ties shall  confer  with  them,  and  act  pro  re  nata;  and  that  a 
meeting  of  the  Classis  shall  be  called.  The  Rev.  President,  Scri- 
verius,  shall  examine  him. —  xxvi.  122. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  307 

Directors  to  Stuyvesant  ; ]^ew  Amsterdam  In- 
corporated ; Revs.  Drisius  and  Grasmeer. 


1652 


1652,    4th   April. 

We  alBO  agree  with  your  proposition  to  establish  there  (New  Amsterdam)  a 
public  school  and  beliere  a  beginning  might  be  made  with  one  schoolmaster 
(bypodldasculum),  who  could  be  engaged  at  a  yearly  salary  of  two  hundred  to  two 
hHndred  and  fifty  guilders.  We  recommend  for  this  position  Jan  de  la  Montagnie,* 
whom  we  have  provisionally  appointed  to  it  and  you  may  use  the  building  of  the 
City  Tavern,    if  you  find  it  suitable. 

At  your  urgent  request  for  another  preacher,  whom  you  desire,  if  possible,  to 
preach  in  the  English  language,  we  have  made  every  effort;  and  at  last,  as  if 
sent  by  the  Lord,  Domine  Samuel  Dries,  a  bachelor  of  about  forty  years,  has 
made  his  appearance,  who  on  account  of  the  perturbances  in  England,  where  he 
had  been  preaching,  being  born  of  Dutch  parents,  has  retreated  from  there.  He 
has  the  reputation  of  being  a  very  pious  man  and  possessed  of  great  gifts;  is 
able  to  preach  in  both  languages,  English  and  Dutch,  and  if  necessary  even  in 
French.  He  is  said  to  be  of  a  very  peaceful  disposition  and  agreeable  conversa- 
tion, so  that  we  are  confident,  the  community  will  be  pleased  with  him  and  that 
he  will  be  a  great  instrument  for  the  propagating  of  God's  hold  word  and  glory; 
also  a  fit  assistant  to  the  old  gentleman,  Domine  Megapoleusis.  We  have  allowed 
him  a  salary  of  one  hundred  fiorins  per  month,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  florins 
a  year  for  subsistence;  and  as  he  is  unmarried,  we  have  thought  it  might  not  be 
inconvenient,  if  he  boarded  with  Johan  de  la  Montagnie;  but  we  do  not  wish  to 
press  such  an  arrangement  upon  either,  and  propose  it  only  from  pure  affection. 

As  you  now  will  have  learned,  that  we  do  our  very  best  to  promote  the  spiritual 
and  temporal  welfare  of  New  Netherland,  we  urge  you  most  earnestly  to  use 
all  proper  and  suitable  measures  in  endeavoring  to  find  means  for  defraying  a 
part  of  all  these  extraordinary  expenses:  we  think  the  community,  whom  we  try 
to  accommodate  in  everything,  should  make  an  effort  to  assist  their  ministers  and 
supply  their  wants;  for  if  everything  were  to  remain  upon  our  shoulders,  we  might 
at  last  find  the  burden  too  heavy. 

Upon  your  recommendation  we  had  an  eye  upon  Domine  Grasmeer,  but  found 
his  affairs  with  tlie  Reverend  Synod  so  far  from  being  settled,  that  he  cannot  sail 
this  year:  it  is  true,  the  charges  against  him  have  been  satisfactorily  disposed  of 
by  the  Classis  of  Alckmaer;  but  the  Synod  had  to  approve  of  this  decision,  and 
it  will  not  sit  until  next  August:  then  the  time  to  sail  this  year  will  have  passed; 
the  good  man  is  much  inconvenienced  by  it,  but  it  is  considered  best  for  him, 
on  all  sides,  that  he  should  submit  in  everything  to  the  ordinances  of  the  Church 
of  this  country;  and  as  God  Is  a  God  of  order,  vs^e  doubt  not  that  he  will  take 
care  of  him  and  all  pious  people. —  Col.  Docs.  N,  Y.  xiv.  165,  169,  173,  174. 

The  following  reminiscences,  illustrative  of  things  as  they  were,  are  deemed 
worthy  of  insertion.  The  quaint  and  elliptical  language  In  which  the  latter  is 
given,  is  characteristic  of  the  author.  Judge  Benson.  In  his  memoir,  read  before 
the  New  York  Historical  Society  in  1816,  speaking  of  John  De  La  Montague, 
ordinarily  pronounced,  Jan  Montague,  sexton  of  the  old  Dutch  church  In  Garden 
street,  he  says:  *'  I  saw  him  at  the  house  of  my  parents;  I  in  my  earliest  youth, 
he  approaching  to  fourscore.  He  was  on  his  way  to  collect  the  Domine's  gelt; 
for  the  Dutch  always  took  care  the  stipend  to  the  minister  should  be  competent, 
that  so  he  never  might  be  straitened  '  to  desire  a  gift.'  He  told  me  his  father  and 
grandfather  before  him  (the  names  of  all  three  individuals  may  be  found  in  the 
old  Directories),  the  latter  probably  the  same  as  mentioned  in  the  records,  '  Jan 
De  La  Montague,   Schoolmaster,  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  guilders  salary,'  had 


•  The  City  Tavern  occupied  what  is  now  71,  78  Pearl  st.    For  view,  see  Valentine's 
Manual,  1S52,  378,  403, 


1652 


308  Ecclesiastical  Records 

been  the  sexton  of  the  congregation;  so  that,  as  I  have  it  from  the  relation  of 
others,  the  successive  incumbents,  having  been  as  well  of  the  same  Christian  as 
surname,  the  name  had,  as  it  were,  become  the  name  of  the  oflSce,  lilie  Der, 
Keyser,  the  Caesar,  the  Emperor;  and,  accordingly,  when  the  English,  having 
built  a  church,  had  also  a  sexton,  the  Dutch  children,  and  not  impossible  some 
adults,  called  him,  '  De  Engelishe  Jan  Moutagne.'  He  told  me  his  grandfather 
was  the  sexton  when  the  church  was  within  the  fort.  On  his  (the  third  Jan's) 
death,  the  Consistory  appointed  his  son  Jan,  who  remained  sexton  till  the  dis- 
persion of  the  congregation  on  the  invasion  of  the  city,  1776."  — Dunshee's  Hist, 
of  School,  24. 

1652,    April  4. 

Supplies  of  ammunition  were  sent  out  for  distribution  "  at  a  decent  price  "  to 
the  inhabitants;  the  establishment  of  a  public  school  was  assented  to,  and  the 
city  tavern  was  to  be  appropriated  to  a  school-house  "  if  the  same  were  prac- 
ticable; "  the  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius,  a  clergyman  of  piety  and  parts,  qualified  to 
preach  in  English,  French  and  Dutch,  was  sent  out  to  assist  "  that  worthy  old 
servant,  the  Rev.   Megapolensis." 

Domine  Drisius,  (or  Dries,)  was  at  this  time  about  forty  years  of  age,  and 
unmarried.  He  had  sojourned  some  time  in  England,  which  country  he  had  now 
quitted,  in  consequence  of  its  disturbed  state.  His  salary  was  fixed  at  one 
thousand  four  hundred  and  fifty  guilders,  or  five  hundred  and  eighty  dollars.  He 
subsequently  married  Lysbeth  Juriaensen,  (daughter  of  skipper  Juriaen  Andriessen 
and  Jannetin  Jans,)  widow  of  Isaac  Greveraet.  "  Elisabeth  Drisius,"  and  "  Mother 
Drisius,"  are  both  mentioned  in  a  tax  list  of  the  city  of  New  York  for  1677. — 
O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  ii.  191. 

Classis  OF  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1652,  April  15th. 
Rev.  Herman  Lanoyzius  in  the  Chair. 

Rev.  John  Episcopius,  who,  with  the  approval  of  the  Hon. 
Patroons  and  Co-Directors,  had  been  requested  to  fill  the  pastorate 
of  Renselaerswyck,  reported  himself.  He  said  that,  in  view  of 
the  dubious  condition  of  affairs  between  England  and  this  coun- 
try, (Holland),  his  Reverence,  at  the  instance  of  his  friends, 
would  pray  to  be  excused  from  said  undertaking. 

Also,  inasmuch  as  good  testimonials  have  been  presented  con- 
cerning Gideon  Schaets,  schoolmaster  at  Beest  and  a  German 
clerk,  who  has  fulfilled  the  order  of  the  Synod,  and  declared  his 
willingness  to  accept  the  call  from  Renselaerswyck;  therefore  it 
was  resolved  to  introduce  him  to  the  Rev.  Classis.  The  Classis 
has  given  permission  to  treat  with  him  concerning  the  said  call. 
This  he  has  accepted  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  He  was  then  im- 
mediately examined  by  the  Classis,  and  has  been  sent  thither 
with  the  call  and  proper  credentials. —  xx.  295. 


;.  OF    THE    StATE    OF    ]^EW    YoEK.  30U 

w.  ■ 

Kev.  Gideon  Schaats. 

1652,  May  6tli. 

The  Eev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  having  also  t)een  ordered 
to  look  about  for  a  fit  person  to  be  sent  to  Rensselaers\vyck,  did 
propose  Eev.  Gideon  Schaats,  schoolmaster  at  Beest,  and  Candi- 
date in  Sacred  Theology.  He  appeared  before  the  Classis,  and 
after  he  had  exhibited  credentials  both  from  the  Classis  and 
from  the  church,  made  a  short  exposition  (sermon)  on  Matt. 
11:28,  which  so  pleased  the  Assembly  that  it  was  resolved  to 
proceed  to  his  examination.  This  was  conducted  by  the  Eev. 
President.  Therein  he  gave  sufficient  satisfaction  to  the  Eev. 
Assembly,  to  be  sent  as  minister  to  Eensselaerswyck.  Accord- 
ingly he  was  ordained  by  the  President  to  the  ministry  of  God, 
with  the  laying  on  of  hands.  He  also  signed  the  acts  of  the 
Formulae  of  Concord  in  the  faith. —  v.  241;  xxvi.  126. 


1652 


The  Eev.  Gideon  Schaets'  Conteact. 


1652,  May  8. 


This  gentleman,  the  second  clergyman  In  Albany,  was  born  in  1G07.  He  was 
originally  engaged  as  minister  of  the  Colonic  of  Rensselaerswyck,  but  in  1657  he 
was  appointed,  "  at  the  request  of  the  inhabitants  of  Fort  Orange  and  Beverwyck," 
minister  of  the  latter  place,  at  a  salary  of  twelve  hundred  guilders,  to  be  collected 
for  the  greatest  part  from  the  inhabitants."  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  con- 
tract under  which  he  first  came  to  this  country: — 

We,  Johan  van  Rensselaer  Patroon  and  Co-director  of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaers- 
wyck in  New  Netherland,  having  seen  and  examined  the  Actes  granted  by  the 
Venerable  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Domine  Gideon  Schaets,  so  have  we  invited 
and  accepted  the  said  Gideon  Schaets  as  preacher  in  our  aforesaid  Colonie,  there 
to  perform  Divine  Service  in  quality  aforesaid: — 

To  use  all  Christian  zeal  there  to  bring  up  both  the  Heathen  and  their  children 
in  the  Christian  Religion. 

To  teach  all  the  Catechism  there,  and  instruct  the  People  in  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
and  to  pay  attention  to  the  office  of  Schoolmaster  for  old  and  young. 

And  further,  to  do  everything  fitting  and  becoming  a  public,  honest  and  Holy 
Teacher,  for  the  advancement  of  Divine  service  and  church  exercise  among  the 
young  and  old. 

And,  in  case  his  Reverence  should  take  any  of  the  Heathen  children  there  to 
board  and  to  educate,  he  shall  be  indemnified  therefor  as  the  Commissioners  there 
shall  think  proper. 

And  he  is  accepted  and  engaged  for  the  period  of  three  years,  commencing  when 
his  Reverence  shall  have  arrived  thither  in  the  Colonie  Rensselaerswyck,  in  the 
ship  the  Flower  of  Gelder,  his  passage  and  board  being  free;  and  he  shall  enjoy 
for  his  salary,  yearly,  the  sum  of  eight  hundred  guilders,  which  shall  be  paid  to 
his  Reverence  there  through  the  Patroon's  and  Co-directors'  Commissioners;  and 
in  case  of  prolongation,  the  salary  and  allowance  shall  be  increased  in  such  manner 
as  the  parties  there  shall  mutually  agree  upon. 


1652 


310  Ecclesiastical  Records 

And  as  a  donation,  and  in  confirmation  of  tiis  reciprocal  engagement,  one  hundred 
guilders  are  now  presented  to  the  Domine. 

And  in  addition,  the  sum  of  three  hundred  guilders  to  be  deducted  from  the  first 
earned  wages  in  the  Colonie,  which  moneys  he  hereby  doth  acknowledge  to  have 
received,  acquitting  thereof  the  Patroon  and  Co-directors. 

Finally,  should  the  Domine  require  any  money  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred 
guilders  to  be  paid  yearly  here,  and  to  be  deducted  there,  the  said  payment,  on 
advice  from  the  Commissaries  there,  shall  be  made  here  to  the  order  of  the 
aforesaid  Domine. 

Whereupon,  the  call,  acceptance,  and  agreement  are  concluded,  each  promising 
on  his  side  with  God's  help  to  observe  and  follow  the  same,  which  each  has 
promised,  and  in  testimony  thereof  have  both  signed  this.  In  Amsterdam,  this 
eighth  of  May  XVI  hundred  two  and  fifty.  Was  subscribed,  Johan  van  Rensselaer, 
Toussaint  Mussart,  for  the  Co-directors;  Gideon  Schaets,  called  minister  to  Rens- 
selaerswyck.  Under  which  stood,  Concordat  haec  copia  cum  suo  originali  quod 
attestor,  and  was  subscribed,  J.  van  de  Ven,  Not.  pub. 

After  collation,  the  above  was  found  to  agree  wuth  the  copy  of  the  original, 
which  witnesseth 

D.  V.  Hamel,  Secretarius  of  the  Colonie  Rensselaerswyck. —  O'Callaghan's  His- 
tory of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  11.,  567. 


Instructions  of  Patroon  Van  Rensselaer,  Concerning  Re- 
ligion. 

1652. 

Jan  Baptiste  van  Rensselaer  succeeded  Van  Slechtenhorst  as  Director,  and  Garrit 
Swart  was  appointed  Sheriff  or  Schout-fiscaal  of  Rensselaerswyck  in  his  place. 
Provision  was  made  at  the  same  time  for  the  regular  preaching  of  the  Gospel, 
and  the  conversion  of  the  heathen,  by  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats 
as  minister  of  the  colony,  at  a  salary  of  eight  hundred  guilders,  or  three  hundred 
and  twenty  dollars  per  annum.  This  stipend  was  afterwards  raised  to  one  thou- 
sand, and  then  to  thirteen  hundred  guilders. 

*  1652,  May  8, 

Instructions  drawn  up  by  Johan  van  Rensselaer,  Patroon  and  Co-director  of  the 
colonie  called  Rensselaerswyck,  for  Gerrit  Swart  as  OflScer  of  the  said  Colonie, 
according  to  which  he  shall,   in  all  good  faith,  regulate  himself. 

Having  arrived  with  God's  help  at  the  Island  of  Manhattan,  he  shall  proceed  by 
the  first  opportunity  to  the  Colonie,  and  report  himself  to  Jan  Baptist  van  Rens- 
selaer, and  make  known  unto  him  his  quality,  by  exhibition  of  his  Commission  and 
Instructions. 

He  shall,  above  all  things,  take  care  that  Divine  worship  shall  be  maintained  in 
said  Colonie,  conformably  to  the  Reformed  Religion  of  this  country,  as  the  same 
is  publicly  taught  in  these  United  Provinces. 

He  shall,  in  like  manner,  pay  attention  that  the  Lord's  day,  the  Sabbath  of  the 
New  Testament,  be  properly  respected  both  by  the  observance  of  hearing  the  Holy 
Word,  as  well  as  the  preventing  all  unnecessary  and  daily  labor  on  said  day. 

And  whereas,  it  is  a  scandal,  that  the  Christians  should  mingle  themselves  un- 
lawfully with  the  wives  or  daughters  of  Heathens,  the  Officer  shall  labor  to  put 
in  execution  the  placards  and  ordinances  enacted  or  to  be  enacted  against  the 
same,  and  strictly  enact  the  fines  imposed  thereby,  without  any  dissimulation. — 
O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  ii.,  184,  565. 


OF  THE  State  of  !N^ew  York.  311 

The  Mirage  SEEig",  During  the  JSTegotiations  Between  the 
Kepublics  of  England  and  Holland,  May  29,  1652. 

;;.j'.Vpi^;--i    !        '  1652, 

Whilst  these  negotiations  were  going  on,  "  signs  and  wonders  In  the  heavens  " 
portended  the  approach  of  events  which  were  about  to  convulse  the  world.  Hostile 
fleets  appeared  over  the  horizon  drawn  up  in  hostile  array,  and  next  engaged  in 
close  combat,  to  the  great  terror  and  astonishment  of  the  humble  fishermen  who 
witnessed  the  phenomenon,  whilst  pursuing  their  laborious  vocations  off  the  coast 
of  Holland.  Men's  minds  had  hardly  ceased  to  dwell  on  this  singular  apparition,* 
when  intelligence  arrived  that  in  vindication  of  the  Dutch  flag  and  the  freedom  of 
the  seas,  an  engagement  had  taken  place  in  the  straits  of  Dover,  between  the 
Dutch  and  English  fleets,  the  former  under  Van  Tromp,  and  the  latter  under  Blake. 

Synod  of  North  Holland,  at  Amsterdam. 
Art.  29.     Ecclesiastical  Changes. 

1652,  Aug.  12  et  seq. 


1652 


(Here  follows  the  names  of  the  ministers  who  have  died  in  the 
East  Indies,  or  were  sent  thither,  or  have  returned  thence :) 

Sent  thither:     Rev.  John  Backerus. 

Sent  to  'New  !N'ethetland :  To  Amsterdam,  Rev.  Samuel  Dries 
(Drisius). 

To  Rensselaerwyck,  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats. 

II 

*  The  following  account  of  this  singular  mirage,  is  taken  from  Aitz.  ill.,  710. 
'*  With  the  rising  of  the  sun,  the  pilot  first  perceived  an  appearance  like  that  of  a 
table-land  about  a  man's  height  above  the  horizon.  A  large  body  of  foot  soldiers 
and  cavalry  seemed  to  him  coming  from  out  of  the  north,  or  noth-east.  At  sight  of 
this  he  called  his  crew  and  boys,  saying.  Remark  this  miracle  of  God.  The  whole 
then  in  appearance  vanished.  Next  appeared  a  fleet  of  ships  against  the  clear  sky, 
on  the  same  side,  coming  fi-om  the  north,  some  the  mainsail  half  up,  others  in  full 
sail,  others  reefed;  amongst  the  rest  was  a  large  ship  which  immediately  lost  its 
topmast,  but  shortly  afterwards  another  was  rigged.  This  ship  seemed  so  near, 
that  its  flag  lay  over  our  vessel.  It  was  a  flag  of  three  colors,  or  a  prince's  flag. 
Shortly  after  a  powerful  fleet  of  various  sizes  appeared  at  the  same  height,  coming 
from  the  south-east.  Both  fleets  seemed  sailing  towards  each  other.  Coming  to- 
gether, a  thick  mist-like  smoke  arose,  as  if  they  were  fighting  one  against  the  other, 
which  clouded  the  phenomenon.  This  dark  mist  aft;^rw,-irds  disajipeared,  find  then 
The  first  vessels  were  again  seen  so  clear  and  perfect,  that  all  their  cordage  and 
blocks  could  be  perceived.  This  lasted  an  hour.  Afterwards  all  the  vessels  disap- 
peared as  if  they  had  sunk.  But  a  little  farther  away,  all  the  ships  again  showed 
themselves  so  clear,  yea,  so  perfect  in  all  respects,  that  it  seemed  as  if  they  should 
heave  on  our  board.  Then  appeared  a  great  armed  ship  that  seemed  to  touch  the 
ground,  and  lay  with  its  head  in  the  water,  but  the  stern  stuck  in  the  air,  and 
another  ship  seemed  to  sail  by.  This  sight  continued  during  three  hours,  and  created 
such  terror  among  the  crew,  that  they  could  not  eat,  they  were  so  much  frightened; 
so  that  the  steersman  took  a  book  in  his  hand,  called  the  Christian  Sea  Cuart,  and 
began  to  read  from  it,  for  the  encouragement  of  himself  and  men.  In  the  east-north- 
east appeared  a  great  lion,  remaining  on  the  north  side  of  the  vessels.  About  the 
same  quarter  appeared  some  strange  beasts,  all  of  which  turned  into  ships.  But 
though  the  ships  tacked  or  turned,  the  lion  kept  steady  to  the  north,  and  so  re- 
mained during  the  whole  sight,  about  two  or  three  hours."  This  mirage  appeared 
about  the  White  Water,  twelve  (Dutch)  miles  off  the  Waal.  The  weather  was  clear 
sunshine,  and  the  particulars  are  attested  by  the  whole  of  the  crew. —  O'Callaghan's 
History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  ii.  202.  203. 


1652 


312  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Article  34. 

Page  16  —  Regarding  Article  27,  (1651)^  concerning  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Grasmeer:  The  Rev.  Synod  having  understood  the  pro- 
cedures and  Acts  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alkmaer,  with  reference 
to  the  said  Grasmeer,  who  has  now  arrived  in  the  Fatherland, 
from  I^Tew  i^Tetherland ;  and  considering  especially  how  he  has 
been  reconciled  on  certain  conditions  with  the  said  Classis:  and 
the  Rev.  Synod  observing  from  the  foregoing  Acta  of  the  Synod 
at  Alkmaer  Anno  1650,  Art.  46,  that  his  person  and  case  werei 
referred  to  Synod:  Resolves  to  summon  Rev.  Grasmeer,  who  is 
now  abiding  at  Hoorn,  to  appear  at  Amsterdam  on  Monday  next, 
August  19,  in  order  that  the  Rev.  Synod  —  before  which  he  will 
have  to  appear  —  may  decide  as  to  the  propriety  of  his  admission 
to  the  ministry  of  the  churches,  which  has  been  already  granted 
to  him  by  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alkmaer:  even  as  heretofore  it  de- 
cided in  regard  to  his  deposition  effected  by  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Alkmaer,  and  which  was  referred  by  and  thro  the  same  Classis 
to  the  Rev.  Synod. 

Article  39. 

Rev.  William  Grasmeer  appeared.  It  was  proposed  to  him  — 
whether  indeed  he  had  true  sorrow  and  repentance  for  his  sins, 
and  for  the  painful  scandals  which  had  been  brought  on  God's 
Church,  and  for  which  he  had  been  lawfully  deposed.  His  mis- 
deeds and  offences  were  placed  duly  before  him  by  the  Rev. 
President.  He  did  in  part,  deny  them  in  the  face  of  all  the  facts ; 
and  as  for  the  rest,  he  covered  them  up  with  groundless  excuses, 
evasions,  and  glossings  over;  and  on  the  whole  made  so  meager 
and  hesitating  a  confession,  that  the  Rev.  Synod  resolved  that  he 
should  have  time  for  further  reflection;  with  the  admonition  to 
confess  his  sins  unfeignedly  and  without  any  reservation;  and  to 
promise  in  this  Synod,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  to  conduct 
himself  in  the  future  as  his  Christian  profession  and  the  sacred 
ministry  demands. 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  313 

Art.  40.    Rev.  William  Grasmeer. 

Eov.  Grasmeer,  appeared  the  next  day.  Upon  further  reflec- 
tions and  by  a  more  salutary  explanation  of  himself,  he  openly 
confessed  before  the  Synod  that  he  was  rightfully  deposed  by  the 
Rev.  Classis  of  Alkmaer  for  his  scandals  and  sins,  as  specified  in 
Article  46,  of  the  Synod  of  Alkmaer,  in  1650;  and  as  laid  be- 
fore him  by  the  Classis  of  Alkmaer  in  the  reconciliation,  and  as 
here  in  this  Synod  specifically  stated.  He  accordingly  acknowl- 
edged that  the  approval  of  that  deposition  by  the  Synod,  rested 
on  good  grounds.  And  inasmuch  as  he  had  deplored  the  said 
sins  with  all  sincerity  before  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alkmaer; 
and  had  protested  that  they  grieved  him  from  the  heart;  and 
thereupon  had  been  reconciled  with  that  Classis;  he  now  requests 
that  the  Rev.  Synod  would  ratify  his  readmission  to  the  ministry, 
already  granted  him  by  the  Classis,  on  the  strength  of  a  hearty 
acknowledgment  of  the  said  sins.  He  also  promised  that  he  would 
always  speak  in  honor  of  the  Rev.  Synod  and  the  Rev.  Classis  of 
Alkmaer  in  reference  to  the  procedures  taken  against  him,  and 
that  henceforth  he  would  conduct  himself  as  becomes  a  pious  and 
godly  minister,  walking  worthy  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  sacred 
ministry.  The  Christian  Synod  having  heard  this  later  and  specific 
confession  of  his  sins,  his  promise  of  improvement;  and  also  from 
the  brethren  at  Hoorn,  where  he  is  stopping,  that  he  has  conducted 
himself  properly  since  his  reconciliation  with  the  Classis  of  Alk- 
maer so  far  as  they  know;  concludes  that  the  said  Rev.  Grasmeer 
be  placed  again  in  a  condition  to  receive  a  call;  and  consequently 
give  him  permission  publicly  to  preach  before  the  people  wher- 
ever he  is  lawfully  invited,  and  can  be  heard  to  edification,  in  con- 
formity with  the  resolution  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Alkmaer  which 
was  now  publicly  read.  For  this  Rev.  Grasmeer  thanked  the 
Synod,  after  an  earnest  address  made  to  him  by  the  President. 


1652 


1652 


314  Ecclesiastical  Records 


Founding  of  ISTewtowx  and  Flatbush,  L.  I. 

1G52. 

Two  settlements  were  commenced  on  Long  Island  in  the  course  of  this  year.  One 
of  these  was  located  Immediately  east  of  the  old  established  plantation  of  Mespath, 
in  contradistinction  to  which,  it  was  familiarly  called  "  the  New  Town,"  though  its 
legal  appellation  was  Middleburg.  The  ludian  title  to  the  lands  composing  the 
town  was  not  extinguished  until  some  years  subsequent  to  this  date.  A  church  was 
erected  here  previous  to  1655. 

The  other  was  situate  in  the  "  Vlacke-bos,"  or  Flatbush,  between  Breukelen  and 
Amersfoort,  and  received  from  Director  Stuyvesant  the  name  of  Middelwout. 
Though  endowed,  at  its  foundation,  with  over  a  dozen  parcels  of  land  for  the  sup- 
port of  religion  and  schools,  its  progress  was  much  impeded  in  its  infancy.  The 
Indians  had  not  been  paid  for  their  property,  and  in  their  displeasure  threatened 
to  burn  the  bouweries  of  the  early  pioneers.  Payment  was  promised,  "  but  nothing 
came  of  it."  The  inhabitants  continued  in  constant  danger,  and  "  the  village  did 
not  thrive."  These  and  other  difficulties  about  Indian  claims,  superadded  to  the 
war  with  England,  produced  a  good  deal  of  confusion  and  discontent,  and  laid  the 
foundation  of  another  appeal  ere  long  to  the  authorities  in  Holland. —  O'Callaghan's 
History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  ii.  194-195. 

Court  Minutes  of  ^ew  Amsterdam  —  Prayer  at  the  Open- 
ing OF  THE  Court. 

Feb.  6;  1653. 

The  first  entry  in  the  records  of  the  magistrates  of  this  city  is  a  prayer,  which, 
having  been  inserted  at  length  in  their  minutes,  is  supposed  to  have  been  designed 
by  them  to  go  down  to  posterity,  and  is  therefore  given  in  full: 

"  O  God  of  Gods,  and  Lord  of  Lords,  Heavenly  and  most  Merciful  Father!  We 
thank  thee  that  thou  hast  not  only  created  us  in  thine  own  image,  but  that  thou 
hast  received  us  as  thy  children  and  guests  when  we  were  lost;  and  in  addition  to 
all  this,  it  has  pleased  thee  to  place  us  in  the  government  of  thy  people  in  this 
place. 

"  O  Lord,  our  God,  we,  thy  wretched  creatures,  acknowledge  that  we  are  not 
worthy  of  this  honor,  and  that  we  have  neither  strength  nor  sufficiency  to  discharge 
the  trust  committed  to  us,  without  thine  assistance. 

"  We  beseech  thee,  O  fountain  of  all  good  gifts,  qualify  us  by  thy  grace,  that 
we  may,  with  fidelity  and  righteousness,  serve  in  our  respective  offices.  To  this  end 
enlighten  our  darkened  understandings,  that  we  may  be  able  to  distinguish  the 
right  from  the  wrong;  the  truth  from  falsehood,  and  that  we  may  give  pure  and 
uncorrupted  decisions;  having  an  eye  upon  thy  word,  a  sure  guide,  giving  to  the 
simple  wisdom  and  knowledge.  Let  thy  law  be  a  light  unto  our  feet  and  a  lamp 
to  our  path,  so  that  we  may  never  turn  away  from  the  path  of  righteousness. 
Deeply  impress  on  all  our  minds  that  we  are  not  accountable  unto  men  but  unto 
God,  who  seeth  and  heareth  all  things.  Let  all  respect  of  persons  be  far  removed 
from  us,  that  we  may  award  justice  unto  the  rich  and  the  poor,  unto  friends  and 
enemies  alike;  to  residents  and  to  strangers,  according  to  the  law  of  truth;  and 
that  not  one  of  us  may  swerve  therefrom.  And  since  gifts  do  blind  the  eyes  of 
the  wise,  and  destroy  the  heart,  therefore  keep  our  hearts  aright.  Grant  unto  us, 
also,  that  we  may  not  rashly  prejudge  any  one,  without  a  fair  hearing,  but  that 
we  patiently  hear  the  parties,  and  give  them  time  and  opportunity  for  defending 
themselves;  in  all  things  looking  up  to  thee  and  to  thy  word  for  counsel  and 
direction. 

"  Graciously  incline  our  hearts,  that  we  exercise  the  power  which  thou  hast  given 
us,  to  the  general  good  of  the  community,  and  to  the  maintenance  of  the  church, 
that  we  may  be  praised  by  them  that  do  well,  and  a  terror  to  evil-doers. 


OF  THE  State  of  jSTew  York.  315 

"  Incline,  also,  the  hearts  of  the  subjects  unto  due  obedience,  so  that  through 
their  respect  and  obedience  our  burdens  may  be  made  the  lighter. 

"  Thou  knowest.  Oh  Lord,  that  the  wicked  and  ungodly  do  generally  contemn  and 
transgress  thine  ordinances,  therefore  clothe  us  with  strength,  courage,  fortitude 
and  promptitude,  that  we  may,  with  proper  earnestness  and  zeal,  be  steadfast  unto 
the  death  against  all  sinners  and  evil-doers. 

"  Oh,  good  and  gracious  God,  command  thy  blessing  upon  all  our  adopted  resolu- 
tions, that  they  may  be  rendered  effectual,  and  redound  to  the  honor  of  thy  great 
and  holy  name,  to  the  greatest  good  of  the  trusts  committed  to  us  and  to  our 
salvation. 

"  Hear  and  answer  us,  Oh  gracious  God,  in  these  our  petitions,  and  in  all  that 
thou  seest  we  need,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ  thy  beloved  son,  in  whose 
name  we  conclude  our  prayer." — "Valentine's  New  York,  pp.  55,  56,  57. 

Another  Translation  in  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  i,  48,  49. 

Father  Poncet's  Capture. —  Visits  Fort  Orange. —  Keturns 

TO  Quebec,  1653,  Aug.-Oct. 

War  now  interrupted  all  peaceful  relations  between  the  French 
and  the  Iroquois,  and  the  persecution  ceased  in  the  Mohawk 
country  solely  through  lack  of  fuel,  when  the  savages  of  that 
quarter  made  another  incursion  into  the  heart  of  Canada,  and 
captured  Father  Joseph  Poncet,  Aug.  20,  1653,  who  happened 
to  be  abroad  "  endeavoring  to  get  some  persons  to  cut  the  harvest 
of  a  poor  widow."  Hurrying  the  Missionary  away,  with  other 
unfortunate  persons  who  fell  into  their  hands,  they  stripped  the 
captives  and  forced  them  to  run  the  gauntlet  through  half  a  hun- 
dred armed  savages,  then  mounted  them  on  a  lofty  scaffold  and 
obliged  them  to  sing.  Yet  uncertain  of  his  fate,  a  woman  asked 
that  her  child  be  permitted  to  cut  off  one  of  the  Father's  fingers. 
The  favor  was  granted,  and  whilst  the  young  barbarian  was  prac- 
ticing this  early  lesson  in  cimelty,  Poncet  manifested  his  resigna- 
tion by  chanting  sacred  songs.  For  two  days  and  three  nights  was 
he  doomed  to  additional  tortures,  whilst  one  of  his  companions 
wsiS  roasted  alive  before  his  eyes,  Sept.  8,  1653.  But  Providence 
abandoned  not  its  servants.  He  was  adopted  by  an  old  crone  be- 
longing to  one  of  the  castles,  and  a  messenger  arrived  a  few  days 
after  with  intelligence  that  their  warriors  were  on  the  eve  of 
concluding  a  peace  with  the  Governor  of  Canada,  who  insisted  as 
a  preliminary  that  "  the  black  gown  "  should  be  restored.  Father 
Poncet  now  found  his  situation  wonderfully  improved.     He  was 


1653 


1653 


316  Ecclesiastical  Records 

immediately  conveyed  to  Fort  Orange  to  be  supplied  with  cloth- 
ing and  proper  surgical  attendance.  Here  he  was  presented  to 
Commissary  Dyckman,  Sept.  20,  1653,  who,  notmthstanding  M. 
de  Lauzon,  the  French  Governor,  had  ^vritten  recommending  the 
Father  to  that  officer's  attention,  received  him  coldly;  and  he 
was  about  to  lie  down  supperless  on  the  bare  boards,  having  no 
bed,  when  ^'  a  worthy  old  Walloon  "  in^dted  him  into  his  house 
and  treated  him  with  the  kindest  hospitality.  Other  settlers  fur- 
nished him  with  clothes,  whilst  a  Scotch  matron,  "  who  was  al- 
ways kind  to  the  French,"  sent  a  surgeon  to  dress  his  wounds. 
During  his  sojourn,  Poncet  was  still  alive  to  the  duties  of  his  call- 
ing. Having  discovered  two  Catholics  among  the  settlers  —  one 
a  Brussels  merchant,  the  other  a  young  Frenchman  who  acted  as 
interpreter  to  the  settlement  —  he  administered  to  them  the  con- 
solations of  religion,  and  then  prepared  for  his  retuiTi.  On  the 
day  of  his  departure,  his  generous  Dlitch  friends  crowded  around 
him  with  presents,  and  expressed  the  warmest  regret  at  his  leav- 
ing them.  He  cheered  them  with  the  promise  that  he  should  re^ 
turn  again  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  summer,  and  consented 
to  accept  only  an  overcoat,  a  pair  of  moccassins,  and  a  pair  of 
shoes,  with  a  blanket  "  to  serve  him  as  a  bed  on  the  road."  A 
few  fish  were  all  his  stock  of  provisions,  and  with  these  he  set 
out  for  home,  where  he  arrived  in  the  course  of  the  following 
month,  Oct.  3,  1653.  His  journey  to  the  Mohawk  countiy  had 
been  by  the  Richelieu  River  and  Lake  Champlain.  On  his  re- 
turn he  was  conducted  by  way  of  the  Oswego  to  Lake  Ontario, 
and  thence  do^\m  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Quebec.  It  is  more  than 
probable  he  was  the  first  white  man  that  traversed  that  region. 
A  peace  was  now  solemnly  concluded  between  the  Mohawks  and 
the  French,  the  latter  leaving  two  of  their  countrymen  hostages 
for  its  faithful  observance. 


OF  THE  State  of  ITew  York.  317 

1653 

Classis  of  Amsteedam. 

Correspondence    from  America. —  There  is  an  abstract  of     this 
letter  in  VoL  26,  p.  146,  made  by  the  Deputies. 

Eevs.  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 

Oct.  6,  1653. 

Reverend,  Pious  and  Learned  Fathers  in  Christ: — 

We  acknowledge  with  grateful  hearts  the  favor  of  God,  the 
good  will  of  the  Directors,  and  the  zealous  care  of  your  Reverend 
body,  for  the  defence,  and  maintenance  of  the  Reformed  Religion 
in  this  foreign  land,  which  is  under  the  privileged  government 
of  the  Honorable  Company,  and  which  has  obligated  the  Governor 
by  oath,  in  their  commission  to  him,  to  permit  no  other  religion 
than  the  Reformed. 

We  have  hitherto  enjoyed  the  full  benefit  of  our  religion  in 
this  province.  But  recently,  on  the  4th  of  October  last,  it  hap- 
pened that  certain  Lutheran  residents  here,  prepared  and  pre- 
sented a  certain  request  to  our  Governor,  (asking  for)  permis- 
sion to  call  a  Lutheran  Minister  out  of  Holland,  and  also  to  or- 
ganize separately  and  publicly  a  congregation  and  church.  This 
would  tend  to  the  injury  of  our  church,  the  diminution  of  hearers 
of  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  increase  of  dissensions,  of  which 
we  have  had  a  sufficiency  for  years  past.  It  would  also  pave  the 
way  for  other  sects,  so  that  in  time  our  place  would  become  a 
receptacle  for  all  sorts  of  heretics  and  fanatics. 

Observe  that  these  petitioners  have  not  only  twice  before  made 
this  request  of  our  Governor,  but  have  also  addressed  letters  to 
their  Hight  Mightinesses,  the  States  of  Holland,  and  to  the  Hon. 
Directors  of  the  West  India  Company.  Therefore  it  is  our  humble 
and  earnest  request,  that  your  Rev.  body  will  use  your  influence 
with  the  Hon.  Directors,  of  the  Company,  that  they  may  so  pro- 
vide and  determine,  that  the  project  of  our  Lutheran  friends  may 
be  rejected,  and  thus  the  welfare,  prosperity  and  edification  of 
the  church  in  this  place,  may  be  promoted.     For  as  long  as  no 


1653 


318  Ecclesiastical  Records 

other  religion  than  the  Eeforined  has  been  publicly  allowed,  all 
who  wish  to  engage  in  pnblic  worship  come  to  our  service.  Bv 
this  means  it  has  happened  that  several,  among  whom  are  some 
of  the  principal  Lutherans,  have  made  a  profession  of  religion, 
and  united  with  us  in  the  Lord's  Supper.  We  have  communicated 
these  matters  to  the  Hon.  Directors  (Hecren  majores),  in  whom 
we  have  the  greatest  confidence,  but  we  request  your  Rev.  body 
occasionally  to  refresh  their  memories,  lest  through  want  of  proper 
attention  to  the  subject,  the  requested  permission  should  be  given. 

Our  Governor  here  is  zealous  for  the  Reformed  Religion,  and 
would  rather  relinquish  his  office  than  grant  permission  in  this 
matter,  since  it  is  contrary  to  the  first  article  of  his  commission, 
which  was  confiimed  by  him  with  an  oath,  not  to  permit  any  other 
than  the  Reformed  doctrine. 

Finally,  we  commend  your  Rev.  body  to  the  gi'acious  protection 
of  the  Most  High,  whose  blessing  both  you  and  we  need  for  suc- 
cess in  our  sacred  office. 

Your  Reverences'  Obedient, 

Johannes  Megapolensis,  Y.  D.  M. 
!N'ew  Amsterdam,  Samuel  Drisius,  V.  D.  M. 

7  / 

Oct.  6,  1653. 
Deduction  IIade  by  the  Directob  Ge^steeal  ais'd  Cou]S"cil,  Re- 

GAEDIJSTG     THE     ReMOK"STEAjN^CE     OF     THE     IItH     OF     DECEMBER 
(1653,   SlGIiTED  BY  THE  BuRGOMASTERS  AND   SCHEPEIS'S  OF  ThIS 

City  and  Some  Englishmen. 


The  third  point. 

The  English  do  not  only  enjoy  the  right  of  nominating  their  own  Magistrates, 
but  some  of  them  also  usurp  the  election  and  appointment  of  such  Magistrates,  as 
they  please,  without  regard  to  their  religion.  Some,  especially  the  people  of 
Gravesend,  elect  libertines  and  Anabaptists,  which  is  decidedly  against  the  laws  of 
the  Netherlands.*—  Col.   Docs.   N.  Y.  xiv.  233,  235. 

*  The  West  India  Company  had  begun  to  become  alarmed  at  dangers  which 
threatened  New  Netherland  from  New  England.  The  boundary  line  was  in  dispute. 
Stuyvesant  was  compelled,  though  unwillingly,  to  listen  to  the  advice  of  the  prin- 
cipal citizens,  and  give  up  part  of  the  revenue  from  the  excise,  but  insisted  that 
the  city  government  should  support  the  two  clergymen,  the  schoolmasters  and  the 
secretary.  But  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  demanded  that  the  whole  city  reve- 
nue should  be  surrendered  into  their  hands,  or  they  would  resign.  After  much 
debate,  Stuyvesant  surrendered  to  them  the  excise  on  liquor  upon  condition  that 
the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  should  furnish  subsidies  for  the  maintenance  of 
the  City  work,  and  for  civil  and  ecclesiastical  affairs. —  Brodhead's  N.  Y.  i,   567-8. 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  310 

Commission  of  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  as  Diplomatic  Agent  to 

BE  Sent  to  Virginia. 

Petrus  Stuyvosant,  on  behalf  of  their  Noble  High  Mightinesses,  the  Lorfls-States- 
General  of  the  United  Netherlands,  and  the  Noble  Lords-Directors  of  the  Privi- 
leged West  India  Company,  Director-General  of  New  Netherland,  Curacao, 
Bonayro,  Aruba  and  dependencies,  with  the  High  Council;  December  16,  1653. 

To  all  who  may  read  this,  or  hear  it  read.  Greeting: 

Know  ye,  that  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  a  general  peace  and  the  welfare  of 
both  nations,  we  have  in  May  last  past  deputed,  commissioned  and  sent  our  extra- 
ordinary agents,  the  Honorable  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven,  Councillor  and  Fiscal  of 
New  Netherland,  and  Arent  van  Hattem,  Burgomaster  of  this  City,  to  the  Very 
Honorable  Richard  Bennett,  Governor  and  Captain  General  of  Virginia  and  his 
Council  of  State,  in  order  to  covenant  and  conclude  with  them  a  close  and  firm 
alliance,  correspondence  and  commerce  between  their  and  this  our  Government, 
without  regard  to  the  undesired  and  unexpected  bloody  differences,  arisen  to  our 
great  regret  between  their  and  our  nation  in  Europe,  as  their  credentials  and  com- 
missions have  further  informed  the  said  Honorable  Governor  and  Council.  How- 
ever the  said  Honorable  Governor,  and  the  Council  of  State  in  Virginia,  found 
themselves  at  that  time  unauthorized,  to  give  a  conclusive  answer  to  the  proposi- 
tions made  by  our  then  agents,  before  they,  as  they  honestly  and  frankly  stated  in 
their  reply,  had  first  submitted  them  to,  and  advised  thereupon  with  their  superiors, 
the  Government  of  England,  which  they  intended  and  agreed  to  do  by  the  first 
opportunity.  If  this  has  been  done  agreeably  to  their  sincere  intention,  we  trust, 
that  the  said  Honorable  Governor  and  Council  of  State  received  some  time  ago  an 
answer  from  their  superiors,  or  may  be  in  daily  expectation  of  it. 

Therefore  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  have  resolved,  for 
the  promotion  of  so  laudable  an  object  as  the  continuation  of  peace,  increase  of 
commerce  and  cultivation  of  correspondence  between  such  old  friends,  neighbors 
and  co-religionists  living  in  such  distant  countries,  to  send  once  more  an  authorized 
and  suitable  person  thither,  to  remind  the  said  Honorable  Governor  and  Council  of 
Virginia  of  our  former  good  intentions,  which  we  still  have,  and  our  propositions, 
and  to  iearn  their  reply.  We  have  hereto  requested,  also  authorized  and  commis- 
sioned, the  Reverend  and  Very  Learned  Mr.  Samuel  Driesius,  Minister  of  tlie  Gospel 
in  the  City  of  New  Amsterdam;  and,  fully  relying  upon  his  ability,  wisdom  and 
experience,  we  have  directed  him,  as  by  this  our  open  letter  and  commission  we 
direct  and  empower  him,  to  go  to  Virginia  and  address  himself  there  to  the  said 
Honorable  Governor,  Richard  Bennett,  and  his  Council,  in  order  to  receive,  in  his 
quality  as  our  embassador,  from  the  said  Governor  and  Council,  an  answer  to  aur 
former  propositions,  and  to  learn  what  reply  was  given  by  their  superiors  upon  the 
matter  submitted.  If  the  said  Honorable  Governor  and  Council  should  not  yet  have 
received  it,  then  he  is  to  propose  and  ask  for  a  provisional  continuation  of  the  com- 
merce and  intercourse  between  the  two  places,  a  free  pass  or  safeguard,  signed  by 
the  Honorable  Governor,  for  some  of  their  merchants  and  yachts,  to  pay  and  col- 
lect debts  among  inhabitants  of  Virginia;  as  we  on  our  side  have  given  and  are  still 
willing  to  give,  passes  to  come  and  go,  to  the  ships  and  yachts  coming  to  us  from 
Virginia.  All  this  to  be  only  provisionally,  until  on  either  side  we  shall  have  re- 
ceived orders  to  the  contrary  from  our  superiors,  and  countermanded  the  provisional 
passes,  of  which  such  ships  and  yachts  might  be  informed  six  or  eight  days  before- 
hand; that  thus  private  losses,  general  injury  and  further  differences  between  na- 
tion and  nation  might  be  prevented.  If  this  cannot  be  obtained,  then  he  shall  ask 
for  a  free  pass  for  one  ship  to  bring  back  our  envoy  free  and  unmolested  by  the 
Parliament  ships. 


1653 


320  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1653 

We  further  promise  by  this  our  open  letter  and  commission,  to  ratify  and  carry 
out  all  that  may  be  covenanted  and  concluded  in  this  matter  between  the  said 
Honorable  Governor,  his  Council,  and  our  present  envoy,  Domine  Samuel  Drisius. 

Done  at  New  Amsterdam  in  New  Netheriand,  the  16th  of  December  1653. 

P.   Stuyvesant. 
By  order. 

Cornells  van  Ruyven, 

Secretary.  —  Col.    Docs.    N.    Y.    xiv.    241,    242. 

1653. 

n 

At  the  close  of  this  year,  "  the  Reverend  and  very  learned  Samuel  Drisius,  min- 
ister of  the  Gospel  in  the  city  of  New  Amsterdam,"  was  sent  to  renew  the  former 
proposals  to  Gov.  Bennett,  and  to  conclude  with  him  a  commercial  treaty,  including 
a  power  to  the  merchants  of  New  Netheriand  to  collect  debts  due  them  in  Virginia. 
Should  these  be  accepted,  the  Director  General  pledged  himself  to  ratify  whatever 
his  plenipotentiary  might  agree  to,  provided,  however,  that  six  or  eight  days  notice 
may  be  given  of  any  intention  to  revoke  such  agreement  as  may  be  concluded,  "  so 
as  to  prevent  losses  and  animosities  between  nation  and  nation."  This  mission 
proved  entirely  successful.* —  O'Callaghan,  ii.  235. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 
1654  1654^  Jan.  1st. 

Request  to  tlie  Hon.  XIX,  to  prevent  Lutheran  Preaching  and 
Public  Assemblies  in  New  N^etherland,  with  Answer  thereto. 

Concerning  the  complaint  of  the  church  in  !New  l^etherland: 
The  Lutherans  there  have  desired  to  call  a  pastor  from  Holland, 
and  organize  public  assemblies,  (congregations.)  Thej  have  re- 
quested consent  thereto  by  letters  to  the  Hon.  XIX,  as  also  to 
the  Hon.  States  of  Holland,  as  appears  from  the  extracts,  (folio 
146)  of  their  letter  sent  to  our  Classis.  They  request  that  our 
Classis  would  help  to  prevent  this,  with  all  earnestness,  before 
the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  as  it  would  be  a 
circumstance  very  injurious  to  the  Reformed  doctrine  there. 

This  complaint  was  presented  by  the  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas 
to  the  Hon.  Directors.  They  have  responded  that  they  were  in- 
clined to  oppose  the  plan  of  the  Lutherans;  that  they,  with  the 
church  in  E'ew  ISTetherland,  believe  that  such  permission  would 
be  very  injurious.  They  also  declare  their  fear  that  other  evil 
consequences  might  result;  that  the  Mennonites,  as  well  as  the 


*  Domine  Drisius's  commission  is  in  Alb.  Rec.  ix,,  59.  It  embodies  the  statements 
in  the  text.  It  is  rather  singular  that  none  of  the  historians  of  Virginia,  (at  least, 
so  far  as  our  research  has  gone,)  gives  any  particulars  of  these  early  embassies. 


OF  THE  State  of  !N'ew  Yoke.  321 

English  Independents,  who  are  numerous  there,  might  seek  to 
introduce  like  public  assemblies. 

And  as  the  Deputies  represented  that  the  Lutherans  had  not 
only  made  known  their  request  to  the  Hon.  Directors,  but  also 
to  the  Hon.  States  of  Holland,  and  that  it  was  to  be  feared  that 
they  might  grant  their  petition;  they  reply  thereto,  that  they 
would  take  care  in  this  matter ;  that  in  case  the  Hon.  States  should 
hicline  thereto,  they  would  give  opposing  reasons;  that  they  would 
bind  themselves  to  resist  the  request  of  the  Lutherans,  and  would 
notify  the  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas,  that  they  might  transmit  (such 
information)  to  the  church  in  'New  N^etherland,  in  the  city  of  ^ew 
Amsterdam. —  xxvi.  148. 

Father  Le  Moyne,  Feb.  6,-Aug.  16,  1654.    Discovers  the  Salt 

Springs. 

The  friendship  exhibited  at  this  period  by  the  savages  covered,  however,  a  deeper 
policy  than  the  mere  desire  for  peace.  Their  continual  wars  had  thinned  their 
ranks,  and  they  were  desirous  to  obtain  the  removal  of  the  Hurons  to  their  country 
to  supply  the  places  of  those  they  had  lost.  This  motive  alone  had  induced  them 
to  restore  Poncet.  But  this  policy  was  not  confined  to  the  Mohawks.  The  Onon- 
dagoes  had  suffered  also  from  their  contests  with  the  Chats  or  Cat  Indians,  and 
wished  to  embody  the  Hurons  among  their  tribe.  They  were  likewise  anxious  to 
be  independent  of  the  Mohawks,  at  whose  hands  they  experienced  considerable  111 
treatment  in  their  passage  through  the  lower  country  to  the  Dutch.  They  calcu- 
lated that  they  could  secure  this  by  uniting  themselves  more  closely  with  the 
French,  whom  they  wished  to  build  them  a  fort,  where  their  wives  and  children 
might  retire  in  time  of  danger.  To  accomplish  all  these  purposes,  they  now  visited 
Canada,  Feb.  5,  1654,  and  solicited  the  Governor  of  that  country  to  send,  as  a  pre- 
liminary, a  Jesuit  Father  among  them.  Simon  Le  Moyne,  a  missionary  of  much 
experience,  who  had  already  passed  eighteen  years  among  the  Indians,  was  accord- 
ingly allowed  to  accompany  them.  He  had  not  been  gone  many  days,  when  a  depu- 
tation of  the  Kayingehagas,  or  Mohawks  strengthened  with  letters  from  the  Dutch 
of  Beverwyck,  arrived  July  4,  1654,  to  make  a  similar  request.  They  were  exceed- 
ingly disappointed  when  they  learned  that  the  Onondagoes  had  forestalled  them. 
"  We  of  the  Five  Nations  have  but  one  cabin,"  said  their  orator;  "  we  make  but 
one  fire,  and  have  always  dwelt  under  the  same  roof.  Is  It  not  then  by  the  door 
that  the  house  should  be  entered,  and  not  by  the  chimney  and  roof,  unless  you  be 
a  thief  and  desire  to  surprise  the  inmates?  You  do  not  enter  by  the  door,  which 
is  on  the  first  floor.  We,  Mohawks,  are  that  door.  You  enter  by  the  roof  and 
chimney,  for  you  begin  with  the  Onondagoes.  Are  you  not  afraid  that  the  smoke 
will  blind  you,  as  our  fire  is  still  burning?  Do  you  not  fear  to  fall  from  the  top 
to  the  bottom,  having  nothing  solid  to  rest  your  feet  on?  "  Means  were  taken  to 
pacify  them,  and  they  retired  for  a  season  to  their  homes. 

Father  Le  Moyne  was,  meanwhile,  far  on  his  journey  to  the  country  of  the  Onon- 
dagoes. He  sojourned  among  that  tribe  some  ten  days,  and  crowned  his  mission, 
on  the  16th  of  August,  1654,  by  the  discovery  of  the  rich  and  exhaustless  Salt 
Springs  for  which  that  district  has  been  so  long  and  so  justly  celebrated. —  O'Cal- 
laghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  II.  299-303. 

21 


1654 


1654 


322  Ecclesiastical  Records  ; 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1654,  Feb.  23r(i. 

The  request  of  the  church  of  Kew  Amsterdam  in  l^ew  ISTether- 
land,  recorded  on  folio  148,  has  been  granted  bj  the  Hons.  Lords, 
Directors  of  the  West  India  Company.  They  resolved,  Feb.  23, 
1654,  not  to  permit  any  Lutheran  pastors  there,  nor  any  other 
public  worship  than  that  of  the  true  Reformed;  and  to  transmit 
this,  their  resolution,  at  the  first  opportunity  to  their  Governor,, 
and  to  announce  the  same  to  the  Church. 

At  the  same  time  they  declare,  that  if  a  suitable  person  could 
be  found,  willing  to  go  to  Xew  ISTetherland,  and  there  take  charge 
of  public  worship  upon  a  certain  island,*  they  will  also  consent 
thereto,  and  that  they  had  appropriated  six  hundred  guilders  as- 
annual  salary.  They  request  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  look 
about  and  discover  whether  a  suitable  person  could  not  be  found 
for  this  service,  and  to  make  the  same  known  to  them. —  xxvi. 
158. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  Revs.  John  Megapolensis  and 
Samuel  Dries  (Drisius),  Pastors  in  Kew  l^etherland;  written 
and  transmitted  Feb.  26,  1654.  For  resolution  of  the  XIX, 
see  above. —  xxvi.  158. 

Reverend,  Godly,  Highly  Learned,  Brethren : — 

Your  letter  of  Oct.  6,  1653,  came  safely  to  hand.  From  it 
we  learn  with  great  joy  that  God  the  Lord  has  hitherto  blessed 
your  labors  in  his  vineyard,  so  that  the  saving  doctrine  of  the 
Holy  Gospel  grows  and  increases  daily  not  only  among  the  Dutch 
and  other  Europeans,  but  also  among  the  blind  heathen,  whom 
God  has  heretofore  suffered  to  walk  in  their  own  ways  of  errors. 

We  learn  also  from  your  letter  that  the  Lutherans  are  very 
restless;   that   they   hinder   the  pure   doctrine   and   obstruct   its 

(♦  This    reference    is   to    Long    Island,    where    no    Dutch    churches    were    as    yet 
established). 


OF  THE  State  of  !New  York.  32 


o 


1654 


course,  requesting  permission  to  hold  public  divine  services  for 
themselves,  and  to  that  end,  that  they  may  have  a  Lutheran  pas- 
tor from  Holland;  also  that  they  have  transmitted  their  request 
to  the  Hon.  XIX,  and  to  the  States  of  Holland. 

This  grieves  us.  But  you  have  acted  very  well  and  prudently 
in  that  you  have  not  only  attempted  to  hinder  their  purpose 
through  your  Hon.  Governor,  but  have  also  transmitted  to  the 
Hon.  Directors  your  complaint,  (asking  them)  not  to  grant  their 
request.  At  the  same  time  you  have  requested  our  Classis  to 
lend  you  their  helping  hand.  This  we  have  willingly  undertaken. 
We  immediately  charged  our  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  to  make 
known  your  necessary  and  just  request,  with  your  annexed  rea- 
sons, to  the  Hon.  Lords  Directors,  and  to  request  favorable  ac- 
tion thereon.  This  was  done,  and  we  have  received  a  favorable 
answer  concerning  it,  viz.,  that  they  would  consider  the  request, 
which  was  also  made  known  to  them  by  yourselves,  and  would 
reply  to  us.  i 

This  they  have  done.  They  have  notified  us  that  they  have 
refused  the  request  of  the  Lutherans  in  every  particular,  and 
have  resolved  to  tolerate  no  other  (public)  exercise  of  divine 
worship  in  'New  IsTetherland  except  that  of  the  true  Reformed 
Religion.  They  would  also  transmit  their  action  to  their  Gov- 
ernor, by  the  first  vessels,  and  have  the  same  promulgated  there. 
Hence  we  do  not  doubt  but  that  the  Reformed  Doctrines  will 
remain  unembarrassed,  and  be  maintained  without  being  hin- 
dered by  the  Lutherans,  and  other  erring  spirits.  May  the  mer- 
ciful God  grant  to  them  his  grace,  and  graciously  bless  you  and 
your  services,  to  the  honor  of  his  name,  and  the  propagation  of 
the  true  worship. 

Thus  done  at  Amsterdam,  Feb.  26,  (IST.S.)  1654,  in  the  name 
and  by  the  order  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  Written  and 
signed  by 

(In  the  volumes  of  Correspondence  of  the  Classis,  26-32,  the 
names  of  the  writers  are  frequently  omitted). 


1654 


324  ECCLESIASTICAL  Kecokds 

To  send  a  Preacher  to  Xew  Netherland. 

1654,  March  2nd. 

Inasmuch  as  the  Messrs.  Directors  oi  the  Yf  est  India  Com- 
pany ordered  the  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  to  seek  a  candidate 
who  is  willing  to  sail  as  minister  to  Xew  JSTetherland,  and  prom- 
ise to  give  him  a  salary  of  six  hundred  guilders,  ($240.)  and 
some  perquisites  (privileges)  besides,  the  brethren  were  asked  if 
they  happened  to  know  of  any  such  candidate.  Inasmuch 
as  at  present  no  one  was  found,  it  remains  further  recommended 
to  these  Brethren  to  bear  the  subject  in  mind. —  v.  319. 

DiRECTOEs  TO  Stuyvesaxt  I  Chuech  Affaies. 

Honorable,  Worshipful,  Pious,  Dear,  Faithful. 


We  have  decided  absolutely  to  deny  the  request  made  by  some  of  our  Inhabitants, 
adherents  of  the  Augsburg  confession,  for  a  preacher  and  free  exercise  of  their 
religion,  pursuant  to  the  custom  hitherto  observed  by  us  and  the  East  India  Com- 
pany, on  account  of  the  consequences  arising  therefrom;  and  we  recommend  to  you 
also  not  to  receive  any  similar  petitions,  but  rather  to  turn  them  off  in  the  most 
civil  and  least  offensive  way,  and  to  employ  all  possible  but  moderate  means  in 
order  to  Induce  them  to  listen,  and  finally  join  the  Reformed  Church,  and  thus 
live  in  greater  love  and  harmony  among  themselves. 

We  have  been  pleased  to  see  the  zeal  of   several   of  our  Inhabitants  of  a  new 
village  on  Long  Island  for  the  Reformed  religion;  and  that  it  may  not  cool,    we 
have  resolved,   upon  this  representation,  to  contribute,   in  the  beginning,   six  hun- 
dred  florins  yearly,    and   are   looking   about    here   for   a   fit  and   pious  teacher   or 
minister:   we  have   also   notified  the   Reverend   Classis  here,    so  that  you  and  the 
people  may   expect  him   by  the  first  opportunity.     We  are   hereby  reminded,   that 
now  and  then  complaints  are  made  to  us,  of  the  inconveniences  and  troubles    to 
which   Domines  Johannis   Megapolensls  and   Samuel   Drisius   are  unreasonably   ex- 
posed there  by  the  irregular  and  scanty  payment  of  their  respective  salaries.     We 
are   astonished  to   hear,  that   even  the  former  has  to  claim   an   arrear  of   several 
thousand  guilders,  although  you  had  made  a  special  agreement  with  him,  that  his 
salary  should  be  paid  there;  while  the  other  has  been  sent  to  you  on  the  same 
condition:  as  this  has  always  been  your  proposition,   based  upon  so  good  and  fair 
reasons,  and  was  really  necessary,  as  stated  before,  it  surprises  us,   that  you  take 
no   better  care   to  place  these   men   above  want.     To  prevent   this   in   future,    we 
deem   it   requisite  to   charge   you,    herewith,    and    seriously   recommend,    that    you 
satisfy  the  demands  of  these  persons  as  best  you  can,   there,  so  that   no  further 

complaints  are  made  to  us.     March  12,  1654. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  250,  252,  253. 


OF  THE  State  of  [N'ew  York.  .       325 

Classis  of  Amsterdam.         "  i  j;. 

.  Acts  of  the  Deputies. —  William  Vestensz. 

1654,  May  11th. 

Rev.  Wittenwrongel  mentions  that  he  has  received  word,  from 
William  Vestensz,  in  v^hich  he  complains  of  slow  payments.  He 
requests,  through  the  intervention  of  the  Classis,  some  compen- 
sation for  his  four  years'  administration  of  the  office  of  sexton; 
also  that  another  be  sent  in  his  place,  and  he,  upon  his  return,  be 
transferred,  as  Visitor  of  the  Sick,  to  the  East  Indies.  This  is 
referred  to  the  Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas.     xxvi.  169. 

Ministers'  Salaries. 

1654,  June  1. 

Tlie  Fiscal  is  ordered  and  commanded  to  notify  and  inform  Burgomasters  and 
Schepens,  that  the  ministers  have  applied  to  us,  by  petition,  for  their  accrued 
salaries;  and  as  a  half-year's  allowance  has  matured  and  become  due  since  the 
excise  has  been  drawn  by  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens;  Burgomasters  and 
Schepens  will  therefore  please  to  furnish  the  accrued  half-year's  salary  out  of  the 
receipt,  according  to  promise.  Done  in  the  Session  of  the  Hon.  Director  General 
and  Supreme  Council  of  New  Netherland,  in  New  Amsterdam,  June  1st  1654. 

Agrees  with  Register  of  Resolutions. 

Cor.   Van  Ruyven,    Sec. 
—  Records  New  Amsterdam,  1.  206.     Col.   Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  268-9. 

Director-Generae  to  the  Burgomasters  etc. 

OF  IsTew  Amsterdam,    Pay  the  Ministers' 

Salaries,  etc. 


1654 


To  the  Worshipful  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  New  Amsterdam:  To-day  we 
take  God  and  our  consciences,  your  Worships  and  other  reuptable  citizens,  as 
witnesses,  that  we  have  now,  and  before  this,  repeatedly,  reminded  your  Worships 
of  the  precarious  situation;  and  requested  to  think  of  assistance  and  means.  Your 
Worships'  word  and  promise  were  good  enough,  and,  influenced  by  them,  we  let 
your  W^orships  have  provisionally  the  Tavern  keepers'  Excise  on  the  distinct 
promise,  that  your  Worships  would  then  provide  means  and  take  care,  that  the 
ministers  of  the  Gospel  should  be  paid  their  salaries. 


New  Amsterdam,  June  8th,  1654.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  271,  272. 

1654. 

These  propositions  did  not  satisfy  the  Director  General.  The  promise  to  com- 
plete the  fort,  after  the  city  had  been  secured,  was  not  redeemed.  The  monies 
already  borrowed  were  expended  in  defending  the  city,  and  not  In  repairing  the 
fort.  Those  who  advanced  that  loan  were  urgent  for  its  payment.  The  Burgo- 
masters and    Schepens   had  received   the  excise,    but  had  not   furnished   the  sub- 


1654 


326  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Bldies  which  they  had  so  solemnly  promised,  and  now  presumed  to  fix  their  quota 
at  three  thousand  guilders,  when  it  was  notorious  that  they  had  collected  more 
than  that  sum.  They  had  not  contributed  a  farthing  towards  repairing  the  public 
works,  yet  they  pretended,  "  very  abusively,"  to  give  good  example.  As  they 
had  now  failed  in  their  duty,  and  had  not  paid  the  clergymen,  schoolmaster  nor 
beadle,  the  Director  and  Council  reclaimed  the  excise,  and  farmed  it  out.  "  Both 
the  gospel  ministers  "  were  paid,  and  the  whole  subject  was  again  referred  to  the 
Lords  Patroons  in  Holland  for  their  decision.  The  Amsterdam  Directors  were  not 
In  the  best  of  humor  on  receiving  intelligence  of  the  obstinacy  of  the  city  fathers. 
They  immediately  instructed  Stuyvesant  to  use  his  authority  to  enforce  the  orders 
he  had  already  received,  "  so  that  these  men  may  no  longer  indulge  in  the  visionary 
dream  that  contributions  cannot  be  levied  without  their'  consent." —  O'Callaghan's 
History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  11.  269,  270. 


Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Correspondence  from  America. 

1654,  July  15tli. 

Hevs.  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Reverend,  Pious,  Very  Learned  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ : 

Your  letter  of  26th  of  February  of  this  year  (1654)  is  most 
acceptable.  We  understand  from  it,  that  our  request  that  you 
would  aid  us  as  far  as  practicable  in  the  matter  of  the  Lutherans 
here,  has  been  considered  by  you,  and  that  through  your  repre- 
sentations, the  Lutheran  request  before  the  Hon.  Directors, 
(Heeren  majores)  has  been  rejected.  Thus  also  the  way  for 
other  sectaries  is  closed  up.  By  this  a  great  service  has  been 
rendered  to  our  church,  for  which  our  thanks  are  due. 

In  addition  to  this,  you  make  mention  in  your  letter,  that  you 
have  gathered  from  our  letters,  that  the  knowledge  of  the  Gos- 
pel is  making  great  progress  among  the  Indians  here.  Speak- 
ing with  all  deference,  we  do  not  know  or  think  that  we  have 
furnished  any  such  intelligence  in  our  letters.  "We  greatly  wish 
indeed,  that  such  were  the  state  of  things  among  the  Indians, 
but  as  yet,  there  is  little  appearance  of  it.  It  is  indeed  true 
that  a  sachem  of  the  Indians  has  sojourned  for  a  length  of  time 
among  us  at  the  Manhattans,  who  was  diligent  in  learning  to 
read  and  write,  which  he  learned  to  do  tolerably  well.  He  was 
also  instructed  in  the  principal  grounds  of  the  christian  faith, 


OF  THE  State  of  N"ew  York.  327 

and  publicly  joined  in  recitations  on  the  catechism  by  christian 
children.  We  gave  him  a  Bible  that  he  might  peruse  it  and 
teach  his  own  countrymen  from  it.  We  hoped  that  in  due  time 
he  might  be  the  instrument  of  accomplishing  considerable  good 
among  the  Indians.  But  we  acknowledge  that  he  has  only  the 
bare  knowledge  of  the  truth,  without  the  practice  of  godliness. 
He  is  greatly  inclined  to  drunkenness,  and  indeed,  is  not  better 
than  other  Indians.  We  do  not  indeed  expect  much  fruit  of 
religion  among  these  barbarous  nations,  until  they  are  brought 
under  the  government  of  Euorpeans,  as  these  latter  increase  in 
numbers.  Finally,  we  commend  you  to  the  care  and  protection 
of  the  Most  High.     Pray  also  for  his  blessing  on  our  ministry. 

Johannes  Megapolensis. 
Samuel  Drisius. 
J^ew  Amsterdam,  July  25,  1654. 

To  the  Worshipful,  Worthy,  Dear,  Faithful,  The  Schout,  Burgomasters  and 
Schepens  of  the  City  of  New  Amsterdam,  with  Proclamation.  (Peace  between 
the  Republics  of  England  and  Holland.) 

1654,   July  18.     City  Hall.     Saturday. 

On  the  date  hereof.  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  city  of  New  Amsterdam, 
In  conformity  with  the  following  letter,  cause  to  be  published  and  aflSxed  at  the 
•City  Hall,  after  the  usual  preliminary  ringing  of  the  bell,  the  (Proclamation)  of 
Peace,  which  has  been  concluded  between  the  Republics  of  England  and  Holland, 
according  to  the  printed  copy. 

Copy. 
The  Director  General  and  Supreme  Council  of  New  Netherland: 

Worshipful,  Worthy,  Dear,  Particular: — 

This  serves  to  convey  the  Proclamation  of  Peace,  Union  and  Confederation 
made  and  concluded  on  the  15th  of  April  last  (1654),  at  Westminster,  between 
Messrs.  the  Commissioners  of  the  Lord  Protector  of  the  Republic  of  England, 
Scotland  and  Ireland  on  the  one  part,  and  the  Ambassadors  of  their  Noble,  High 
and  Mighty  the  Lords  States  General  of  the  United  Netherlands  on  the  other  part. 
Which  Proclamation  sent  us  by  their  said  Noble  High  Mightinesses,  we  have 
thought  pi'oper  to  communicate  hereby  to  Your  Worships,  charging  and  command- 
ing you,  to  cause  the  said  Proclamation  of  Peace,  Union  and  Confederation,  to  be 
published  and  affixed,  where  it  is  customary  to  be  done;  and  the  contents 
thereof;  according  to  its  form  and  tenor,  you  are  to  have  observed  and  obeyed 
in  good  failh  by  all  who  are  or  may  be  placed  under  you.  Wherewith  ending,  we 
■commend  Your  Worships  to  the  gracious  protection  of  the  Most  High.  New 
Amsterdam,  in  New  Netherland,  this  17th  day  of  July,  Anno  1654. 

P.    Stuyvesant. 

By  Order  of  the  Director  General  and  Supreme  Council. 

Corn,  van  Ruyveu,  Sec. —  Records  New  Amsterdam,   i.  215. 


1654 


1654 


328  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1654,  Aug.  24th. 

Catharine  Polhemus,  wife  of  the  minister  recently  in  Brazil  re- 
quests the  assistance  of  the  Brethren,  the  Deputies,  to  procure  her 
the  monev,  which  her  husband,  Bev.  Mr.  Polhemus,  had  earned. 
Her  request  was  received,  and  Bev.  Langelius  will  inquire  of 
book-keeper  Schaef,  what  the  prospect  is  of  her  being  paid.  XX. 
314. —  See  also  Doc.  Hist.  i^.  Y.  iii.  TO. 

Court  Minutes  of  Xew  Amsterdam. 

Support  of  the  Church,  etc.,  in  New  Amsterdam. 

1654,   August  24. 

The  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  City  of  New  Amsterdam  all  due  rever- 
ence and  respect  represent: 

That  on  the  21st  of  July  being  assembled  collegialiter  at  the  invitation  of  the 
Honorable  Director  General,  his  Honor  did  in  the  presence  of  two  ministers, 
Dominies  Megapolensis  and  Driesius,  call  their  attention  to  the  letter  of  the 
Directors  of  the  Chamber  of  Amsterdam,  the  Lords  and  Patroons  of  this  Province 
of  New  Netherland,  and  to  their  request,  and  therefore  being  admonished  to  think 
no  more  of  all  that  had  ever  passed  heretofore  and  to  live  in  future  in  all  friend- 
ship, which  was  mutually  promised.  At  the  same  time  the  Honorable  General 
delivered  to  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  a  despatch  sent  by  the  Honorable 
Lords  to  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens,  according  to  which  we  are  determined 
to  regulate  ourselves  and  to  obey  all  that  is  therein  mentioned. 

Therefore  the  Director  General  and  Supreme  Council  have  been  pleased  by  a 
certain  writing  dated  the  4th  of  August,  delivered  to  us,  partially  to  reprove  us 
for  certain  omissions  and  to  urge  upon  us  the  great  necessity  to  devise  some  ways 
and  means,  to  support  and  maintain  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical  service  and  the 
Military,  who  have  come  in  the  ships  from  Fatherland  and  are  still  expected  to 
arrive  in  others,  and  to  make  provision  for  the  payment  of  the  quota  of  all  the 
money  taken  up  for  the  making  of  the  public  walls  and  works,  etc.;  in  addition 
thereto  that  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  had  obtained  last  year  the  receipt  of 
the  Tapsters'  Excise  from  the  Director  General  and  Council  on  the  condition,  that 
the  Church  expenses  be  paid  out  of  it  and  that  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens 
should  furnish  something  else  as  a  supplement  thereto. 

Whereupon  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  City  of  New  Amsterdam  who 
consider  nothing  else,  but  the  welfare,  union  and  advantage  of  this  City  and  their 
Superiors  of  this  Province,  in  order  then  first  to  put  everything  on  a  solid  founda- 
tion, have  as  precursors  offered  as  their  quota  the  sum  of  three  thousand  guilders, 
as  appears  by  Resolution  of  the  10th  of  August,  transmitted  to  the  Director  Gen- 
eral, and  the  other  Courts  contributing  in  proportion,  they  maintain,  that  the 
borrowed  moneys  and  incurred  debts  can  be  paid  off. 

And  whereas  it  has  been  decided  by  the  Honorable  Directors  as  Lords  and 
Patroons  of  this  Province,  as  appears  from  the  4th  Article  of  the  despatch  sent 
to  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens,  that  the  excise  shall  be  paid  into  our  Treasury 
and  be  there  received;  Therefore  we  do,  by  these  presents;  offer  to  t%ke  upon  us 
to  support  henceforth  at  the  expense  of  this  City  of  New  Amsterdam: 

Of  the  Church  —  One  of  tlie  Ministers,  one  Precentor,  being  at  the  same  time 
Schoolmaster,  one  Dogwhipper  (Beadle). —  Early  Records  of  New  Amsterdam, 
Vol.  i.  232. 


OF  THE  State  of  ;N"ew  York.  329 

,  . Burgomasters  and   Schepens   to   the   Director 

AND  Council  :  Salaries  of  the  Ministers,  The  Church  Of- 
ficers,   Aug.  31,  1654. 

To  the  Noble,   Very  Worshipful,   Honorable  Director-General  and  High  Council  of 
New  Netherland: 

The  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  City  of  New  Amsterdam  show  with  due 
reverence  and  submission. 

On  the  20th  of  July,  while  in  session,  they  were  summoned  before  the  Honorable 
Director-General,  when  his  Honor  in  presence  of  two  ministers,  Domlne  Mega- 
polensis  and  Drleslus,  communicated  to  them  the  letter  from  the  Noble  Lords- 
Directors,  Department  of  Amsterdam,  Lords  and  Patcoons  of  this  Province  of 
New  Netherland,  and  what  their  Noble  Worships  demanded.  His  Honor  thereupon 
admonished  them  not  to  remember  what  had  passed  before,  but  to  live  henceforth 
in  harmony,  which  was  promised  by  both  sides.  Then  the  Honorable  Director- 
Creneral  delivered  to  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  the  letter  addressed  to  them 
<by  the  Noble  Lords-Directors,  by  which  we  are  willing  to  govern  ourselves,  fol- 
lowing the  directions  contained  therein. 

Now  the  Honorable  General  and  High  Council  have  been  pleased  to  censure  us 
in  a  memorial  sent  us  on  the  4th  August  concerning  some  omissions  and  to  lay 
before  us  the  great  necessity  of  providing  a  revenue,  by  which  the  civil  administra- 
tion, the  church  and  the  military  (arrived  by  the  last  ships  and  to  be  expected 
In  the  following  ones)  might  be  supported  and  maintained;  also  to  determine  our 
quota  of  the  amounts  to  be  paid  for  the  loan,  for  the  building  of  the  walls  and 
breastworks  around  the  City,  and  to  remember,  besides,  that  the  Burgomasters 
and  Schepens  had  obtained  last  year  the  revenues  from  the  Tavernkeepers'  Excise 
under  condition,  that  the  expenses  of  the  ecclesiastical  establishment  should  be 
paid  therefrom,  and  that  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  should  make  good  the 
deficit  from  other  resources. 


1654 


Whereas  the  Noble  Lords  Directors,  as  Lords  and  Patroons  of  this  Province  have 
consented,  that  the  Excise  shall  be  paid  into  the  City's  Treasury,  as  the  4th  article 
of  their  letter  to  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  shows: 

Therefore  we  agree  and  engage  ourselves  on  behalf  of  this  City  of  New  Amster- 
dam to  pay  for  the  ecclesiastical  establishment  the  salaries  of 

One  of  the  preachers; 

One  precentor,  who  is  to  be  schoolmaster  at  the  same  time;  etc.,  etc. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  288,  289. 


Answer  of  the  Director  General  and  Council  to  the  Letter 
OF  THE  Burgomasters,  etc..  Dated  August  31  (1654),  Re- 
ferring IT  TO  the  Home  Authorities. 


As  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  do  not  fulfill  their  promise  and  carry  out  the 
conditions,  t©  provide  for  some  other  revenue  in  place  of  the  Tavernkeepers'  Ex- 
cise, and  as  they  have  failed  to  let  out  the  same  for  the  purpose  of  paying  the 
salaries  of  the  clergymen  and  placing  them  above  want;  the  Director  General  and 
Council  are  compelled  to  let  out  the  said  Excise  to  the  highest  bidder  in  con- 
formity with  their  resolution  of  the  13th  of  August  last  past,  and  to  employ  the 
proceeds  in  promptly  providing  for  the  support  of  the  ck^rgy  By  these  means 
the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  will  be  excused  and  delivered  from  carrying  out 
their  offer,  to  support  at  their  expense,  one  clergyman,  one  schoolmaster,  and  one 


1654 


330  Ecclesiastical  Kecokds 

beadle;  the  intentions  and  order  of  the  Lords  Directors  will  be  executed,  the  jns 
patronatus  will  be  preserved,  and  both  the  clergymen  paid  and  placed  above  want. 


Given  at  New  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland  September  16,  1654. 

P.  Stuyvesant.— Col.  Docs.   N.   Y.  xiv.  291,  293. 

Order  on  a  Petition  from  the  Court  of  Midwout  and  Ames- 
FOORT  Respecting  Church  Matters. 

The  Magistrates  of  Midwout  and  Amesfoort  presented  to  the  Council  a  petition, 
which  is  copied  into  the  Book  of  Petitions,  and  to  which  the  following  answer  was 
given. 

It  is  resolved  upon  the  petition  of  the  Court  of  Midwout  and  Amesfoort,  first 
concerning  the  proposition  to  continue  the  teacher;  that  they  must  proceed  in  this 
matter  according  to  the  rules  of  the  Church,  and  await  the  answer  of  the  Lords 
Directors  to  the  request  made  by  the  said  Court  or  its  deputies.  Meanwhile  the 
Director  General  and  Council  are  satisfied,  that  the  present  teacher,  Domine 
Polhemius,  attend  to  the  divine  service  among  them,  until  further  orders  shall 
have  been  received  from  the  Fatherland;  and  they  also  consent,  that  he  shall 
receive  for  his  ministrations  a  proper  and  fair  remuneration  in  conformity  with 
the  teachings  of  the  Apostle  Paul,  "  that  he,  who  serves  at  the  alter,  shall  live 
by  it  ". 


Thus  done  etc.  New  Amsterdam,  Oct.  13,  1654.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv.  294. 

l^OTE  ON  Church  at  Midwout  and  Domine  Polhemus. 

:  1654. 

Hitherto,  however,  the  Dutch  towns  on  Long  Island  had  neither  clergyman  nor 
church,  and  the  inhabitants,  of  necessity,  attended  divine  worship  at  New  Amster- 
dam. The  Reverend  Johannes  Theodorus  Polhemus,  who  had  been  previously 
minister  at  Itamarca  in  Brazil,  having  now  arrived  in  the  province,  received  a  call 
from  Midwout,  where  a  small  cruciform  church,  some  sixty  feet  by  twenty  eight, 
was  soon  after  erected  by  general  subscription.  It  was  the  first  Dutch  church  on 
Long  Island:  the  congregation  was  composed  of  the  adjoining  towns,  and  here 
divine  service  was  performed  every  Sunday  morning;  the  afternoon  sermon  being 
preached  alternately  at  Breukelen  and  Amersfoort.* 

•  N.  A.  Rec;  Alb.  Rec.  iv.,  179;  ix.,  238,  302;  x.,  332.  Domine  Polhemus  was 
joined  by  his  wife,  Catherine,  in  1656.  He  had  two  children  Theodorus  and  Daniel, 
from  whom  have  descended  all  those  of  the  name  in  this  country.  By  the  arrival 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Selyns,  in  1660,  Breukelen  was  separated  from  the  church  of  Flat- 
bush.  In  1665,  the  congregation  of  Amersfoort  demanded  to  be  put  on  an  equal 
footing  with  that  of  Flatbush,  in  respect  to  church  service,  and  that  Mr.  Polhemus 
should  preach  each  alternate  Sunday  forenoon  to  them,  for  which  they  would  pay 
him  four  hundred  guilders  a  year,  *'  light  money,"  being  the  same  as  he  got  from 
Flatbush.  The  latter  congregation  objected  to  this  arrangement,  and  persisted  in 
retaining  the  Domine  at  four  hundred  guilders  per  annum,  "  wampum  currency." 
This  caused  his  Reverence  to  appeal  to  Gov.  Nicolls,  who  decided  that  each  church 
should  have  equal  attendance,  that  is,  morning  and  evening  service  on  alternate 
Sabbaths,  for  which  Amersfoort  (now  Flattlands)  should  pay  a  sum  equal  to  what 
it  agreed  to  give  the  Company  for  tenths,  and  Midwout  four  hundred  florins  a  year, 
until  her  tenths  would  be  due,  when  these  were  to  be  appropriated  as  those  of  Flatt- 
lands. Midwout  (or  Flatbush)  would  not  agree  to  this,  and  a  sharp  letter  (June  1st) 
came  in  consequence  from  the  Governor's  secretary.  This  was  submitted  to  the 
congregation  on  the  18th,  who  resolved  unanimously  to  content  themselves  with  a 
Precentor,  (voorleezer,)  as  the  congregation  was  still  weak.  On  the  following  day 
a  resolution  to  the  same  effect  was  passed  at  a  meeting  of  the  constables,  magis 
trates  and  consistory  of  the  villages  of  Amersfoort  and  Midwout,  and  Domine  Pol- 
hemus was  dismissed.  (Flatbush  Rec.)  He  died  9th  June,  1676,  "  the  worthy  and 
beloved  pastor  "  of  the  church  of  Brooklyn,  whereby  (the  Records  of  that  church 
say)  the  congregation  was  *'  deprived  of  his  pious  instructions,  godly  example,  and 
edifying  preaching,  especially  in  the  administration  of  the  Holy  Sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper."  —  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  ii.,  272. 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  Yokk.  331 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies,  and  their  Correspondence. 

1654,  :N'ov.  11th. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Ministers  in  ]^ew  JSTetherland. 

XXVI.  1Y4. 

Reverend,  Godly  and  Highly  Learned  Brethren,  the  Ministers  of 
the  Divine  Word  of  the  Chnrch  in  'New  I^etherland: — 

The  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  have  requested 
us  to  look  about  for  a  suitable  person  to  be  sent  as  pastor  to 
ISTew  N'etherland.  We  have  already  given  diligence  to  find  such 
a  person,  but  objection  is  made  to  the  meagreness  of  the  salary; 
for  only  six  hundred  guilders  are  promised.  If  now  the  salary 
could  be  increased  and  brought  up  to  twelve  hundred,  or  even 
one  thousand  guilders,  we  might  hope  to  send  a  suitable  person; 
but  no  one  desires  to  undertake  such  a  journey  on  so  small  a 
salary.  There  is  also  a  certain  William  Yestensz,  Visitor  of  the 
Sick,  in  N^ew  Ketherland,  who  has  discharged  the  office  of  sexton 
for  four  years  and  who  has  not  been  compensated  therefor. 
Worthy  Brethren,  we  unite  wdth  him  in  kindly  requesting  you, 
to  be  pleased  so  to  manage  that  he  may  receive  some  compensa- 
tion therefor. 

William  Vestensz  also  requests,  since  he  intends  to  return,  that 
some  one  else  be  sent  in  his  place.  We  are  not  unwilling  to 
look  about  for  a  substitute. 

Herewith  closing,  we  commend  you.  Reverend,  godly  and 
highly  learned  gentlemen,  to  the  protection  of  the  Most  High, 
and  pray  God  that  he  may  bless  your  labors. 

In  great  haste,  Amsterdam,  ^ov.  11,  1654.  In  the  name  of 
the  Classis,  Your  obedient, 

Simon  Wilmirdonx, 
Minister  of  the  Gospel  in  Amsterdam. 

(1654,  Dec.  13.  Robert  Livingston,  born  at  Ancram,  Scot- 
land.—Doc.  Hist.  iii.  434.) 


1654 


1654 


1655 


332  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Appointment  of  Commissioners  for  Building  a  Church  and 

Parsonage  at  Midwout. 

A  vote  having  been  taken  on  the  request  of  the  commissaries  of  the  village  of 
Midwout  to  have  a  Church  built  there  and  accommodation  for  the  minister;  it  was 
resolved  to  prepare  and  build  In  the  village  of  Midwout  a  house  of  about  sixty  or 
•Ixty  five  feet  In  length,  twenty  eight  feet  In  width  and  twelve  or  fourteen  feet 
high  under  the  crossbeams,  with  an  extension  in  the  rear,  where  a  chamber  may 
be  partitioned  off  for  the  preacher;  while  the  divine  service  can  for  the  present  be 
held  In  the  front  part,  until  we  have  more  funds  and  the  material  necessary  for  a 
Church  has  been  collected.  Then  this  building  shall  be  used  for  a  parsonage  and 
barn. 

To  promote  this  work  the  Rev.  Domlne  Megapolensis,  Minister  of  the  Gospel  in 
the  City  of  New  Amsterdam,  Jan  Snediger  and  Jan  Strycker  are  hereby  appointed 
and  authorized  to  make  public  and  private  contracts,  as  they  may  deem  it  most 
useful  and  advantageous  for  the  community. 

Thus  done  etc.  New  Amsterdam  December  17,  1654. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  310. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Herm.  Blom. 

1655,  Jan.  4tli. 

Rev.  Rudolphus  vancler  Meer,  Hermannus  Blom,  Theodore 
Sas,  Paul  Broeckhuysen,  John  a  Burem,  (or  Buriim),  having 
handed  in  their  credentials,  beg  to  be  received,  as  recommended. 
The  credentials  having  been  approved,  and  the  propositions 
treated  by  them,  having  been  heard  with  pleasure,  their  request 
is  granted  upon  their  signing  the  Formulae. —  v.  359. 

Rev.  Polhemus. 

Rev.  Langelius  informs  us  that  he  has  understood  that  the 
Rev.  Polhemus  has  arrived  in  Xew  Xetherland,  and  that  he 
(Langelius)  has  been  requested  by  the  wife  (of  Polhemus)  to 
assist  her  in  obtaining  his  arrearages  of  salary;  also  that  intel- 
ligence has  been  received  here;  that  the  church  there  was  seek- 
ing the  Directors'  approbation,  of  the  call  made  upon  him; 
meanwhile,  they  were  already  employing  him. 

The  Assembly  resolved  that  the  Rev.  Deputies  assist  the 
wife  of  Rev.  Polhemus,  and  that  thev  also  seek  to  obtain  from 
the  Directors  the  approbation  of  his  call,  (to  Long  Island.)  — 
V.  360;  xxvi.  175. 


OF  THE  State  of  ^ew  York.  333 

William  Yestiensz. 

1G53  —  January  26. 

"  William  Verstius,  [Vestlensz.]  Schoolmaster  and  Chorister  in  this  city,  solicited 
the  Council  by  a  petition,  as  he  had  completed  his  service;  and  whereas  there  were 
now  several  persons  fully  competent  to  acquit  themselves  in  this  charge,  that  he 
might  be  favored  with  his  dismission,  and  permitted  to  return  to  Holland  in  the 
first  ship." —  Dunshee,  22. 

Council  Minute.     Domine  Polhemius  asljs  for  pecuniary  assistance.     Aid  asked  for 

building  a  Church  at  Midwout,  Long  Island. 

Tuesday  the  9th  of  February  (1655). 

Before  the  Board  appeared  Domine  Polhemius,  provisional  preacher  In  the  village 
of  Midwout,  who  asked  pecuniary  help  producing  a  letter  from  the  Honorable  Gen- 
eral, which  read  as  follows: 

Copy.  His  Honor  the  Fiscal  will  please  to  assist  and  accommodate  during  my 
absence  the  bearer  hereof,  Domine  Polhemius,  in  some  matters  required  by  him, 
with  wampum  and  also  five  or  six  pounds  of  powder.  Done  at  New  Amsterdam, 
the  15th  of  November,  1654.     Signed  P.  Stuyvesant. 

Being  asked  several  times,  how  he  might  be  accommodated  and  assisted  now,  he 
answered  he  would  ask  for  no  more  than  the  Honorable  Council  was  willing  to  give. 
The  Council  replied,  that  he  had  already  received  considerable  sums  and  there  was 
still  some  to  be  paid  for  his  account  to  the  merchants.  He  answered,  that  he 
would  be  satisfied  to  have  thirty  florins  in  wampum  now.  Their  Honors  directed 
the  Receiver  to  give  him  that  amount  If  feasible. 

At  the  request  of  the  Commissaries  of  Midwout  for  assistance  by  the  inhabitants 
of  Breukelen  and  Amesfoort  in  cutting  and  hewing  timber  to  erect  a  building  for 
the  exercise  of  divine  service,  for  which  they  received  the  permission  by  a  resolu- 
tion of  their  Honors,  the  Director  General  and  Council  in  1654,  It  was,  upon  the 
vote  being  taken,  resolved  that  after  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  now  at 
hand,  a  committee  of  the  High  Council  shall  go  there  with  Domine  Megapolensis. 

Done  at  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  date  as  above. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv, 
311,   312. 

Council  Minute.     Report  of  Domine  Megapolensis  on  the 
Building  of  a  Church  in  Midwout,  L.  I. 

2nd  of  March  (1655). 

Before  the  Board  appeared  the  Reverend  Domine  Johannes  Megapolensis,  minis- 
ter of  the  Gospel  in  the  City  of  New  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  as  representa- 
tive of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  village  of  Midwout,  who  showed,  that  the  people  of  Mid- 
wout had  received  from  their  Honors,  the  Director  General  and  Council,  permission 
to  erect  a  meeting  house  and  make  it  In  quarters  for  the  preacher  and  that  whereas 
such  a  work  must  cost  a  considerable  sum,  the  people  of  Midwout  aforesaid  have 
asked  the  inhabitants  of  Breukelen  and  Amesfoort  for  assistance,  promising  to  do 
the  same  for  them  under  similar  circumstances;  that  the  latter,  pretended  to  be 
willing  to  contribute  to  the  meeting  house,  but  said  In  regard  to  the  preacher's 
quarters,  that  If  the  people  of  Midwout  desired  them,  they  could  make  them  them- 
selves. He  requested  directions  as  to  what  he  should  do  and  the  Honorable  High 
Council  replied,  that  the  resolution  of  the  9th  of  February  1655  should  be  carried 
out. 

Done  at  New  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  date  as  above. —  Col.  Docs,  N.  Y. 
xlv.  312. 


1665 


1655 


334:  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1655,  March  8th. 

Hev.  Herman  Langelius  in  the  Chair.     XX.   315. 
The  report,  in  the  name  of  the  Classis,  of  the  Rev.  Lange- 
lius, concerning  the  mfe  of  Rev.  Polhemus. 

1.  On  account,  received  nothing  as  yet;  on  loan,  two  hundred 
guilders,  (florins). 

2.  The  request  for  the  approbation  (by  the  Directors)  of  Pol- 
hemus, as  minister  in  Xew  Xetherland.  Thus  far,  no  answer; 
had  heard  certain  rumors,  to  judge  from  the  Classical  record, 
not  found  to  his  disadvantage. 

3.  William  Yestens,  Comforter  of  the  Sick,  and  Schoolmaster 
at  Manhattan,  requests  by  letter,  as  before,  an  increase  of  salary 
on  account  of  his  burdensome  family. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1655,  March  18th. 

Rev.  John  Megapolensis  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Reverendissimi    Domini,    Fratres    in    Christo,    Synergi    obser- 
vandi : — 

I  feel  it  my  duty,  to  answer  the  letter  of  your  Reverences, 
dated  the  11th  of  Xovember,   (1654.) 

We  have  cause  to  be  grateful  to  the  Lords-Directors  and  to 
your  Reverences  for  the  care  and  trouble  taken  to  procure  for 
the  Dutch  on  Long  Island  a  good  clergyman,  even  though  it 
has  not  yet  resulted  in  anything.  Meanwhile,  God  has  lead 
Domine  Joannes  Polhemius  from  Brazil,  over  the  Carribean 
Islands,  to  this  place.  He  has  for  the  present  gone  to  Long 
Island,  to  a  village  called  Midwout,  which  is  somewhat  the  Medi- 
tullium  of  the  other  villages,  to  wit,  Breuckelen,  Amersfoort 
and  Gravesend.     There  he  has  preached  for  the  accommodation 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  335 

1655 

of  the  inhabitants  on  Sundays  during  the  winter,  and  has  ad- 
ministered the  sacraments,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all,  as  Director 
Stuyvesant  has  undoubtedly  informed  the  Lords-Directors. 

As  to  William  Yestiens,  who  has  been  schoolmaster  and  sex- 
ton here,  I  could  neither  do  much,  nor  say  much,  in  his  favor, 
to  the  Council,  because  for  some  years  past  they  were  not  satis- 
fied or  pleased  with  his  services.     Thereupon  when  he  asked  for 
an  increase  of  salary  last  year,  he  received  the  answer,  that  if 
the  service  did  not  suit  him,   he  might   ask  for  his  discharge. 
Only  lately  I  have  been  before  the  Council  on  his  account,  and 
spoken  about  it,  in  consequence  of  your  letter,  but  they  told  me 
that  he  had  fulfilled  his  duties  only  so-so  (taliter  qualiter)  and 
that  he  did  little  enough  for  his  salary.     Some  Jews  came  from 
Holland  last  summer,  in  order  to  trade.     Later  a  few  Jews  came 
upon  the  same  ship  as  De  Polheymius;  they  were  healthy,  but 
poor.     It  would  have  been  proper,  that  they  should  have  been 
supported  by  their  own  people,  but  they  have  been  at  our  charge, 
so  that  we  have  had  to  spend  several  hundred  guilders  for  their 
support.     They  came  several  times  to  my  house,  weeping  and  be- 
moaning their  misery.     If  I  directed  them  to  the  Je\vish  mer- 
chants, they  said,  that  they  would  not  even  lend  them  a  few  sti- 
vers.    Some  more  have  come  from  Holland  this  spring.     They 
report  that  still  more  of  the  same  lot  would  follow,  and  then  they 
would  build  here  a  synagogue.     This  causes  among  the  congre- 
gation here  a  great  deal  of  complaint  and  murmuring.     These 
people,  have  no  other  God  than  the  unrighteous  Mammon,  and  no 
other  aim  than  to  get  possession  of  christian  property,  and  to 
win  all  other  merchants  by  drawing  all  trade  towards  themselves. 
Therefore  we  request  your  Reverences  to  obtain  from  the  Lords- 
Directors,  that  these  godless  rascals,  who  are  of  no  benefit  to  the 
country,  but  look  at  everything  for  their  o^vn  profit,  may  be  sent 
away  from  here.     For  as  we  have  here  Papists,  Mennonites  and 
Lutherans  among  the  Dutch ;  also  many  Puritans  or  Independents, 
and  manv  Atheists  and  various  other  servants  of  Ba^  among  the 


336  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1655 

English  under  this  Gavernment,  who  conceal  themselves  under 
the  name  of  Christians;  it  would  create  a  still  greater  confusion^ 
if  the  obstinate  and  immovable  Jews  came  to  settle  here.  Closing 
I  commend  your  Eeverences  with  your  families  to  the  protection 
of  God,  who  will  bless  us  and  all  of  you  in  the  service  of  the  di- 
vine word. 

Your  obedient 

Johan.  Megapolensis. 

Amsterdam  in  Xew  Xetherland  the  18th  of  March,  1655. 

Addressed  to  the  Reverend,  Pious  and  very  Learned  Deputies  ad 
res  Ecclesiasticas  Indicas,  in  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Polhemus. 

1655,  Mar.  22nd. 

The  Rev.  Deputies  report  that  they  have  secured  for  the  wife 
of  the  Rev.  Polhemus  assistance  from  the  Directors  of  the  West 
India  Company,  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred  guilders,  not  on 
salary,  but  as  a  loan.  But  with  respect  to  the  approbation  of  the 
call  of  Rev.  Polhemus,  they  had  received  answer,  that  that  mat- 
ter was  not  so  urgent;  that  they  had  also  learned  something  dam- 
aging to  him,  and  therefore  requested  the  Rev.  Deputies  to  as- 
certain if  aught  of  this  had  been  brought  before  the  Classis. 
XXYI.  177. 

(Vol.  xxvi.  is  the  first  of  the  volumes  of  the  Correspondence; 
but  contains,  at  first,  sometimes,  a  few  items  of  the  Acts  of  the 
Deputies.) 

Harmanus  Van  Hoboocken. 

1655,  March  23. 

Whereas,  William  Vestiens,  Chorister  and  Schoolmaster  of  this 
city  (Xew  Amsterdam)  has  earnestly  and  repeatedly  sought  per- 
mission to  return  to  the  Fatherland,  his  request  is  hereby  granted. 
Therefore  the  Honorable  gentlemen  of  the  High  Council,  with  the 
consent  of  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  this  city,  have  appointed  Har- 
manus Van  Hoboocken  as  Chorister  and  Schoolmaster  of  this  city 


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OF  THE  State  of  New  York.         -  337 

1055 

at  thirt;y  'live  guilders  per  month,  and  one  hundred  guilders  extra, 
per  year,  for  expenses.  He  promises  to  conduct  himself  diligent^ 
and  faithfully  according  to  the  instructions  given,  or  which  may 
be  given  him  hereafter. 

Nicasius  De  Sille. 

Done  in  Amsterdam,  in  New  Netherlands,  March  23,  1655. — 
Dunshee's  School,  23. 

Affairs  of  Rev.  Polhemius. 

1655,  March  23rd. 

The  Rev.  Deputies  report  that  they  have  secured  aid  for  the 
wife  of  Rev.  Polhemius  so  far  that  she  has  been  assisted  by  the 
Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  to  the  amount  of  one  hun- 
dred guilders,  not  on  account  of  his  salary,  but  as  a  loan.  In  re- 
gard to  the  approval  of  (the  call  on)  Rev.  Polhemius,  they  (the 
Deputies)  had  been  answered  that  this  matter  needed  no  great 
haste;  that  they  had  learned  of  something  detrimental  to  him,  and 
to  this  end  (the  Directors)  requested  that  Rev.  Deputies  would 
inquire  if  anything  of  that  nature  had  come  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  Classis.    v.  367. 

Polhemius. 

1655,  April  5th. 

The  wife  of  Rev.  Polhemius  makes  known  to  the  meeting,  that 
her  husband  had  requested  in  letters,  that  she,  with  her  children, 
should  come  to  him  to  New  Netherland.  Having  arrived  there, 
he  had  great  hope  of  being  ^called  to  the  service  of  a  church  in 
that  locality.  She  requested  the  advice  of  this  Assembly  as  to 
what  she  should  do  in  the  premises.  Whereupon  the  Rev.  Depu- 
tati  ad  causas,  reported  that  the  Messrs.  Directors  of  the  West 
India  Company  had  written  to  the  Governor  asking  his  position, 
in  reference  to  this  call.  To  this  inquiry  no  answer  had  yet  come. 
Therefore  this  Assembly  cannot  yet  advise  her  to  address  herself 
to   that  journey,   until   further  information   is   received.      And 

22 


1655 


338  Ecclesiastical  Records 

whereas,  in  the  meantime,  she  and  her  four  children  are  plunged 
(lit.  stuck  fast)  in  the  utmost  poverty,  it  was  resolved  that  the 
Deputies  shall  do  their  utmost  to  obtain  something  for  her  sup- 
port from  the  Worthy  Directors.  The  Classis  assigned  for  her 
immediate  need  the  sum  of  a  hundred  guilders. —  v.  371;  xix.  1. 

Director  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant  :  Jews  : 

26tli  of  April  1655. 
Honorable,  Prudent,  Pious,  Dear,  Faithful: 


We  would  have  liked  to  agree  to  your  wishes  and  request,  that  the  new  territories 
should  not  be  further  invaded  by  people  of  the  Jewish  race,  for  we  foresee  from 
such  immigration  the  same  difficulties,  which  you  fear;  but  after  having  further 
weighed  and  considered  this  matter,  we  observe,  that  it  would  be  unreasonable  and 
unfair,  especially  because  of  the  considerable  loss,  sustained  by  the  Jews  in  the 
taking  of  Brasil  and  also  because  of  the  large  amount  of  capital,  which  they  have 
invested  in  shares  of  this  Company.  After  many  consultations  we  have  decided  and 
resolved  upon  a  certain  petition  made  by  said  Portuguese  Jews,  that  they  shall 
have  permission  to  sail  to  and  trade  in  New  Netherland  and  to  live  and  remain 
there,  provided  the  poor  among  them  shall  not  become  a  burden  to  the  Company  or 
the  community,  but  be  supported  by  their  own  nation.  You  will  govern  yourself 
accordingly. 


The  preacher  Polhemus,  arrived  there  from  Brasil,  has  informed  us  by  letter  of 
his  willingness  to  remain  in  New  Netherland  and  take  charge  of  the  congregation 
at  Midwout.  If  you  think  he  is  wanted  there  and  the  said  Polhemius  is  found  to 
lead  an  irreproachable  life,  we  have  no  objection  to  his  becoming  minister  there 
provisionally  and  until  our  further  order  at  a  salary  already  provided  for  by  the 
congregation,  without  becoming  a  burden  to  the  Company. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv. 
315,  317. 


Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

William  Yestiens. 

1655,  June  14th. 

William  Vestiens,  returning  homg,  from  I^ew  ITetherland,  and 
having  been  a  Visitor  of  the  Sick  there,  asks  that  he  may  be  sent 
in  the  same  capacity  to  the  East  Indies.  His  church  credentials 
having  been  read,  his  request  is  recommended  to  the  Deputies  ad 
res  Indicas.  Also  his  request  of  the  Messrs.  Directors  of  the 
West  India  Company,  that  he  may  receive  some  recognition  for 
the  services  of  sexton,  done  by  him  for  some  time,  (is  recom- 
mended.)—  V.  378. 


OF  THE  State  of  'New  York.  330 

Oeder  on  a  Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Midwout  and 
Amesfoort  for  Assistance  in  Maintaining  Their  Minister. 

Tuesday,  15th  of  June,  1655. 

After  reading  the  petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Midwout  and  Amesfoort  showing 
that  for  the  accommodation  of  Domine  Polhemius,  their  present  Minister,  they  had 
erected  a  convenient  dwelling  and  also  allotted  to  him  a  parcel  of  land  and  asking 
that,  as  they  were  still  very  poor,  they  might  receive  assistance  by  voluntary  con- 
tributions. 

It  was  resolved  to  consider  the  petitioners'  request,  when  the  building  is  com- 
pleted, the  land  fenced  in  and  the  account  of  expenditures  for  the  same  presented 
to  the  Council.     Date  as  above. —  Col.   Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.   327. 

Synod  of  ^orth  Holland,  at  Edam. 

1655,  Aug.  17  et  seq. 

Art.  42.     Rev.  Polhemius  and  his  wife. 

Regarding  Article  48,  treating  of  Rev.  Polhemius  and  his  wife : 
The  Rev.  Deputati  relate  that  after  many  difficulties  he  had  ar- 
rived in  New  Netherlands  and  had  been  recommended  by  them 
and  by  the  Deputies  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Messrs.  Directors  (of 
the  West  India  Company),  so  that,  so  far  as  they  could  effect  it, 
he  be  employed  in  the  Sacred  Ministry  there.  They  had  also  prom- 
ised to  make  inquiries  about  him,  and  to  aid  as  much  as  possible 
towards  his  employment.  They  also  made  known  to  the  said  Di- 
rectors the  distress  of  his  wife,  who  is  noAv  at  Amsterdam.  She 
asks  for  the  arrears  of  her  husband's  salary,  but  could  obtain 
nothing;  except  that  one  hundred  guilders  had  been  given  her 
by  them.  All  the  Classes  also  have  done  their  part,  except  Haar- 
lem, which  remained  in  statu,  because  they  had  not  heard  about 
her.  Regarding  the  church  of  Moordrecht,  Edam  excuses  itself; 
Hoorn  has  done  its  share:  the  other  Classes  remain  in  statu. 


1665 


1655 


340  Ecclesiastical  Records 


Resolution  to  Exempt  the  Jews  from  Military  Service. 

August  28,  1655. 

The  Captains  and  officers  of  the  trainbands  of  this  City  having  aaked  the  Director 
General  and  Council,  whether  the  Jewish  people,  who  reside  in  this  City,  should 
also  train  and  mount  guard  with  the  Citizens'  bands,  this  was  taken  in  considera- 
tion and  deliberated  upon:  first  the  disgust  and  unwillingness  of  these  trainbands 
to  be  fellow-soldiers  with  the  aforesaid  nation  and  to  be  on  guard  with  them  in 
the  same  guard  house  and  on  the  other  side,  that  the  said  nation  was  not  admitted 
or  counted  among  the  citizens,  as  regards  trainbands  or  common  citizens'  guards 
neither  in  the  illustrious  City  of  Amsterdam  nor  (to  our  linowledge)  in  any  city  in 
Netherland;  but  in  order  that  the  said  nation  may  honestly  be  taxed  for  their  free- 
dom in  that  respect,  it  is  directed  by  the  Director  General  and  Council,  to  prevent 
further  discontent,  that  the  aforesaid  nation  shall,  according  to  the  usages  of  the 
renowned  City  of  Amsterdam,  remain  exempt  from,  the  general  training  and  guard 
duty,  on  condition  that  each  male  person  over  sixteen  and  under  sixty  years  con- 
tribute for  the  aforesaid  freedom  towards  the  relief  of  the  general  municipal  taxes 
sixty  five  stivers*  every  month  and  the  military  council  of  the  citizens  is  hereby 
authorized  and  charged  to  carry  this  into  effect  until  our  further  orders  and  to 
collect  pursuant  to  the  above  the  aforesaid  contribution  once  in  every  month  and 
in  case  of  refusal  to  collect  it  by  legal  process.  Thus  done  in  Council  at  Fort  Am- 
sterdam, on  the  day  as  above.     (It  was  signed). 

P.    Stuyvesant, 

Nicasius  De  Sille, 
Cornells  Van  Tienhoven. 
1  :  —Col.   Docs.  N.  Y.  xli.  96. 

Expulsion  oy  Swedish  Ministers  from  Delaware. 

1655,   Sept.  25. 

Immediately  after  the  surrender  of  Fort  Christina,  Stuyvesant  offered,  in  compli- 
ance with  his  instructions,  to  restore  the  place  to  Rysingh,  on  honorable  and  fair 
conditions,  and  made  him,  accordingly,  a  tender  of  the  keys,  but  these  the  Swede 
refused.  The  matter  was  no  longer  within  his  province,  and  he  preferred  to  abide 
by  the  capitulation.  A  proclamation  was,  thereupon,  issued,  ordering  all  who 
wished  to  remain  in  the  country  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance.  Twenty  persons 
gave  in  their  adhesion.  Two  out  of  three  of  the  Swedish  clergymen,  then  on  the 
river,  were  summarily  expelled  the  country;  the  third  was  saved  from  similar  ill 
treatment  solely  by  intelligence  that  the  Manhattans  and  adjoining  settlements  were 
a  prey  to  all  the  horrors  of  arf  Indian  foray. —  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Nether- 
land, Vol.  il.,  289. 

Father  Le  Moyne  at  Beverwyck. 

1655,  September. 

Shortly  after  the  installation  of  the  new  Vice  Director  [John  de  Decker,]  Father 
Le  Moyne  took  occasion  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  Dutch  at  Beverwyck.  He  was 
received  with  much  respect  by  the  Hollanders;  and  the  Mohawks  whom  he  visited 
for  the  purpose  of  concluding  a  treaty,  on  the  part  of  the  French,  evinced  more 
than  ordinary  gratification  at  seeing  him.  But  the  Father  had  not  well  left  the 
country  when  a  body  of  one  hundred  of  these  Indians  presented  themselves  at  Fort 
Orange.  They  were  on  the  eve  of  setting  forth  on  a  war  excursion  against  the 
Canada  Indians,  and  fearing  "  that  the  French  had  poisoned  the  ears  of  their  Dutch 
brothers  against  them,"  now  asked  the  latter  to  remain  neuter. —  O'Callaghan's 
History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  11.,  806. 

•  One  stiver  —  Two  cents. 


OF  THE  State  of  !N'ew  York.  341 


1655 


Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

1655,  Oct.  nth. 

For  the  greater  security  of  the  City  of  Amsterdam,  there  was  a,  large  voluntary 
subscription  and  taxation.  In  this  list,  which  covers  five  and  a  half  pages,  and 
which  represents,  in  some  sense,  the  ability  of  the  several  inhabitants,  we  find  the 
following: — 

Peter  Stuyvesant  A-  150. 

Domine  Megapolensis,  50. 

Domine  Drisius,  50. 

Cornelius  Steenwyck,  100. 

Isaac  Kip,  20. 

Hendrick  Kip,  25. 

Warner  Wessels,  25. 

Pieter  Jacobszen  Marlus,  20. 
The  total  amounted  to  six  thousand  three  hundred  and  five  florins  or  two  thou- 
sand five  hundred  and  twenty-two  dollars. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  i.  366-375. 

Religious  Condition  of  ISTew  York,  1656. 

"  Until  1654  the  ecclesiastical  policy  of  the  government  of  New  Netherland  had 
not,  practically,  departed  from  that  of  the  Fatherland,  where,  notwithstanding  the 
establishment  of  a  National  Reformed  Church,  we  have  seen  that  all  other  sects 
were  tolerated,  and  allowed  the  use  of  their  several  forms  of  worship.  The  West 
India  Company  recognized  the  authority  of  the  established  Church  of  Holland  over 
their  colonial  possessions:  and  the  specific  care  of  the  Transatlantic  churches  was 
early  entrusted,  by  the  Synod  of  North  Holland  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  By 
that  Body  all  the  colonial  clergy  were  approved  and  commissioned.  With  its  com- 
mittee Ad  res  exteras,  they  maintained  a  constant  correspondence.  The  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  was,  in  fact,  the  Metropolitan  of  New  Netherland.  For  more  than  a 
century  its  ecclesiastical  supremacy  was  affectionately  acknowledged;  and  long  after 
the  capitulation  of  the  province  to  England,  the  power  of  ordination  to  the  Min- 
istry, In  the  American  Branch  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  remained  in  the 
governing  Classis  in  Holland,  or  was  exercised  only  by  its  special  permission  ". 

*'  The  clergymen  commissioned  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  were,  of  course,  Cal- 
vinists.  They  were  generally  men  of  high  scholarship  and  thoroughly  theological 
training;  for  the  people,  who  at  Leyden  preferred  a  university  to  a  fair,  insisted 
upon  an  educated  ministry. 

"  The  colonial  clergy  had  much  to  do,  and  peculiar  diflSculties  to  encounter.  A 
lax  morality,  produced  by  the  system  of  government  and  the  circumstances  of  the 
province,  undoubtedly  prevailed  among  many  of  the  New  Netherland  colonists.  It 
was  diflacult  to  administer  the  offices  of  religion  to  scattered  farmers  and  isolated 
traders.  It  was  still  more  difficult  to  teach  the  Word  to  the  savages.  Yet,  Mega- 
polensis, contemporaneously  with  Jogues,  had  attempted  to  instruct  the  Mohawks 
several  years  before  Eliot  had  begun  his  missionary  labors  near  Watertown  aad 
Dorchester.  At  Manhattan,  too,  the  work  was  tried,  but  with  very  indifferent  suc- 
cess. The  Dutch  colonists  themselves  gladly  listened  to  the  Gospel  which  they  had 
heard  in  the  Fatherland;  and  churches  were  built,  partly  by  voluntary  contributions 
of  the  commonalties,  at  Manhattan,  Beverwyck,  and  Midwout.  To  these  churches 
the  country-people  made  toilsome  journeys,  to  bring  their  ehildren  to  baptism,  to 
hear  the  words  of  the  preacher,  and  to  join  in  that  simple  but  majestic  music  which 
they  had  first  sung  far  across  the  sea,  where  the  loud  chorus  overpowers  the 
diapasons  of  Haerlam  and  Amsterdam  ". —  Brodhead's  N.  Y.  i.  614-615. 

"  In  the  beginning  of  1656,  there  were  four  Reformed  Dutch  Clergymen  in  New 
Netherland.  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  were  colleagues  at  New  Amsterdam;  Schaats 
ministered  at  Beverwyck;  and  Polhemus  had  the  joint  charge  of  Breuckelen,  Mid- 


1656 


342  Ecclesiastical  Records 

wout  and  Amersfoort.  Besides  his  regular  services  at  New  Amsterdam,  Drislus 
occasionally  visited  Staten  Island,  where  a  number  of  Vandois  or  Waldenses  soon 
settled  themselves;  and  his  knowledge  of  the  French  language  enabled  him  to  preach 
satisfactorily  to  these  faithful  men,  who  fled  to  Holland  and  to  America  from  the 
tyranny  of  their  despotic  sovereign. —  Brodhead,  i.  615. 

Early  in  1656,  [March]  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  complained  to  the  Director  that 
unqualified  persons  were  preaching  and  holding  conventicles  at  Middleburg,  from 
which  nothing  could  be  expected  but  discord,  confusion,  and  disorder  in  Church 
and  State.  Stuyvesant  was  himself  a  zealous  son  of  the  Church.  He  was  an  over 
strict  constructionist,  and  loved  the  display  of  arbitrary  power.  A  proclamation, 
assuming  "  to  promote  the  glory  of  God,  the  increase  of  the  Reformed  religion,  and 
the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  Country  ",  soon  appeared,  forbidding  preachers  "  not 
having  been  called  thereto  by  ecclesiastical  or  temporal  authority  ",  from  holding 
conventicles  not  in  harmony  with  the  established  religion  as  set  forth  by  the  Synod 
of  Dort,  "  and  here,  in  this  land,  and  in  the  Fatherland,  and  in  other  Reformed 
Churches  observed  and  followed  ".  Every  unlicensed  preacher  who  should  violate 
this  ordinance  was  subjected  to  a  penalty  of  one  hundred  pounds  Flemish;  and 
every  person  who  should  attend  such  prohibited  meetings  became  liable  to  a  penalty 
of  twenty  five  pounds.  The  ordinance,  however,  expressly  disclaimed  "  any  preju- 
dice to  any  patent  heretofore  given,  any  lording  over  the  conscience,  or  any  pro- 
hibition of  the  reading  of  God's  holy  word,  and  the  domestic  praying  and  worship 
of  each  one  in  his  family  ". —  Brodhead's  N.  Y,  i.  617. 

Order  on  a  Petition  of  the  Clergy  Against  Conventicles 
AND  Preaching  by  Unqualified  Persons  at  I^ewtown,  Long 
Island. 

January  15th,   1656. 

Present  in  Council  their  Honors,  the  Director  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Messrs. 
Nicasius  de  Sille  and  La  Montague  and  the  Fiscal  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven. 

After  having  read  the  petition  of  the  preachers  of  this  City  of  Amsterdam, 
hereafter  following,  the  following  order  was  made: 

Concerning  the  conventicles  and  the  assuming  to  teach  the  Gospel  by  unquali- 
fied persons,  placats  shall  be  issued  against  them;  as  to  the  last,  the  petitioners 
are  requested  to  proceed  to  Middleburgh  when  convenient,  to  inquire  with  the 
advice  of  the  Magistrates  and  some  of  the  best  informed  inhabitants  for  a  person 
fit  to  act  as  reader  there:  after  which,  their  petition  shall  be  taken  Into  further 
consideration.     Done  in  Council,   date  as  above. 

P.    Stuyvesant. 
N.  de  Sille,   La  Montagne. 
To  their  Noble  Honors,  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New 
Copy.  Netherland. 

Show  with  due  reverence  the  preachers  in  this  City,  that  they  have  been  in- 
formed by  several  persons  living  at  Middleburgh  in  this  Province,  that  since  the 
removal  and  during  the  absence  of  Mr.  Moore,  lately  preacher  there,  some  in- 
habitants of  that  place  and  unqualified  persons  have  ventured  to  hold  conventicles 
and  gatherings  and  assumed  to  teach  the  Gospel,  from  which  nothing  but  quarrels, 
confusion  and  disorders  may  be  expected  in  Church  and  communalty  not  only  in 
that  place,  but  also,  by  giving  a  bad  example,  In  other  places  of  this  Province. 

They  request  therefore,  that  some  provision  be  made  by  your  Honors'  authority 
and  during  Mr.  Moore's  absence  some  suitable  person  be  appointed,  who  by  reading 
the  Bible  and  some  other  edifying  and  orthodox  work  on  Sunday  would  continue 
among  the  inhabitants  the  forms  of  religious  worship,  until  your  Honors  should 
make  other  provisions.    Which  doing  etc. 

Johannes  Megapolensis 
Samuel   Drisius. 
—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  336,  337. 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  343 

Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 
!N'ew  Graveyard.     Board  of  Churchmasters  appointed. 

1656,    January  24. 

Whereas  the  Honorable  General  has  had  it  proposed  to  him,  that  It  is  highly- 
necessary  to  divide  the  Old  Graveyard,  which  is  wholly  in  ruins,  into  lots  to  be 
built  upon,  and  to  malie  another  Graveyard  south  of  the  Fort,  and  to  remove  the 
houses  standing  there,  on  a  valuation,  what  resolution  should  be  taken  thereupon?* 

The  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  decide  on  the 

1st.  That  it  is  highly  necessary  to  establish  a  Graveyard  at  another  suitable 
place,  or  to  put  it  into  good  order  where  it  now  is:  but  that  it  is  not,  at  present, 
advisable  to  throw  down  the  houses,  south  of  the  Fort  and  to  locate  it  there.  But 
it  was  considered,  that  it  would  be  better,  west  of  the  Fort,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  Windmill,   where  there  is  a  good  hill  clear  of  timber. 

2nd.  Whereas  the  Church  in  the  Fort  is  more  and  more  out  of  repair,  without 
anything  having  been  done  to  it,  and  the  Honorable  General  is  at  present  the  only 
Churchmaster;  if  it  be  not  advisable  that  a  new  Churchmaster  be  appointed  and 
the  Honorable  General  discharged? 

On  the  second  was  decided 

That  four  persons  be  proposed  by  the  Burgomasters  to  the  Honorable  General 
and  Council,  to  select  and  commission  two  therefrom  as  Churchmasters. —  Records 
of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  ii.    pp.  24,  25. 

Action  of  the  Director  and  Council  on  Conventicles. 

1656,  Feb.  1. 

The  Director  General  and  Council  have  been  credibly  informed, 
that  not  only  conventicles  and  meetings  have  been  held  here  and 
there  in  this  Province,  but  also  that  unqualified  persons  presume 
in  such  meetings  to  act  as  teachers,  in  interpreting  and  expound- 
ing God's  Holy  Word,  without  ecclesiastical  or  secular  authority. 
This  is  contrary  to  the  general  rules,  political  and  ecclesiastical 
of  our  Fatherland;  and  besides,  such  gatherings  lead  to  trouble, 
heresies  and  schisms. 

Therefore,  to  prevent  this,  the  Director  General  and  Council 
strictly  forbid  all  such  public  or  private  conventicles  and  meet- 
ings, except  the  usual  and  authorized  ones,  where  God's  Word, 
according  to  the  Reformed  and  established  custom,  is  preached 
and  taught  in  meetings  held  for  the  religious  service  of  the  Re- 
formed Church,  conformably  to  the  Synod  of  Dort,  which  is  to 


1666 


*  The  Old  Graveyard  was  on  the  West  side  of  Broadway,  a  short  distance  north 
of  the  present  Morris  Street.  It  covered  one  hundred  feet  square,  and  in  1665,  as 
will  appear  in  a  later  volume,  it  is  represented  as  in  a  shamefully  dilapidated 
condition. 


1656 


344  Ecclesiastical  Records 

be  followed  here,  as  in  the  Fatherland,  and  in  the  other  Reformed 
Churches  of  Europe ;  under  a  fine  of  one  hundred  pounds  Flemish, 
($240.),  to  be  paid  by  all  who,  in  such  public  or  private  meet- 
ings, except  at  the  usual  authorized  gatherings  on  Sundays  or 
other  days,  presume  to  exercise,  without  due  qualification,  the 
duties  of  a  preacher,  reader  or  chorister ;  and  each  man  or  woman, 
married  or  unmarried,  who  is  found  at  such  a  meeting,  shall  pay 
a  fine  of  twenty  five  pounds  Flemish,  ($60.) 

The  Director  General  and  Council,  however,  do  not  hereby  in- 
tend to  force  the  consciences  of  any,  to  the  prejudice  of  formerly 
given  patents,  or  to  forbid  the  preaching  of  God's  Holy  Word, 
the  use  of  Family  Prayers,  and  divine  services  in  the  family ;  but 
only  all  public  and  private  conventicles  and  gatherings,  be  they 
in  public  or  private  houses,  except  the  already  mentioned  usual, 
and  authorized  religious  services  of  the  Reformed.  And  that 
this  order  may  be  the  better  observed,  and  nobody  plead  ignorance 
thereof,  the  Director  General  and  Council  direct  and  charge  their 
Fiscal,  and  the  inferior  Magistrates  and  Schouts,  to  publish  the 
same  ever^nvhere  in  this  Province,  and  to  prosecute  transgressors ; 
inasmuch  as  we  have  so  decreed  this,  for  the  honor  of  God,  the 
advancement  of  the  Reformed  services,  and  the  quiet,  unity  and 
welfare  of  the  country  generally. 

Thus  done,  etc.,  February  1,  1656. 

JSTew  Church  at  Fort  Orange. 

1656. 

The  church  erected  in  1G43  had  long  since  become  inadequate  to  the  accommoda- 
tion of  the  community,  and  it  had  been  determined  in  the  course  of  the  preceding 
year  to  erect  a  new  building.  To  assist  this  good  work,  the  Patroon  and  co- 
directors  subscribed,  Feb.  18,  one  thousand  guilders,  or  four  hundred  dollars,  and 
fifteen  hundred  guilders  were  appropriated  from  the  fines  imposed  by  the  court 
at  Fort  Orange.  A  site,  at  the  junction  of  what  is  now  State  street  and  Broad- 
way, was  selected,  and  in  the  early  part  of  the  summer,  Rutger  Jacobsen,  one  of 
the  magistrates,  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  sacred  edifice,  in  the  presence  of  the 
authorities,  both  of  the  town  and  colonic,  and  of  the  assembled  inhabitants,  June  2. 
A  temporary  pulpit  was,  at  first,  erected  for  the  use  of  the  minister,  but  the 
settlers  subscribed  twenty  five  beavers  to  purchase  a  more  splendid  one  in  Holland. 
The  Chamber  at  Amsterdam  added  seventy  five  guilders  to  this  sum,  for  "  the 
beavers  were  greatly  damaged;  "  and  "  with  a  view  to  inspire  the  congregation 
with  more  ardent  zeal,"  presented  them  in  the  course  of  the  next  year  with  a 
bell  "to  adorn  their  newly  constructed  little  church." — O'Callaghan's  History  of 
New  Netherland,  Vol.   ii.,   307. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  345 

Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Midwout  and  Amesfoort 
FOR  Authority  to  Take  up  a  Collection  for  the  Support 
OF  Their  Minister. 

Tuesday,  15th  of  February,  1656. 
Copy. 
To   the   Noble,    Very    Worshipful,    their    Honors   the    Director    General    and    High 
Council  of  New  Netherland. 

Show  with  due  respect  and  reverence  the  Magistrates  of  Midwout  and  Amesfoort 
upon  Long  Island  in  New  Netherland,  that  they  have  adopted  a  resolution  for  the 
common  welfare,  as  they  think,  to  take  up  a  voluntary  collection  in  the  villages  of 
Breuckelen,  Midwout  and  Amesfoort  and  depending  places  for  the  support  of  a 
Minister  or  teacher,  to  which  they  believe  many  are  willing  to  contribute;  but  as 
they  have  no  authority  to  do  it  without  having  first  informed  their  Noble  Worships 
the  Council  of  New  Netherland,  the  aforesaid  Magistrates  request  hereto  your 
Worships'  approbation  and  favorable  order,  that  they  may  carry  out  their  well 
meant  project  and  resolution;  the  Magistrates  aforesaid  engaging  themselves  to 
give  to  your  Worships  or  to  your  Worships'  delegates  a  full  and  true  account  and 
statement  of  the  moneys  received,  if  it  is  necessary  and  they  are  called  upon  to 
do  so.     Which  doing  etc. 

The  Magistrates  of  Midwout,  Amesfoort  and  adjacent  places. 

By  their   order 

Peter  Tonneman  as  Secretary. 

Done  8th  of  February  1656.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  337. 

Court  Minutes  of  !New  Amsterdam. 
Harmen  van  Hoboocken,  Schoolmaster. 

1656,   February  21. 

Endorsement  on  the  petition  of  Harmen  van  Hooboocken,  Schoolmaster.  The 
Schout  having  exhibited,  in  conformity  to  instructions  from  the  Honorable  Di- 
rector General  and  Council,  the  request  of  the  Schoolmaster,  Harmen  van 
Hooboocken,  in  Court,  they  endorsed  —  Said  Schoolmaster  shall  communicate  to 
the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens,  what  he  is  allowed  for  each  child  per  quarter^ 
pursuant  to  instructions  from  the  General  and  Council,  which  being  done,  further 
order  shall  be  taken  on  petitioner's  request. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  ii. 
p.   39. 

ft 

Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Brooklyn^  that  the  Min- 
ister OF  Midwout  Preach  Alternately  in  Brooklyn. 

February  25,  1656. 
To  their  Honors  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. 

Show  with  due  reverence  the  Committee  of  the  Schepens  of  the  village  of 
Breuckelen  and  depending  places,  that  they  have  learned  and  see,  that  the  people 
of  Midwout,  belonging  in  their,  the  petitioners',  jurisdiction,  are  going  about  tak- 
ing subscriptions  or  a  collection  for  the  support  of  the  Minister  in  the  said  village 
of  Midwout;  and  as  the  Rev.  Domine  Johannes  Polhemius  is  performing  the  duties 
of  his  charge  only  at  Midwout,  the  inhabitants  of  Breuckelen  and  adjacent  places 
are  disinclined  to  subscribe  or  promise  anything  for  the  support  of  a  minister, 
whose  services  they  do  (not)  enjoy.  The  petitioners  therefore  respectfully  request, 
that  the  said  Domine  Johannes  Polhemius  officiate  for  the  present  alternately  at 


1656 


1656 


346  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

Midwout  and  Breuckelen  (which  he  appears  willing  to  do);  then  they  are  willing 
to  contribute  to  his  support  according  to  their  means;  or  else  that  they  and  the 
inhabitants  of  Breuckelen  and  the  adjacent  places  may  be  excused  from  con- 
tributing to  the  support  of  a  Minister,  whose  services  do  not  benefit  them. 
Awaiting  your  Honors'  favorable  decision  we  are  and  remain, 

Your  Honors  obedient  servants 

Joris  Dircksen, 
Albert  Cornelissen, 
The  mark  X  of  Joresey  Rapailje. 

The  foregoing  petition  having  been  read  in  Council  and  a  vote  taken  thereon,  it 
was  resolved  to  decide  as  follows: 

The  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  have  no  objection  against 
Domine  Johannes  Polhemius  officiating  alternately  at  both  places,  wind  and  weather 
permitting. 

Done  in  Council,  date  as  above. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv.  338. 


Court  Minutes  of  ISTew  Amsterdam. 
Cliurclimaster&. 

1656,   February  28. 

To  the  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  residing  in 
Fort  Amsterdam. 

The  Burgomasters  of  this  City  of  Amsterdam  respectfully  represent,  that  the 
Church  requires  some  necessary  repairs;  and  whereas  some  Churchmasters  have 
either  left  or  died,  therefore  the  Honorable  Director  General  is  requested  in  his 
capacity,  to  attend  to  the  said  Church;  in  order,  however,  to  relieve  the  Honorable 
Director  General  of  trouble,  and  to  forward  the  repairs  of  the  Church,  the  Burgo- 
masters respectfully  request,  that  your  Honors  would  be  pleased  to  appoint  Church- 
masters. 

Endorsement. 

The  Heer   Nicasius  d'   Silla  and  Govert  Loockermans  are  elected  for  this   year 

Churchmasters,   to   enter  on  first   of  March  of   this   year.      Dated   xii   Feb.   1656. 

Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland.     Was  subscribed. 

P.   Stuyvesant. 

By  order  of  the  Honorable  Director  and  General  and  Supreme  Council  of  New 
Netherland. 

Signed  C.  v.  Ruyven,  Secretary. 

—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  ii,  pp.  50,  51. 

Council  Minute.  Application  from  the  Magistrates  of  Mid- 
wout FOR  Assistance  to  Pay  Their  Minister,  and  Answer 
OF  the  Council. 

The  Schepens  of  the  village  of  Midwout  appeared  before  the  Council  and 
demonstrated,  that  the  subscription  obtained  for  the  support  of  their  present 
Minister  Domine  Johannes  Polhemius  amounting  to  six  hundred  guilders  was  only 
a  voluntary  contribution  and  that  they  could  not  rely  upon  it  every  year,  as  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  said  village,  who  had  settled  there  only  lately  and  were  still 
without  means,  would  find  it  a  heavy  tax  and  burden  upon  themselves  to  con- 
tribute so  much  every  year.  Now  as  the  said  Domine  had  requested,  that  they 
should  not  only  pay  him  the  arrears,  but  also  give  him  henceforth  a  fixed  salary 
or  else  he  would  remove  as  soon  as  an  opportunity  offered,  they  ask  for  advice, 
what  to  do  and  how  much  the  Director  General  and  Council  would  contribute  for 
the  minister's  support  in  the  name  of  the  Honorable  Company. 


OF  THE  State  of  !N'ew  York.  347 

The  answer  of  Director  General  and  Council  is:  They  authorize  the  said 
Schepens  to  make  a  contract  with  the  said  Domine  Polhemius,  provided  that  they 
take  care  to  fulfill  the  engagements  they  make  and  collect  the  means  thereto  from 
the  community,  as  the  Company  has  had  many  and  heavy  expenses  for  years, 
without  receiving  any  assistance.  Besides  seven  hundred  guilders  have  already 
been  advanced  to  the  said  Domine  Polhemius  for  account  of  the  Company  during 
the  eighteen  months  of  his  residence  here  and  considering  the  present  troubles  and 
scarcity  of  funds  in  the  Company's  treasury,  they  cannot  promise  or  consent  to 
do  so  in  the  future.  This  may  serve  for  their  government.  Date  as  above  (March 
28,  1656).— Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  345. 

Council  Minute Kesolution  to  Offer  fob 

Sale  the  House  and  Lot  Called  the  Old  Church,  on  the 
East  River,  New  Amsterdam 

I  April  4th,   1656. 


1656 


Resolved,  that  on  Saturday,  the  8th  of  April,  the  house,  lot  and  buildings  thereon 
called  the  Old  Church  and  formerly  tenanted  by  Captain  Newton,  situate  and 
Jying  on  the  East  River  in  the  alley  running  between  it  and  Fiscal  Tienhoven's 
house,  opposite  the  house  of  Sr.  Hendrick  Kip  be  sold  at  public  auction  to  the 
lilghest  bidder.— Col.   Docs.   N,   Y.   xlv.  346. 


Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

1656,  April  18th. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.     E.ev.  Heydanus  in  the  Chair. 

Rev.  Langelius  presented  a  little  catechetical  book,  (written 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Megapolensis),  for  revision  and  printing.  The  Rev. 
Meeting  approved  the  reading  of  the  'book,  but  did  not  take  the 
indorsement  of  it  upon  themselves,  but  referred  it  to  the  Classis. 
—  XX.  353. 

Catechism  Book  of  Rca^  J.  Megapolensis. 

1656,  May  1st. 

The  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  reported,  that  there  had  come 
to  their  hands  a  certain  little  Catechism  Book,  which  had  been 
heretofore  prepared  and  published  by  Rev.  John  Megapolensis, 
minister  in  'New  ]^etherland,  at  (New)  Amsterdam,  and  which 
it  is  sought,  to  reprint.  The  Assembly  thinks  it  advisable  that 
an  effort  be  made  to  prevent  this  undertaking.  Therefore  the 
Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  shall  wait  upon  the  Directors  in  reference 
to  this  matter;  shall  write  to  the  same  effect,  in  a  friendly  man- 


1656 


348  Ecclesiastical  Records 

ner,  to  the  Rev.  Brethren  in  IsTew  N^etherland,  requesting  them 
to  be  kind  enough  to  maintain  henceforth  in  this,  and  in  all  other 
matters  that  come  up,  good  and  christianlike  correspondence, 
such  as  has  been  customary  hitherto,    vi.  13  ;  xix.  13. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence.     1656,  May  12. 

The  Olassis  of  Amsterdam  to  Rev.  Consistory  in  New  Xether- 

land.     XX.  357-360. 

May  26,  1656. 

Reverend,  Godly,  Wise  and  Learned  Brethren: — 

For  some  time  past  we  have  been  learning  with  much  satisfac- 
tion, through  the  verbal  statements  of  many  who  came  to  us  from 
New  Netherland,  that  the  church  there,  although  small,  is  in  a 
good  and  peaceful  condition;  also  that  the  extension  of  Christ's 
Kingdom  among  the  blind  heathen  is  taken  to  heart,  although 
not  accompanied  with  that  success  that  could  be  wished.      While 
we  give  thanks  to  the  Almighty  for  his  grace,  and  commend  the 
zeal  of  the  brethren,  we  would  have  preferred  to  leai*n  the  situa- 
tion of  the  church  from  letters  of  your  own,  especially  in  matters 
of  importance.     But  no  letters  from  you  have  come  to  hand  since 
your  last,  under  date  of  October  6,  1653.      After  the  receipt  of 
that  letter,  we  wrote  to  you  in  two  letters,   dated  respectively 
Pebruary  26  and  November  11,    1654,  what  efforts  had  been 
made  by  the  Hon.  Directors,  and  with  what  good  results.      Since 
then  either  you  have  not  written,  or  else  our  letters  did  not  come 
to  your  hands.      From  this  we  conclude  that  the  Lutherans  must 
have  abandoned  their  intention  of  procuring  a  minister  of  their 
persuasion.      Our  Rev.  Classis,  indeed,  looked  upon  this  matter 
as  an  affair  of  great  consequence;  for  the  Mennonists  and  English 
Independents,  of  whom  there  is  said  to  be  not  a  few  there,  might 
have  been  led  to  undertake  the  same  thing  in  their  turn,  and 
Avould  probably  have  attempted  to  introduce  public  gatherings. 
In  fact  we  are  informed  that  even  the  Jews  have  made  request 
of  the  Hon.  Governor,  and  have  also  attempted  in  that  country 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  Yoek.  349 

1656 

to  erect  a  synagogue  for  the  exercise  of  their  blasphemous  religion. 
Out  of  all  these  things,  indeed,  there  would  have  arisen  a  very 
Babel.  One  cannot  contemplate,  without  great  emotion  of  soul, 
how  greatly  a  pastor's  labor  would  have  been  increased  under 
such  circumstances,  and  beset  with  obstacles,  and  what  difficulties 
would  have  arisen  to  interfere  with  their  good  and  holy  efforts 
for  the  extension  of  the  cause  of  Christ.  The  Hon.  Directors 
appear  to  have  acted  in  this  matter  in  a  very  Christian  manner. 
Let  us  then  —  we  here  in  this  country  and  you  there  —  employ 
all  diligence  to  frustrate  all  such  plans,  that  the  wolves  may  be 
warded  off  from  the  tender  lambs  of  Christ. 

There  came  to  hand  lately  a  certain  catechism  drawn  up  by 
Kev.  John  Megapolensis,  with  request  for  our  approval,  and  that 
it  be  prepared  for  printing.  The  Rev.  Classis  resolved,  in  con- 
formity mth  their  action  of  January  30,  1651,  in  reference  to 
this  and  like  matters,  that  although  the  diligence  of  his  Rever- 
ence is  to  be  commended,  yet  that  it  is  inadvisable  to  permit  the 
printing,  much  more  the  introduction  of  the  same  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  youth.  Such  a  course  would  war  against  the  general 
order  and  usage  of  our  church,  both  in  this  country  and  in  distant 
churches,  planted  by  and  dependent  on  us.  In  these  churches 
no  other  catechisms  besides  the  Heidelberg  and  the  Compendium 
of  the  same,  called  the  Short  Inquiry,  is  in  use  in  the  catechetical 
sermons,  catechetical  classes  and  schools. 

Dear  Brethren,  the  general  Formula,  the  doctrines  which  are 
good,  tried,  and  established  by  long  practice,  to  which  old  and 
young  have  everywhere  become  accustomed,  and  which  have  been 
used  with  much  edification,  should  not  be  lightly  changed.  Hence 
also  this  matter  belongs  to  the  order  and  laws  of  the  National 
Synod,  and  which  no  Particular  Synod,  much  less  a  Classis  or 
Consistory,  may  alter.  We  leave  it  to  your  own  forecast  to 
decide,  whether  other  churches,  should  such  a  practice  be  per- 
mitted, would  not  likewise  assume  the  same  liberty,  and  not  only 
use  other  catechisms,  but  different  ones  at  different  times  in  the 


350  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1656 

same  place?  Neither  would  this  liberty  be  limited  to  this  one 
matter  of  the  Catechism.  It  would  also  extend  to  other  matters^ 
either  of  a  similar  or  of  a  different  nature.  Out  of  this,  what 
sad  disputes,  schisms,  and  all  manner  of  confusions,  would  arise. 
Beloved,  let  us  ever  maintain  unity,  not  only  in  the  doctrine  of 
truth,  but  also  in  the  Formula  of  the  same,  as  well  as  in  those 
things  which  pertain  to  Order.  Thus  wdll  the  unity  of  the  spirit, 
in  the  bond  of  peace,  be  promoted. 

We  wrote  you  on  iTovember  11,  1654,  concerning  the  proposal 
of  sending  a  minister  to  Long  Island.  As  we  understand  it,  he 
was  to  receive  six  hundred  guilders  salary,  by  voluntary  contri- 
butions of  the  inhabitants,  who  would  bind  themselves  to  furnish, 
each  one,  his  share.  We  have  indeed  looked  about  for  such  a 
good  minister,  but  the  proposed  sum  of  money  was  considered 
altogether  too  moderate,  especially  since  he  had  a  pretty  large 
family.  The  Rev.  Classis  has  therefore  been  unable  to  secure 
anyone.  The  Rev.  Brethren  then  requested  that  an  effort  be 
made  to  raise  the  sum  to  twelve  hundred  or  at  least  one  thousand 
guilders,  but  nothing  subsequently  was  accomplished,  so  far  as 
we  know.  We  have  heard,  however,  that  Rev.  Mr.  Polhemus  has 
undertaken  the  charge  there,  having  come  from  Brazil.  He  lost 
his  charge  there  by  reason  of  the  sad  failure  of  the  Company. 
We  would  like  to  know  how  this  arrangement  is  working.  Those 
coming  from  that  place,  (Long  Island),  with  whom  we  have  con- 
versed, tell  us  that  there  are  not  a  few  members  of  the  church 
there;  and  they  also  declare  that  his  Reverence  is  recognized  by 
all  as  the  regular  minister;  that  he  performs  all  the  functions  of 
a  pastor;  and  sometimes  preaches  at  ]^ew  Amsterdam,  as  well  as 
at  Midwout,  (Flatbush),  and  that  his  labors  are  appreciated,  and 
are  not  without  fruit.  We  request,  however,  further  informa- 
tion about  all  these  things. 

As  far  as  we  are  concerned,  we  have  nothing  against  his  Rev- 
erence being  and  remaining  pastor  there  according  to  (Church) 
Order.      The  Rev.  Mr.  Polhemus  has  written  to  his  wife  that  he 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  351 

is  inclined  to  remain  there.  He  says  that  he  can  get  along  with 
the  salary,  and  will  continue  his  labors  there,  and  directs  her  and 
the  children  to  come  over.  We  have  not  wished  to  dissuade  her 
from  this  journey  to  her  husband,  but  have  rather  sought  to  help 
her  designs  with  the  Hon.  Directors.  She  is  a  very  worthy 
matron,  and  has  a  great  desire  to  join  her  husband.  She  has 
struggled  along  here  in  poverty  and  great  straits,  and  has  alwayj^ 
conducted  herself  modestly  and  piously. 

We  greatly  desire,  moreover,  to  learn  how  matters  stand  in 
the  church  in  Renselaerswyck  on  the  south  river;  [this  must  be 
a  mistake  in  one  word  or  the  other.  Either  south  river  must 
be  read  north  river,  or  else  New  Amstel  should  be  read  in 
place  of  Renselaerswyck]  and  if  there  be  any  other  churches 
thereabout;  what  schoolmasters  are  there,  and  what  they  are 
doing ;  what  efforts  towards  the  conversion  of  the  heathen,  whether 
adults  or  children,  are  made,  or  ought  to  be  made,  or  might  be 
made;  in  particular,  what  wants  the  Rev.  Brethren  would  wish 
to  have  supplied  in  the  way  of  Catechisms  and  Compendiums. 
Perhaps  ere  long,  a  wide  door  will  open  for  the  spread  of  the 
Gospel  among  the  heathen.  To  this  end  you  and  we  should  use 
all  diligence,  trusting  that  our  labor  will  not  be  in  vain  in  the 
Lord. 

William     Vestens,  having  come  over  to  us,  has,  at  his  ovni 

request,  departed  as  Visitor  of  the  Sick  to  the  East  Indies,  with 

the  vessels  which  sailed  in  Deceonber  last.     Nothing  else  remains 

except  our  greeting  and  committing  you  to  God.      Signed  this 

26th  of  May,  1656,  by 

J.  Heydamus. 

Oasparus  de  Carpentier. 

(Megapolensis.     Polhemus.) 

1656,  June  13th. 

Rev.  Heydanus  reports  that  he  went  to  see  the  Messrs.  Directors 
of  the  West  India  Company,  and  made  known  to  them  the  Reso- 


1656 


1656 


352  Ecclesiastical  Records 

lution  of  Classis  in  regard  to  the  Catecliising-book  of  Rev.  Mega- 
polensis,  which  resolution  suited  them.  Item:  that  the  wife 
of  Rev.  Polhemus  was  permitted  to  leave,  to  join  her  husband 
on  Long  Island  in  'New  Ketherland,  and  that  aid  was  promised 
her;  and  that  she  had  received  this  to  some  extent. —  xx.  357. 

A  letter  written  in  the  name  of  the  Classis  to  the  Rev.  Con- 
sistory in  New  Motherland,  which  will  be  delivered  by  Rev. 
Heydanus,  and  reads  as  follows ; 

See  letter  above  dated  May  26,  1656.— xx.  357-360. 


Directors  to  Stuyvesain^t  : Jews  ;  Lutherans  ; 


The  14th  of  June  1656. 


Honorable,  Vigorous,  Pious,  Dear,  Faithful:  We  have  seen  and  heard  with  dis- 
pleasure, that  against  our  orders  of  the  15th  of  February  1655,  issued  at  the 
request  of  the  Jewish  or  Portuguese  nation,  you  have  forbidden  them  to  trade  to 
Fort  Orange  and  the  South  River;  also  the  purchase  of  real  estate,  which  is 
granted  to  them  without  difficulty  here  in  this  country;  and  we  wish  it  had  not' 
been  done  and  that  you  had  obeyed  our  orders,  which  you  must  always  execute 
punctually  and  with  more  respect:  Jews  or  Portuguese  people  however  shall  not 
be  employed  in  any  public  service,  (to  which  neither  are  they  admitted  in  this 
city),  nor  allowed  to  have  open  retail  shops;  but  they  may  quietly  and  peacefully 
carry  on  their  business  as  before,  and  exercise  in  all  quietness  their  religion 
within  their  houses,  for  which  end  they  must  without  doubt  endeavor  to  build 
their  houses  close  together  in  a  convenient  place  on  one  or  the  other  side  of  New 
Amsterdam, —  at  their  own  choice  —  as  they  have  done  here. 

We  would  also  have  been  better  pleased,  if  you  had  not  published  the  placat 
against  the  Lutherans,  a  copy  of  which  you  sent  us,  and  committed  them  to 
prison,  for  it  has  always  been  our  intention,  to  treat  them  quietly  and  leniently. 
Hereafter  you  will  therefore  not  publish  such  or  similar  placats  without  our 
knowledge,  but  you  must  pass  it  over  quietly  and  let  them  have  free  religious 
exercises  in  their  houses.* 


The  wife  of  Domine  Polhemius  goes  over  in  the  ship  "  Gulden  Otter  ";  we  gave 
her  permission,  as  to  all  other  private  parties,  to  go  there  as  cabin  passengers,  the 
Company  paying  the  fare  for  her  and  her  children  on  condition,  that  the  amount 
shall  be  deducted  from  the  salary  earned  by  her  husband  in  Brazil. —  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.  xiv.  350,  351,  352. 


♦  This  paragraph  is  also  in  the  volumes  of  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  Vol  xx,  372-3. 
It  is  found  in  many  histories  pertaining  to  New  York,  under  several  different 
translations. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  353 

Papers  Regarding  the  Dispute  Between  the  Director-Gen- 
eral AND  the  PaTROON  OF  ReNSSELAERSWYCK  AS  TO  THE  PRIVI- 
LEGES OF  THE  Latter. 

1656,  June  20. 

Remonstrance  made  by  Jean  Baptist  van  Rensselaer,  Director  of  tlie  Colony  of 
Rensselaerswyck  situate  on  the  Nortli  River  of  New  Netlierland,  to  liis  Noble 
Honor,  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  the  High  Council  of  New  Netherland. 


1656 


As  to  the  orders  received  by  your  Honors  in  regard  to  the  tenths  (tithes,  for 
Church  support)  from  the  bouweries  in  our  Colony,  that  is  altogether  contrary  to 
the  privileges,  declared  legal  by  the  Honorable  Company  and  the  Assembly  of  the 
xix,  and  also  of  the  6th  Article  of  high  and  low  jurisdiction. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
xiv.  355,  356. 

Action  on  Van  Rensselaer's  Remonstrance,  so  far  as  tithes  are  concerned. 

The  remonstrance  made  by  Jan  Baptist  van  Rensselaer,  who  calles  himself  Di- 
rector of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  on  the  North  River  of  New  Netherland, 
to  their  Honors,  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  the  Council  of  New  Netherland, 
was  received  and  read. 

Upon  this  we  answer  in  the  first  place,  that  the  Director  General  and  Council 
have  no  knowledge  of  his  appointment  as  Director  of  the  Colony  etc.,  of  which 
nevertheless  they  ought  to  have  been  informed  pursuant  to  the  9th  and  28th 
articles  of  the  exemptions. 

Inasmuch,  however,  as  the  remonstrant  at  the  end  of  his  protest  shows  the 
burdens  to  be  borne  by  the  Patroons  in  supporting  their  servants  and  officers,  in 
which  we  suppose  the  officers  of  the  Church  are  included,  for  whom  apparently 
the  tithes  are  ordered  to  be  gathered  and  set  aside  in  the  old  testament,  the 
Director  aud  Council  provisionally  and  until  further  order  consent  in  this  point 
to  the  prayer  of  the  remonstrant  so  far,  that  this  question  of  the  tithes  shall  once 
more  be  referred  to  our  superiors  in  the  Fatherland:  save  that  an  agreement  be 
made  with  him  in  regard  to  the  tithes  demanded  for  this  year,  principally  in  order 
to  meet  possible  exceptions  made  by  others  and  if  our  superiors  in  the  Fatherland 
or  arbitrators  appointed  by  them  decide,  that  neither  the  Colony  of  Rensselaers- 
wyck nor  any  of  its  bouweries  is  subject  to  tithing,  then  the  Director  General 
and  Council  engage  to  refund  the  sums  agreed  upon  as  tithes.  1656,  June  27. — 
Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  359.     See  435. 

Order  in  Favor  of  the  Waldenses. 

1656,  June  30. 

Burgomasters  and  Regents  of  Amsterdam,  hereby  authorize  the 
Commissioners  of  the  Exchange  Bank  in  the  said  city,  to  give 
and  pay  to  Mr.  John  van  Berckel,  Receiver-General  of  Holland 
and  West  Friesland,  the  sum  of  seventeen  thousand,  five  hundred 
and  sixty  six  guilders,  eleven  stivers  and  eight  pence,  say 
fl.l7,566:ll  :8,  which  sum,  on  producing  receipt  therefor,  shall 
be  allowed  said  Commissioners  in  rendering  their  account  of  the 
moneys  collected  within  this  city  for  and  on  the  behalf  of  the  Wal- 
denses.   Done  the  30th  June,  1656.—  Col.  Docs.  K  Y.  i.  618. 

23 


1656 


354  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

AValdenses  and  Huguenots  emigrate  to  the  South  River,  1656- 

1663.     Population,  1664. 

In  1656  and  1663  a  large  body  of  Waldenses  and  other  colonists,  with  some 
orphans,  were  sent  to  the  South  River  by  the  City  of  Amsterdam;  and  a  consider- 
able number  of  Ilujruenots,  originally  from  Rochelle,  arrived  in  the  country  in  the 
course  of  the  latter  year,  in  addition  to  those  who,  for  similar  reasons,  had  already 
emigrated  from  Savoy  and  settled  on  Staten  Island. 

From  these  and  natural  causes  the  population  of  the  province  quintupled  in 
seventeen  years.  At  the  commencement  of  Stuyvesant's  administration,  the  num- 
ber of  persons  capable  of  bearing  arms  is  stated  to  have  been  between  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  and  three  hundred,  in  and  around  the  capital.  Including  Rensselaers- 
wyek,  this  would  give  a  population  of  two  thousand  souls.  In  1664,  the  number 
is  estimated  at  "  full  ten  thousand."  New  Amsterdam  contained,  in  1656,  when 
first  surveyed  by  Capt.  de  Koninck,  one  hundred  and  twenty  houses,  and  one 
thousand  souls.  The  former  increased  in  1660,  when  a  map  of  the  capital  was 
made,  to  over  three  hundred  and  fifty,  whilst  the  population  augmented,  in  1664, 
to  fifteen  hundred.  Of  these,  not  quite  two  hundred  and  fifty  were  male  adults; 
the  balance,  between  twelve  and  thirteen  hundred,  consisted  of  women,  and  chil- 
dren below  eighteen  years  of  age. —  O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol. 
ii.,  540. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1656,  July  10th. 
Rev.  Mr.  Schoonhovius  in  the  Chair. 

Since  it  is  understood  that  the  Lutherans  have  again  requested 
of  the  Directors  here  the  privilege  of  the  public  exercise  of  their 
religion  in  'New  ]^etherland,  in  conformity  with  the  custom  in  this 
country;  and  since  this  has  been  granted  to  them  there,  as  well 
as  to  all  other  sects,  even  as  it  is  in  this  country;  therefore  the 
Rev.  Meeting  has  resolved  to  make  this  fact  known  to  the  Rev. 
Classis. —  XX.  361. 

Lutheran  Worship  in  New  E^etherland. 

1656,  Aug.  7th. 

The  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  made  known  to  the  Rev.  Classis 
that  they  had  learned  that  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Com- 
pany had  given  consent  to  the  public  exercise  of  the  Lutheran 
Religion  (worship)  in  JSTew  ISTetherland.  The  Rev.  Classis  is 
grieved  thereat,  and  finds  it  necessary  at  the  earliest  opportunity, 
even  this  very  day,  to  wait  upon  the  Directors  in  regard  to  this 
matter.     Having  learned  from  them  the  exact  (entire)  situation 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  355 

of  affairs  they  will  take  sucli  further  action  to-morrow   as  the 
case  may  demand. —  vi.  20;  xix.  14. 

Lutheran  Worship  in  'New  Netherland. 

1656,  Aug.  8th. 

As  regards  the  permission  of  public  Lutheran  Worship  in  New 
Netherlands  the  Brethren  the  committee  ad  causas  Indicas  report, 
that  they  had  spoken  thereupon  with  some  of  the  Directors.  They 
said  that  they  knew  not  of  any  such  complete  toleration  of  the 
Lutherans  there,  but  neither  did  they  know  what  more  there  might 
be  of  such  designs.  The  Rev.  Classis  finds  it  advisable  and  re- 
solves that  this  matter  be  more  carefully  watched  and  inquired 
into,  and,  if  possible  prevented,     vi.  25,  26. —  xix.  15. 

Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. —  The  Old  Church  Lot. 

1656,  August  15. 

Pleter  Jacobsen  Marius  appears  in  Court  requesting  tliat  tlie  Bailiff  be  authorized 
to  levy  execution  on  ttie  judgement  against  Jacob  van  Couwenhoven,  inasmuch  as 
he,  otherwise  knows  not  when  he  shall  obtain  his  own.  Whereupon,  J.  v.  Couwen- 
hoven being  called  into  Court,  appearing  requested,  as  he  was  an  old  Burgher,  that 
execution  may  not  yet  be  proceeded  with;  saying  that  he  had  already  given  the 
deed  of  his  house  and  lot  on  the  Strand*  to  the  Bailiff  to  be  sold,  as  security. 

Synod  of  North  Holland,  at  Alckmaeb. 

1656,  Aug.  15  et  seq. 
Article  32. 

Preachers  recently  ordained  for  the  service  of  the  Churches  in 
the  East  Indie&:      , 

In  New  Netherland  the  ministers  are  as  follows:*  At  New 
Amsterdam,  Eev.  John  Megapolensis,  Kev.  Samuel  Drisius;  At 
Rensselaerswyck,  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats. 


1656 


*  This  was  first  known  as  the  "  Old  Church  Lot  ", —  a  wooden  church  having  been 
built  on  it  as  early  as  1633.  It  was  situate  on  the  North  side  of  the  present  Pearl 
St.,  about  sixty  or  eighty  feet  East  of  Whitehall.  The  lot  together  with  the  old 
Church  having  been  purchased  by  Jacob  Wolphertsen  van  Couwenhoven  April  8, 
1656,  was  confirmed  to  him  by  patent  of  June  30,  same  year,  and  pursuant  to  the 
order  in  this  case  again  sold,  Isaac  de  Foreest  becoming  the  purchaser  September 
8,  1656.  The  latter,  having  built  on  the  lot  a  house,  "  which  is  an  ornament  to  the 
City,"  obtained  in  1664  the  grant  of  the  lane  adjoining  to  build  a  woodshed  etc 
Calendar  of  Dutch  MSS.,  p.  383;  Valentine,  Manual,  1861,  p.  589.  It  subsequently 
became  the  property  of  Allard  Anthony. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  VoL  ii. 
pp.  153,  154. 

♦  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  name  of  Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  Is  not  mentioned,  al- 
though he  had  been  officiating  on  Long  Island  for  two  years,  but  only  in  an  in- 
formal way. 


1666 


356  Ecclesiastical  Hecords 

Draft   of  Conditions    Offered   by   City  of   Amsterdam   to 
Emigrants,  to  the  South    (Delaware)  River. 

1G56. 

As  to  Religion: 
*     •     * 

7.  Said  City  (of  Amsterdam)  shall  cause  to  be  erected  about  the  Market  or  in  a 
more  convenient  place,  a  public  building  suitable  for  Divine  service;  item,  also  a 
house  for  a  School  which  can  likewise  be  occupied  by  the  person  who  will  hereafter 
be  Sexton,  Psalmsetter  and  Schoolmaster;  the  City  shall,  besides,  have  a  house 
built  for  the  Minister. 

8.  The  City  aforesaid  shall  provisionally  provide  and  pay  the  salary  of  a  Minister 
and  Schoolmaster,  unless  their  High  Mightinesses  or  the  Company  think  otherwise. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  620. 

Conditions  Offered  by  the  City  of  Amsterdam  to  Settlers 

ON  the  Delaware  River. 

1656,   Aug.   12. 

7.  The  City  of  Amsterdam  shall  send  thither  a  proper  person  for  Schoolmaster, 
who  shall  also  read  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  set  the  Psalms. 

8.  The  City  of  Amsterdam  shall  provisionally  and  until  further  opportunity  pro- 
vide the  salary  of  said  Schoolmaster. —  Col.  Docs.   N.  Y.  i.  631. 

1656,   August  2/12. 

"Resolution  of  the  States  General  on  these  conditions.  To  be  investigated. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  63^:. 

1656,  August  6/16. 

Report  of  the  Committee  of  the  States  General  on  the  same. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  1. 
636-7. 

Their  High  Mightinesses  have  thanked  the  Committee  for  the  trouble  they  have 
taken,  confirmed  the  report  and  ratified  the  agreement  entered  into  respecting  the 
population.  But  when  there  are  two  hundred  families  or  thereabouts,  a  preacher 
and  consistory  shall  be  installed  without  any  expense  to  the  Company  (generaliteit). 

—  Col.  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  i.  637. 

Ratification  of  Report  by  the  States  General. 

1656,  Aug.  16. 

Which  being  considered,  their  High  Mightinesses  have  thanked  the  Gentlemen  of 
the  Committee  for  the  trouble  they  have  taken,  and  it  is  further  Resolved  and  con- 
cluded, hereby  to  approve  and  ratify  the  aforesaid  agreement  or  conditions  entered 
Into  by  the  abovementioned  Chamber  with  the  Burgomasters  of  Amsterdam,  all 
nevertheless  saving  and  without  prejudice  to  the  right,  jurisdiction  and  possession 
of  the  Colonies  heretofore  given  out  in  the  aforesaid  countries  and  of  the  property 
purchased  in  said  district;  with  this  understanding  also,  that  whensoever  there 
shall  be  in  that  place  two  hundred  families  or  thereabouts,  a  preacher  and  con- 
sistory shall  be  Installed  there  without  any  expense  to  the  Company.  And  all  this 
saving  also  the  division  of  the  districts  which  may  be  made  among  the  respective 
Chambers.  It  is  hereby  recommended  to  the  aforesaid  Chamber  at  Amsterdam  so 
to  moderate  the  public  duties  that  the  population  there  may  be  encouraged,  and  not 
obstructed.—  Col.   Docs.   N.   Y.   i.  637. 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  357 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

'New  JSTetherland. 

1656,  Oct.  3rd. 

In  tlie  matter  of  the  Lutheran  meeting  in  ISTew  l^etherland,  it 
was  reported  in  the  E-ev.  Classis,  that  there  was  reason  to  appre- 
hend that  there,  as  well  as  in  all  the  colonies  public  worship  by 
Lutherans  would  be  permitted ;  and  whereas  it  has  been  deter- 
mined to  establish  other  rules  and  regulations,  in  which  the  Wor- 
shipful Magistracy  of  Amsterdam  shall  have  a  hand ;  that  some 
of  the  Noble  Mightinesses  (Officially  of  x\msterdam)  together 
with  some  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  were  delegated 
for  the  particular  purpose,  that  all  sorts  of  persuasions  might  be 
permitted  to  exercise  their  special  forms  of  worship;  The  Rev. 
Classis  is  grieved  to  learn  of  such  a  circumstance,  and  finds  it 
highly  necessary  to  give  careful  heed  to  this-  matter.  Therefore 
the  Directors  and  their  ISToble  Mightinesses  (the  Officials  of  Am- 
sterdam), and  especially  their  committee  on  this  subject,  shall  be 
waited  on,  and  the  injuriousness  of  this  general  permission  of  all 
sorts  of  persuasions  shall  be  earnestly  deprecated,  stating  that  first 
of  all,  and  above  all,  the  Church  and  the  glory  of  God  should  be 
cared  for,  etc.  This  matter  remains  recommended  to  the  Deputies 
ad  causas  Indicas.     vi.  33 ;  xix.  25. 

Resolution  of  the  States  General  on  Mr.  van  der  Capelle's 

Petition. 

Wednesday,  the  4th  October,  1656. 

Read  at  the  meeting  a  certain  Remonstrance  of  J.  Hendrick  van  der  Capelle  to 
Ryssel,  Lord  of  Essel  and  Hasselt,  Burgomaster  of  the  City  of  Zutphen,  Ordinary 
Deputy  in  their  High  Mightinesses'  Assembly,  requesting  that  a  Commission  be 
Issued  for  a  proper  person  of  the  Reformed  Religion,  which  he  would  send  as  Com- 
mander to  his  people  of  Staten  Island  in  New  Netherland,  as  was  granted  last  year, 
1655,  to  Messrs.  Adriaen  and  Cornells  Lampsins  for  the  Island  of  Tobago  and  St. 
Martin.  Which  being  considered,  it  is  resolved  and  concluded  to  refer  the  petition 
aforesaid  to  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  here,  for  advice. 


1666 


1666 


358  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Resolution  of  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX.  on  Mr.  van  der  Capelle's  Petition. —  Ex- 
tract from  the  resolutions  of  the  Committee  of  the  respective  Chambers  of  the 
Incorporated  West  India  Company,  representing  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX., 
holden  at  the  Hague. 

Thursday,  the  5th  of  October,  1656. 

Read  at  the  meeting  a  certain  petition  presented  by  Mr.  Hendrick  van  der  Capelle 
thro  Ryssel,  Lord,  etc.,  to  their  High  Mightinesses,  together  with  their  High  Mighti- 
nesses' postll  thereon,  dated  4th  of  October,  1656,  that  the  Directors  in  attendance, 
from  the  respective  Chambers  representing  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX.,  may  furnish 
their  advice  on  the  said  opinion  presented  as  above. 

It  is  resolved  and  concluded,  that  the  petition  concerns  exclusively  the  Chamber 

of  Amsterdam  with  which  the  said  gentlemen  hath  specially  contracted;  that  the 

Directors  of  said  Chamber  in  attendance  are  earnestly  requested,  as  well  out  of 

respect  for  the  case  as  for  his  Honor,  to  bring  this  petition  before  the  Chamber  of 

Amsterdam,  and  to  second  and  recommend  It,  in  the  most  favorable  manner,  which. 

also,  they  have  undertaken  to  do  on  the  earliest  opportunity.      Agrees  with  the 

Register  aforesaid. 

(Signed)        L.  van  Seventer,  1656. 

—  Col.    Docs.    N.    Y.    i.    640. 

Resolution  of  the  States  General. 

Thursday,  the  5th  of  October,  1656. 
Read  at  the  meeting  a  certain  Resolution  of  the  attending  Committee  of  the 
Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  representing  the  Assembly  of  the  Nineteen 
of  this  day's  date,  in  substance  that  Mr.  Van  der  Capelle  to  Ryssel's  remonstrance 
presented  yesterday,  to  obtain  a  Commission  for  a  Commander  to  be  sent  by  him 
to  his  people  of  Staten  Island  In  New  Netheland  concerning  exclusively  the  Chamber 
of  Amsterdam,  with  which  that  Gentleman  had  specially  contracted,  and  conse- 
quently they  the  Directors  in  attendance  had  earnestly  requested  said  Chamber  to 
bring,  out  of  respect  for  the  case  and  his  Honor's  person,  the  petition  before  said 
Chamber  of  Amsterdam  and  to  recommend  It  most  favorably;  which  they  have 
undertaken  to  do  at  the  earliest  opportunity.  Whereupon  no  resolution  Is  adopted. 
—  Col.  Docs.   N.  Y.  1.  641. 

Court  Minutes  of  ^ew  Amsterdam. 

Repairs  of  the  Church. 

1656,  October  9. 

Evert  Duycklng  requests  by  petition  to  be  Informed,  from  whom  he  Is  to  receive 
payment  for  the  glass,  which  he  put  In  the  Church  for  Schout,  Burgomasters  and 
Schepens,  demanding  two  and  a  half  beavers  for  each.  Whereupon  the  Court 
decides,  that  petitioner  shall  go  to  each  one,  for  whom  the  glass  was,  for  his 
payment  either  In  trade  or  as  he  can  agree  for  the  same. —  Records  of  New 
Amsterdam,  Vol.  ii.    p.  183. 

Petition  of  the  Lutherans  to  the  Governor  and  Council, 
TO  BE  Permitted  to  Enjoy  Their  Own  Public  Worship, 
Oct.  24,  1656. 

To  the  ISToble,  Very  Worshipful,  the  Honorable  Director-General 
and  High  Council  of  IN'ew  l^etherland: 

We  the  united  adherents  of  the  Unaltered  Augsburg  Confession 
residing  here  in  'Ne^v  Xetherland,  with  all  respect,  do  show,  that 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  359 

we  have  obediently  acted  upon  your  Honors  prohibitive  order, 
published  by  edict,  and  have  not  gathered  anywhere  to  hold  divine 
services  with  reading  and  singing ;  nevertheless  our  friends  in  the 
Fatherland,  acting  in  our  behalf,  have  petitioned  the  Noble,  Hon- 
orable Lords  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  our  Patroons, 
in  reference  to  this  matter.  Upon  their  petition,  they  have  ob- 
tained from  their  Lordships,  as  they  report  to  us,  in  a  full  meet- 
ing, a  resolution  and  decree  that  the  doctrines  of  the  Unaltered 
Augsburg  Confession  should  be  tolerated  in  the  West  Indies  and 
New  Netherland  under  their  jurisdiction,  in  the  same  manner 
as  in  the  Fatherland  under  its  praiseworthy  government. 

We  turn  therefore  to  your  Noble  Honors,  your  Worships,  know- 
ing us  to  be  humble  and  obedient  subjects,  and  pray,  that  hence- 
forth we  may  not  be  hindered  in  our  services.  These  with  God's 
blessing  we  intend  to  celebrate,  with  prayer,  reading  and  singing, 
until,  as  we  hope  and  expect,  a  qualified  person  shall  come  next 
spring  from  the  Fatherland  to  be  our  minister  and  teacher,  and 
remain  here  as  such.  We  are  your  Honors  humble  and  faithful 
subjects,  who  await  your  favorable  answer. 

Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland 
this  24th  of  October  1656. 

Another  translation  in  O'Callaghan,  ii.  320. 

After  the  question  had  been  considered  the  following  answer 
was  made: 

This  will  be  sent  to  the  Lords  Directors  of  the  Privileged  West 
India  Company  by  the  first  ships,  and  their  further  orders  re- 
quested. Meanwhile  the  Director-General  and  Council  persist  in 
the  above  mentioned  order  and  placat,  issued  and  several  times 
renewed,  against  conventicles  and  public  gatherings,  except  those 
for  the  divine  service  of  the  here  prevailing  Keformed  Church. 
Neither  the  petitioners  nor  anybody  else  shall  meanwhile  suffer 
for  this  belief,  nor  be  prevented  each  in  his  family,  from  reading 
prayers,  thanksgivings  and  singing  according  to  their  faith. 


1656 


1656 


360  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Done  at  the  meeting  of  the  Director-General  and  Council,  held 
at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  the  24th  of  October  1656. 

After    comparison   with   the   original   petition    and    the   order 

thereon,  this  has  been  found  to  agree  therewith. 

Cornelius  van  Ruyven,  Secretary. 

8/8  1657.- 
Lutherans  in  New  Netherland. 

1656,  Nov.  7th. 

The  same  Revs.  Deputies  did  also  report  concerning  their  er- 
rand and  business  with  the  Messrs.  Directors  of  the  West  India 
Company,  as  well  as  with  the  gentlemen  appointed  a  committee 
on  behalf  of  the  city  of  Amsterdam ;  that  having  wished  them 
God's  blessing  in  reference  to  this  affair,  they  had  spoken  to  them 
about  the  Lutherans  and  others  in  New  Netherland ;  but  from 
all  the  circumstances,  they  could  only  learn  that  this  affair  is 
still  unsettled,  and  the  settlement  a  good  way  off ;  (lit.  raw  and  far 
to  be  sought.)  That  nothing  may  be  neglected  (wasted)  in  this 
matter,  the  Rev.  Brethren,  the  Deputies  are  enjoined  to  be  vigi- 
lant in  every  particular,     vi.  39. 

Court  Miistutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

Harmen  van  Hoboocken.     Rent  Allowed  for  a  School. 

1656,  November  7,   [or  Sept.  7?3 

To  the  Honorable  Lords  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  City  of  New  Amster- 
dam. Harmen  van  Hoboken,  Schoolmaster  of  this  City,  respectfully  requests  that 
your  Honours  would  be  pleased  to  grant  him  the  hall  and  the  side  room  for  the 
use  of  the  school  and  as  a  dwelling,  inasmuch  as  he,  the  petitioner,  does  not  know 
how  to  manage  for  the  proper  accommodation  of  the  children  during  winter,  for 
they  much  require  a  place  adapted  for  fire  and  to  be  warmed,  for  which  their 
present  tenement  is  wholly  unfit.  He,  the  petitioner,  burthened  with  a  wife  and 
children  is  greatly  in  need  of  a  dwelling  for  them;  and  his  wife  is  expected  from 
hour  to  hour  to  be  confined,  so  that  he  anticipates  great  inconvenience,  not  know- 
ing how  to  manage  for  the  accommodation  of  the  school  children;  and  if  your 
Honors  cannot  find  any,  he,  the  petitioner,  requests  your  Honors  to  be  pleased  to 
allow  him  the  rent  of  the  back  room  which  Geurt  Coerten  at  present  occupies, 
which  he,  petitioner,  would  freely  accept  for  the  present,  as  he  is  unable  to  pay 
so  heavy  a  rent  as  a  whole  house  amounts  to.  He  therefore  applies  to  your 
Honours,  expecting  hereupon  your  Honors  favorable  endorsement.     Was  subscribed. 

Your  Honors  Servant, 

Harm:  van  Hoboken.* 


♦  There  is  a  place  In  the  southwestern  part  of  Holland  called  Hoboocken,  and  a 
large  Dutch  family  called  by  the  name  of  Van  Hoboocken.    The  name  of  this  school- 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  361 

Dated  4  Nov.  1656. 

Endorsement. 

Whereas  the  City  Hall  of  this  City,  the  hall  and  little  room  whereof  the  peti- 
tioner now  requests  for  a  school  and  dwelling,  are  not  at  present  in  repair,  and 
are,  moreover,  required  for  other  purposes  the  same  cannot  be  allowed  him;  but 
in  order  that  the  youth,  who  are  here  quite  numerous,  may  have  the  means  of 
instruction  as  far  as  possible  and  as  the  circumstances  of  the  City  permit,  the 
petitioner,  for  want  of  other  lodgings,  is  allowed  to  rent  the  said  house  for  a 
school,  for  which  one  hundred  guilders  shall  be  paid  him  yearly  on  a/c  of  the  City 
for  the  present  and  until  further  order.     Done  in  Court  this  4th  November  1656. 

At  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland. 

Aliard    Anthony, 

Oloff  Stevensen, 

Jacob   Strycker, 

J.  Vinje, 

Will.    Beeckman, 

Hendrick  Kip. 

—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  ii.  pp.  219,  220.     Abridged  in  Dunshee,  26. 

Sentence  of  William  Hallett,  of  Flushing,  for  Allowing 

Baptist    Conventicles    in    Eis    House;    and    of   William 

wickendam  foe  officiating  as  mlnister  of  the  gospbl 

AT  Flushing. 

[Nov.  8,  11;  1656.] 

Whereas  William  Hallett,  born  in  Dorsetshire,  in  England,  about  forty  years  old, 
a  resident  of  the  village  of  Flushing,  and  now  a  prisoner,  has  had  the  audacity  to 
call  and  allow  to  be  called  conventicles  and  gatherings  at  his  house,  and  to  permit 
there,  in  contemptuous  disobedience  of  published  and  several  times  renewed  placats 
of  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland,  an  exegesis  and  inter- 
pretation of  God's  Holy  Word,  as  he  confesses;  the  administration  and  service  of 
the  sacraments  by  one  William  Wickendam,  while  the  latter,  as  he  ought  to  have 
known,  had  neither  by  ecclesiastical  nor  secular  authority  been  called  or  appointed 
thereto;  and  whereas  he  with  several  others  has  been  present  at  and  listened  to 
this  exegesis  and  interpretation  and  after  hearing  it  has  with  others  from  the 
hands  of  the  said  William  Wickendam  received  the  bread  in  the  form  and  manner, 
in  which  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  is  usually  celebrated  and  given;  all 
of  which  is  in  direct  contradiction  with  the  general  political  and  ecclesiastical 
rules  of  our  Fatherland,  and  especially  contrary  to  the  said  placats  of  the  Di- 
rector General  and  Council,  which  he  as  Schout  in  the  aforesaid  village  was  bound 
to  uphold  and  strictly  enforce;  which,  however,  he  has  not  only  failed  to  do,  but 
himself  has  trangressed  and  disobeyed. 

Therefore  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  the  New  Netherlands,  in  pur- 
suance of  the  tenor  of  the  said  placats,  first  dismiss  the  said  William  Hallett  from 
his  office  as  Schout  in  the  said  village  of  Vlissingen;  and  furthermore  condemn  him 
to  a  double  fine,  to  wit,  fifty  pounds  Flemish,  because  being  Schout  and  executive 
officer,  he  should  have  prevented  these  proceedings  and  enforced  the  placats  of  the 
Director  General  and  Council;  he  is  also  banished  from  this  Province  of  New 
Netherland,  and  shall  be  detained  in  prison,  until  the  said  fine  with  the  costs  and 
mises  of  law  incurred  in  this  case  have  been  paid. 

master  naturally  suggests  the  thought  that  the  city  of  Hoboken,  N.  J.,  obtained  its 
name  from  him.  But  Winfield,  in  his  history  of  Hudson  County,  N,  J.,  claims  for 
it  an  Indian  origin,  especially  since  the  deed  to  Michael  Pauw,  dated  as  early  as 
July  12,  1630,  for  Pavonia  describes  the  land  as  that  which  is  called  Hobocan-Hack- 
ingh,  and  says  Hobocan  means  a  tobacco-pipe. —  Winfield,  13-15. 


1656 


1656 


362  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Thus  decreed  and  sentenced  in  Council  of  Director  General  and  Council  at  Fort 
Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland  the  8th  of  November  1656. 

Whereas  William  Wickendam,  a  native  of  Oxfordshire  In  England,  forty  two 
years  old,  now  a  prisoner,  has  had  the  audacity  to  call  to  and  hold  conventicleK 
and  gatherings;  and  in  disobedience  of  published  and  repeatedly  renewed  placata 
of  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  has,  as  he  himself  con- 
fesses, usurped  the  office  of  Minister  of  the  Gospel  in  expounding  and  interpreting 
God's  Holy  Word  and  administering  and  officiating  in  the  Sacraments  of  Baptism 
and  the  Lord's  Supper,  without  being  called  or  appointed  thereto  by  any  ecclesi- 
astical rules  of  our  Fatherland;  and  especially  to  the  said  placats  of  the  Director 
General  and  Council,  expressly  forbidding  all  such  conventicles  and  gatherings, 
public  or  private,  except  the  usual  meetings,  w^hlch  are  not  only  lawfully  permitted, 
but  also  based  upon  God's  Word  and  ordered  for  the  service  of  God,  if  they  are 
held,  conform  to  the  Synod  of  Dort  here,  in  our  Fatherland  and  in  other  Churches 
of  the  Reformed  Faith  in  Europe. 

Therefore  the  said  William  Wickendam,  in  pursuance  of  the  said  placats,  Is 
condemned  to  a  fine  of  one  hundred  pounds  Flemish  and  is  banished  from  this 
Province  of  New  Netherland;  but  to  remain  in  prison,  until  the  said  fine  with  the 
costs  and  mises  of  law.  Incurred  in  his  case,  shall  have  been  paid. 

Thus  decreed  and  sentenced  In  Council,  etc.,  the  8th  of  November  1656. 

Whereas  the  Director  General  and  Council  have  been  credibly  informed  and  told, 
that  the  aforesaid  William  Wickendam  is  a  very  poor  man  with  a  wife  and  several 
children,  and  a  cobbler  by  trade,  to  which  he  does  not  properly  attend,  so  that 
nothing  can  be  obtained  from  him. 

Therefore  the  Director  General  and  Council  have  remitted  the  aforesaid  fine  of 
six  hundred  florins  and  allowed  him  to  remove,  on  condition,  that  If  he  is  caught 
here  again,  he  must  pay  it. 

November  11th,  1656.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  369,  370. 


Letter  from  Domine  Polhemius  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ; 
compi^inin^g  that  his  house  is  not  inhabitable. 

Noble  Sir,  Honorable  General  in  New  Netherland. 

I  am  compelled  to  respectfully  complain  to  your  honor,  that  I  must  see  the 
planks,  given  by  your  honor  out  of  compassion  and  presented  to  the  community 
here  to  finish  my  house  against  this  cold  winter,  being  taken  and  lost  this  way 
or  that;  for  Instance  two  were  lost  on  the  way  here  by  having  been  left  on  the 
beach  In  nobody's  care:  after  having  been  brought  Into  the  village  without  my 
knowledge,  twenty  four  were  delivered  to  Jan  Eversen  Meyer;  six  were  put  down 
at  the  Church  for  benches;  of  the  balance  sixty  nine  were  taken  away  with  the 
consent  of  Jan  Snedicker  and  Jan  Strycker;  seventeen  carried  to  Thomas  Swart- 
wout  and  his  brother  Aldert  Swartwout  to  dry  malt;  so  that  my  house  remains 
open  as  it  was  and  I  with  my  wife  and  children  must  live  and  sleep  on  the  bare 
ground  and  in  the  cold.  They  say,  there  is  no  carpenter  here,  that  I  should 
procure  one  to  have  the  work  done.  In  order  not  to  make  my  situation  worse  by 
keeping  silence,  I  write  this  to  your  Honor. 

In  haste, 

Your  Honor's  obedient  servant, 

Joh.   Th.   Polheym. 

Mldwout,  the  14th  of  December  1656. 

To  his  Honor,  General  P.  Stuy vesant,  at  New  Amsterdam. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xIt. 
370,  371. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  363 

Extract  from  a  Letter  of  the  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  : 
Settlers  to  Dwell  iisr  Villages  ;  Delegations  to  E^ew  Eng- 
land ;  Tenths  ;  Rensselaerswyck  ;  Revenues  ;  Frenchmen 
Among  the  Indians. 


1656 


The  report  made  to  you  there,  that  some  Frenchmen  with  a  Jesuit  from  Canada 
hare  come  into  the  country  of  the  aforesaid  Sennequens,  and  began  to  make  a 
settlement  there,  was  not  agreeable  news  to  us,  for  it  can  only  be  to  the  disad- 
vantage of  our  Province  and  the  inhabitants.  However  we  have  not  as  yet  deemed 
it  advisable  to  come  to  a  final  resolution  in  this  matter,  as  being  premature  and 
the  matter  perhaps  of  small  consequence  only,  until  we  are  better  informed  about 
It;  we  desire  you  to  make  a  close  investigation  and  report  the  result  of  it  to  us, 
while  you  must  take  care  and  make  arrangements  for  the  security  of  Fort  Orange, 
that  no  mishap  befall  us  there. 


We  should  have  sent  you,  as  requested  by  the  inhabitants  of  Fort  Orange  and 
Beverwyck,  the  little  bell  for  their  new  church;  also  two  others  for  the  villages 
of  Hempstead  and  Midwout,  but  as  they  could  not  be  found  ready  made  and  the 
time  for  making  them  is  too  short,  you  will  have  to  wait  till  the  spring. 


December  19,  1656.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  371,  374. 

Letter  from  Dir.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistrates  of  Mid- 
wout About  the  Minister's  House. 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful.  When  last  with  you  in  Breuckelen  at  the  house  of 
Albert  Cornelissen  it  was  agreed  in  parting,  by  mutual  consent  and  approbation  of 
yourselves  and  the  other  delegates  from  the  villages  of  Breuckelen  and  Amesfoort, 
that  you  should  together  make  an  estimate  of  the  funds,  out  of  which  the  preacher. 
Domine  Polheym,  was  to  be  paid  and  placed  above  want  and  report  it  to  us  and 
the  Council  within  eight  days.  As  this  time  has  passed  and  we  are  not  yet  in- 
formed of  the  result,  we  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  remind  you  of  it  through  the 
Schout  and  this  open  letter,  that  you  fulfill  your  promise;  else  we  shall  be  com- 
pelled by  our  ofllcial  position  and  duties  to  take  steps  and  give  such  orders  and 
provide  for  such  means,  that  the  Minister  be  duly  paid  and  placed  above  want. 
The  said  Domine  Polheym,  who  was  then  present,  complained  further  of  the  un- 
inhabitable state  and  inconvenience  of  his  dwelling  house,  which  has  as  yet  neither 
ceiling  or  wainscotting,  so  that  he  and  his  family  are  compelled  to  sleep  on  the 
floor.  The  winter  being  imminent,  this  is  unbearable  and  improper,  and  in  order 
to  remedy  it  we  sent  you  for  the  ceiling  and  wainscotting  of  the  house  one  hun- 
dred hemlock  planks,  which  parties  deputed  by  you  received  and  carried  to  my 
brother's-in-law  Backer's  house.  I  am  however  credibly  informed  now,  that  the 
said  boards  have  not  been  used  for  the  purpose  intended  by  us,  but  that  the  Com- 
missaries dispose  of  them  privately  according  to  their  pleasure;  for  instance,  so 
I  am  told,  twenty  four  have  been  given  to  the  hired  man  of  Jan  Evertsen;  six 
ordered  to  be  cut  up  for  benches,  seventeen  given  by  Jan  Snedicker  to  the  Swart- 
wouts,  so  that  the  boards  disappear  here  and  there,  while  nothing  whatever  is 
done  to  finish  the  Minister's  house,  which  is  most  urgent  to  do,  the  winter  being 
so  near  at  hand.  We  command  therefore  herewith,  that  the  boards  be  brought 
together  again  upon  receipt  hereof,  and  put  to  their  proper  use  and  to  no  other. 


1656 


364  Ecclesiastical  Records 

as  we  have  ordered.  If  yon  fail  herein,  we  shall  take  proper  measures:  where- 
upon relying,  we  commend  you  all  with  the  usual  greetings  to  God's  protection^ 
and  remain, 

P.    Stuyvesant. 

Done  at  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland  the  21st  of  December,  1656. —  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.  xiv.  376. 

Petition  of  Domine  Polhemius  for  an  Advance  of  His  Salary 
TO  Enable  Him  to  Pay  foe  a  Parcel  of  Land. 

To  their  Noble  Honors,  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director  General  and  Council  of  New 
Netherland:  Shows  with  due  reverence  Johannes  Theod.  Polheym,  preacher,  that 
he,  the  petitioner,  has  some  time  ago  bought  from  Cornells  Aerssen  a  parcel  of 
land  lying  in  the  village  of  Midwout,  to  better  provide  thereby  for  himself  and  his 
family,  hoping,  when  the  time  for  payment  came,  to  be  in  a  condition  to  pay  for 
it:  but  as  the  petitioner  has  been  disappointed  in  this  hope,  because  his  salary  Is 
not  paid  as  he  expected,  and  as  a  payment  of  one  hundred  florins  has  become 
due,  the  petitioner  finds  himself  compelled,  nay,  forced  to  turn  respectfully  to  your 
Honors  and  to  request,  that  your  Honors  will  be  pleased  to  pay  for  his  account, 
debiting  the  same  for  it,  so  much  to  Cornells  Aerssen.  Awaiting  a  favorable 
decision  he  commends  your  Honors  to  God's  protection  and  remain. 

Your  Honors  servant, 

Joh.  Th.   Polheym. 

December  21st,  1656.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  377. 

Journal. —  Of  Brian  ISTuton,  Capt.  Lieutenant  ;  Cornelis 
VAN  RuYVEN  Secretary  and  Carel  van  Brugge  Commissary, 
Appointed  by  the  Heer  Director-General  Stuyvesant  to 
GO  IN  A  Boat  a  Second  Time  to  Oost-Dorp. 

\  ,  Anno  1656,   29th  December. 

Having  received  our  instructions  from  the  Heer  General  we  rowed  out  with  the 
boat  of  the  Honorable  Company's  ship  from  before  Fort  Amsterdam  on  the  80 
ditto,  about  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  proceed  on  our  Journey  to  Oostdorp, 
accompanied  by  Claes  Bordingh  as  pilot,  as  the  Company's  Skipper  was  never 
through  Hell-gate,  and  the  Skipper  of  the  Company's  bark  and  a  sailor  to  row  ns 
thither. 


On  our  arrival  at  John  Lords  we  communicated  to  him  the  object  of  our  Journey, 
and  requested  him  to  have  the  inhabitants  summoned  in  the  morning  at  daylight 
by  an  Indian.  He  answered  us  —  'Tis  our  Sabbath  morning;  the  Inhabitants  will 
not  come.  We  asked  him  to  learn  the  opinions  of  the  principal  settlers  at  once, 
as  we  could  explain  our  business  in  half  an  hour,  without  hindering  their  service. 
Which  he  proceeded  to  do.  But  brought  us  for  answer.  No  —  that  they  were  in 
no  way  so  inclined.  Although  we  would  fain  reach  home  by  Sunday  noon,  we  were 
obliged  to  remain  there  until  Monday,  as  they  would  nol  be  prevailed  on  to 
assemble  on   Sunday. 

31st  ditto.     Sunday. 

Went  to  examine  the  village  somewhat.  It  Is  a  very  stony  place,  thickly  covered 
with  trees.  At  noon  were  invited  to  dine  at  Mr.  Newmans.  After  dinner  Corneljs 
van  Ruyven  went  to  the  house  where  they  assemble  on  Sundays,  to  observe  their 
mode  of  worship,  as  they  have  not  as  yet  any  clergyman.    There  I  found  a  gather- 


OF  THE  State  of  jSTew  Yokk. 


365 


Ing  of  about  fifteen  men  ten  or  twelve  women.  Mr.  Baly  made  a  prayer,  which 
being  concluded,  one  Kobbert  Basset  read  a  sermon  from  a  printed  Booli  composed 
and  published  by  an  English  Minister  in  England.  After  the  reading  Mr.  Baly 
made  another  prayer  and  they  sung  a  Psalm  and  separated.  In  the  evening  we 
were  Invited  to  supper  to  Robbert  Basset's,  and  having  taken  our  leave  we  went 
to  sleep  at  John  Lord's  house:  neither  he  nor  any  of  the  members  of  his  family 
came  home  this  night,  which  much  surprised  us. —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  557,  558. 


1656 


This  first  January  Anno  1657:  In  east  towne  in  the  New  Netherlands. 

Wee  hose  hands  are  under  writen  do  promes  to  oune  the  governor  of  the  manatas 
as  our  governor  and  obay  all  his  magastrates  and  lawes  that  are  made  acordin  to 
god  so  long  as  we  live  in  his  Jurisdiction. 


Robbert  Basset 

his 
George    X    Reitli 

mark 
John  Finch 
John  Wilson 
Richard  Horton 
Thomas  Taylor 

His 
Hendrick    X   Cornelyssen 

mark 
Thamis  Martin 


Nick  Lookerly 
John  Quimble 
Joslah  Gilber 
Obodiah  Gilbert 
Jonathan  Llockwood 

his 
Robert  X  Meacker 
mark 
his 
Jeffi^'ey  X  Fferris 
mark 
—  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  559. 


Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Midwout  for  Power  to 
Make  an  Assessment  to  Pay  Their  Minister,  to  Farm  the 
Excise,  etc.,  and  Order  Thereon. 

To  their  Noble  Honors,  Director  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  the  Council  of 
New  Netherland.  Show  with  great  humility  and  due  respect  the  delegated  Schepens 
of  the  jurisdiction  of  Midwout,  that  pursuant  to  the  resolution,  adopted  by  the 
Honorable  Director  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  after  consultation  with  and  with 
the  assent  of  the  Courts  of  Breuckelen,  Midwout  and  Amesfoort  on  the  29th  of 
December  1656  last  past,  the  inhabitants  of  Midwout  were  to  contribute  to  the 
yearly  salary,  promised  to  the  Reverend  pastor,  Domine  J.  Theodorus  Polhemius, 
four  hundred  florins,  those  of  Breuckelen  three  hundred  florins  and  Amesfoort  a 
like  sum  of  three  hundred  florins.  That  after  several  meetings,  they  could  find  no 
other  way,  than  to  impose  upon  each  lot  and  parcel  of  land,  of  which  there  are 
about  forty  in  Midwout,  a  tax  of  ten  florins  yearly  is  proportioned.  This  tax  of 
ten  florins  yearly  for  every  lot  proportionally  would  make  up  the  sum  of  four 
hundred  florins,  which  we  of  the  Court  of  Midwout  have  promised  in  presence  of 
the  Honorable  Director  General  to  contribute  to  the  yearly  pay  of  the  said  Domine 
Polhemius.  But  as  every  one  of  the  inhabitants  and  neighbors  has  not  the  same 
amount  of  property,  one  having  less,  the  other  more,  we  must  and  cannot  tax  all 
alike,  but  each  in  proportion  to  his  property  and  real  estate.  If  we  receive  your 
Honors'  approbation  to  such  a  cotization  and  tax  up  to  four  hundred  florins  for 
the  yearly  pay  of  the  said  Domine  Polhemius,  we  promise  to  levy  it  directly  and 
continue  in  it,  each  according  to  his  ability  and  to  make  the  assessment  con- 
scientiously, provided  we  are  supported  by  your  Honors  against  unwilling  parties, 
which  we  hope  will  not  make  any  opposition.  We  promise  also,  to  take  care  and 
pay  attention,  that  at  the  expiration  of  each  six  months  the  salary  then  due  shall 
be  paid  to  Domine  Polhemius  and  we  think,  that  the  said  Domine  Polhemius  might 
be  satisfied  with  it. 


January  13,  1657.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  379,  380. 


1657 


366  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Amesfoort,  Praying  Con- 
firmation OF  AN  Assessment  for  the  Minister's  Salary; 
Granted. 

;  [Jan.  13,  1657.] 

To  their  Noble  Honors,  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director  General  and  the  Council  of 
New  Netherland:  Show  respectfully  and  with  due  reverence,  the  delegated  Schepens 
of  the  village  of  Amesfoort,  as  well  in  their  official  capacity  as  Individually,  that 
pursuant  to  the  resolution,  adopted  In  the  presence  of  the  Honorable  Director  Gen- 
eral, Petrus  Stuyvesant,  on  the  29th  of  December  1656,  last  past,  after  conferring 
with,  and  with  the  consent  of,  the  Courts  of  Breuckelen,  Midwout  and  Amesfoort, 
we  considered  It  determined,  that  we  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the  said  village  of 
Amesfoort  should  In  proportion  to  our  neighbors  of  the  villages  and  jurisdictions 
of  Breuckelen  and  Midwout  find  and  raise  as  our  quota  of  the  annual  salary  and 
pay  promised  to  the  Reverend  preacher  Domine  J.  Theodorus  Polhemius  the  sum 
of  three  hundred  guilders.  After  several  considerations  and  deliberations,  con- 
ferring also  with  the  congregation  and  inhabitants,  under  correction,  we  have,  in 
order  to  raise  the  aforesaid  three  hundred  florins  in  the  easiest  way,  appraised 
and  assessed  the  property  of  each  person  conscientiously  and  to  the  best  of  our 
knowledge  and  made  the  cotisation  and  taxlevy,  here  below  given  In  detail,  which 
with  what  some  parties  from  Gravesend  have  voluntarily  promised  to  contribute, 
will  make  up  the  sum  of  three  hundred  florins.  When  we  shall  have  received  your 
Honors'  approbation  we  promise  to  carry  it  out,  hoping  for  your  Honors'  assistance 
against  a  few,  say  two  or  three,  evil  minded  persons,  who  might  oppose  and  resist 
our  good  intention  and  project. 

The  persons  assessed  and  provisionally  taxed  for  the  contribution  of  the  said 
three  hundred  florins  are  the  following: 

Peter  Classen  promises  to  pay   20  florins 

Marten  Jansen  likewise 20 

Elbert  Elbertsen  is  taxed 32 

Jorls  Jacobsen 20 

Cornells  DIrcksen 20 

Jan  Leyck 16 

Albert   Bestevaer's  farmer  .  20 

Hendrick  Pietersen 10 

Peter  RoelofEsen 10 

Hendrick  Cornelissen 10 

Hans  Jansen 16 

Jan  Claesen 16 

Cornells  Antonisen 10 

Roeloff  Cornelissen 10 

Jacob  Pietersen 6 

Peter  Cornelissen 16 

Harpert  Claesen 15 

267  florins 

Commending  ourselves  to  your  Honors'  good  favor,  we,  the  Magistrates  of  Ames- 
foort, await  most  humbly  your  Honors'  favorable  decree,  which  doing  etc. 

Your  Honors'  humble  and  obedient  servants, 
The  Magistrates  of  Amesfoort 
By  Order 

Peter  Tonneman,  Secretary. 


t< 


(t 


<< 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  367 

On  the  13th  of  January,  1657,  at  Amesfoort  on  Long  Island,  in  New  Netherland. 

Having  received  and  road  the  foregoing  petition  of  the  Court  of  Amesfoort,  dated 
the  13th  of  the  month  of  January,  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New 
Netherland  find  the  request  therein  contained  to  be  just,  and  therefore  the  said 
Magistrates  of  Amesfoort  are  authorized  to  carry  out  their  tax  levy  and  to  proceed 
legally  against  renitent  parties. 

Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  the  IGth  of  January  1657. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  378,  379. 

Petition  of  the  IIagisteates  of  Brooklyn  Against  the  As- 
sessment FOE  THE  Minister's  Salary  and  Objecting  to  the 
Appointment  of  Rev.  Polhemius. 

(  [Jan.  16,  1657.] 

Noble,    Very    Worshipful,    Very   Learned,    Wise    and    Prudent,    Honorable    Director 
General  in  New  Netherland  etc.     Very  Worshipful  Sir: 

Pursuant  to  the  resolution  adopted  by  your  Honor  on  the  29th  of  November 
(sic:)  last  past  at  Breuckelen  in  our  meeting,  the  delegates  from  Midwout  and 
Amesfoort  being  present,  Midwout  was  to  contribute  to  the  yearly  salary  of  the 
Rev.  Domine  Polhemius  four  hundred  florins,  Breuckelen  three  hundred  florins  and 
Amesfoort  three  hundred  florins  which  we  then  thought  a  heavy  tax  and  took  in 
consideration  to  Inform  and  submit  to  your  Honor  our  decision  after  having  made 
our  calculation.  Now  we,  your  Honor's  humble  servants,  the  Magistrates  of 
Breuckelen,  report  and  submit  to  your  Honor  the  impossibility  to  contribute  yearly 
three  hundred  guilders,  because  this  sum  cannot  well  be  collected  from  a  weak  and 
impoverished  community,  many  members  of  which  have  suffered  great  losses  and 
damages  in  the  times  of  war  through  surprises  by  the  Indians  and  otherwise, 
which  have  disabled  them.  With  the  best  they  can  do,  some  will  not  be  able  to 
raise  what  they  would  like  to  contribute;  nor  has  the  said  Domine  Polhemius  ever 
been  called  or  engaged  by  us  as  pastor,  but  he  has  intruded  here  against  our 
wishes,  desiring  to  preach  in  the  public  street  in  the  open  air;  on  account  of 
which  the  house  of  the  Schepen  Joris  Dircksen  here  in  Breuckelen  was  provision- 
ally given  him  to  avoid  giving  offence  to  any  one.  The  burghers  and  inhabitants 
of  Breuckelen  generally  and  the  neighbors  say,  that  for  such  meager  and  unsatis- 
factory service  as  they  have  had  hitherto,  even  if  they  could,  they  would  not 
resolve  to  contribute  anything,  for  during  the  two  weeks  he  comes  here  only  for 
a  quarter  of  an  hour  on  Sunday  afternoon,  gives  us  only  a  prayer  instead  of  a 
sermon,  from  which  we  learn  and  understand  little  and  when  we  think,  that  the 
prayer  or  sermon,  whatever  it  be  called,  is  beginning,  it  is  already  over,  so  that 
he  gives  small  edification  to  the  congregation.  It  has  happened  to  us  only  on  the 
Sunday  before  Christmas,  the  24th  of  December  last,  that  in  place  of  a  sermon, 
which  we  had  expected  to  have,  we  had  to  listen  to  a  prayer  so  short,  that  It 
was  over,  before  we  had  collected  our  thought;  it  was  also  nearly  evening,  before 
he,  Polhemius,  came  over,  so  that  he  had  really  not  much  time  and  was  compelled 
to  break  off  and  leave  hastily  to  return  home,  and  this  was  all  the  edification  — 
little  enough  —  which  we  have  had  during  the  Christmas  holidays.  We  maintain 
therefore,  that  we  shall  enjoy  the  same,  if  not  more  edification  by  appointingr 
some  one  of  our  midst  to  read  a  sermon  from  a  book  of  homilies  (buys  postille) 
every  Sunday,  than  we  have  hitherto  received  by  the  sermon  or  prayer  of  said 
Domine  Polhemius. 

We  do  not  intend,  however,  by  this  our  request  and  remonstrance  anything 
to  the  dishonor  of  the  said  Polhemius  or  to  the  injury  of  his  good  reputation, 
but  say  only,  that  his  great  age  is  the  cause  of  all  and  that  his  faculties  are 
evidently  not  what  they  were  formerly;  we  see  also,  that  Polhemius  is  not  deficient 
in  good  will,  but  as  he  has  not  been  called  by  us,  we  cannot  conclude  to  con- 
tribute to  his  support  aside  from  our  Inability  already  explained  and  submitted 
to   your  Honor.     Although   we,   the  Magistrates   of    Breuckelen,   have  resolved   to 


1657 


1657 


368  Ecclesiastical  Records 

contribute  to  the  salary  of  the  said  Polhemlus,  the  congregation  here  cannot  come 
to  such  a  resolution,  as  there  are  many,  who  cannot  make  any  contribution  and 
whom  It  would  be  more  necessary  to  support;  there  are  besides  many  bouweries 
unoccupied  and  vacant,  for  instance  that  of  Mr.  Paulis,  the  one  of  Frerick 
Lubbertsen  on  the  strand,  while  a  very  simple  and  poor  man  lives  on  his  other 
bouwery,  who  is  also  unable  to  give  anything,  and  Lodwyck  lives  upon  the  Poor 
Bouwery  while  his  lot  is  vacant,  the  same  as  Peter  Cornelissen's,  Elbert  Elbert- 
sen's,  the  land  of  Black  Hans,  Grabiels  land,  Peter  Mallemocque,  Peter  Manlst, 
Jean  Martyn  and  others  more  of  whom  there  is  quite  a  number.  From  the  fore- 
going your  Honor  may  well  consider  and  conclude,  what  can  be  raised  and  given 
here  and  although  every  one  shall  be  assessed  by  us  and  put  on  the  tax  list, 
nobody  will  be  able  to  resolve  to  contribute  anything  for  such  slender  services, 
as  we  have  hitherto  enjoyed.  We  finally  submit  with  due  respect,  that  whereas 
the  people  of  Midwout  have  engaged  Polhemlus  alone  without  our  knowledge  or 
consent,  we  are  very  willing  and  well  satisfied,  that  the  Midwout  people  shall 
enjoy  the  services  of  Domine  Polhemlus  alone.  If  the  Domlne  wishes  again  to 
perform  the  service  and  prayer  instead  of  a  service  as  formerly,  we  shall  not 
be  bound  by  it  to  anything,  except  to  what  from  inclination  and  free  and  un- 
biased will  may  be  added  to  his  salary,  as  several  among  us  here  are  well  inclined 
to  him,  although  we  do  not  enjoy  his,  Polhemlus',  services.  Closing  herewith  we 
commend  your  Honor  to  the  gracious  protection  of  the  Almighty  and  wish  a 
Happy  New  Year  besides  a  prosperous  and  blessed  administration  until  the  end, 
and  commending  ourselves  to  your  Honor's  good  favor  we  are  and  remain 
Your  Honorable  Worship's  humble  servants  The  Magistrates  of  Breuckelen, 

Albert    Cornelissen, 
Joris  Dircke, 

Willem  Bredenbent. 
By  their  order, 

Peter  Tonneman,   Secretary. 

Breuckelen,  January  1657. 

After  having  read  the  foregoing  letter  the  following  answer  was  made: 

Mr.  Tonneman  is  hereby  commissioned  by  the  Director  General  and  Council  to 
remind  the  people  of  Breuckelen  once  more  to  fulfill  their  obligation  and  promise 
concerning  the  salary  of  their  pastor,  Domine  Polhemlus,  else  the  Director  General 
and  Council  will  give  such  orders  and  make  such  dispositions  as  are  necessary. 
Date  as  above  (16th  of  January  1657.)  —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  380,  381,  382. 

Letter  of  the  JMagisteates  of  Bkookly^n  to  the  Dieector 
AND  Council  About  the  Salary  of  Their  Minister. 

Noble,  Worshipful,  Honorable,  Very  Learned,  Wise  and  Prudent,  your  Honors 
the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland.  Gentlemen:  We  respect- 
fully submit  as  our  answer  to  the  decision  made  by  your  Honors  on  the  16th  of 
January  of  this  year  1657,  by  which  we  were  to  find  means  to  supply  the  amount 
of  three  hundred  florins  yearly  for  the  salary,  promised  without  our  consent  and 
knowledge  by  the  people  of  Midwout  and  Amesfoort  to  the  Rev.  Domine  Pol- 
hemlus, that  we  of  the  Court  of  Breuckelen  do  not  know,  that  we  have  evei> 
promised  or  agreed  to  pay  anything,  but  requested  only  time  to  gather  informa- 
tion and  make  a  calculation,  whether  it  was  feasible  and  means  might  be  found; 
that  we  fear  and  apprehend,  it  cannot  be  done  in  so  weak  and  impoverished 
a  congregation,  as  ours  and  the  neighborhood.  It  was  not  our  iutention  or  wish, 
to  be  constrained  thereto  by  the  Director  General  and  Council  and  therefore, 
not  desiring  to  oppose  the  Director  and  Council  herein,  we  have  resolved  at 
last  to  collect  and  contribute  the  said  three  hundred  florins,  how  or  where  ever 
we  might  be  able  to  collect  it,  on  condition  that  from  the  expiration  of  the 
first  year  of  Domine   Polhemlus'   engagement,   which  is  on  the  7th  of  April  1657, 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  369 

we  shall  be  excused  for  this  and  the  following  years,  unless  in  the  meantime  we 
should  hear  of  improvements  and  favorable  changes  (God  grant  it)  here  in  this 
country  and  the  Fatherland,  as  we  hope,  when  we  shall  make  a  proper  agree- 
ment with  Domine  Polhemius  and  promise  to  fulfill  our  former  conditions,  to 
which  we  have  bound  ourselves,  but  we  cannot  engage  ourselves  for  subsequent 
and  more  years  as  above  stated. 

Closing  herewith   we  commend  your   Honors  to  the   gracious   protection   of   God 
wishing  a  prosperous  and   happy   administration   until  the  end  and  commend   our- 
selves to   your   Honors'   good   favors,   with  which   we  are  and   remain, 
Your  Honors'  humble  servants,  the  Schepens  of  the  Court  of  Breuckelen. 

Albert   Cornelissen. 
/  Joris  Dircksen, 

The  mark  X  of  Jooris  Rapallhe, 

William  Bredenbent. 
3y  their   order, 

Peter  Tonneman,    Secretary. 

(January,  1657.)  —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  382,  383. 

Petition  of  Inhabitants  of  Middlebokough  (ISTewtown)  L. 
I. ,  About  the  PIouse  Built  for  Their  Pastor.  Order  of 
the  Director  Thereon. 

To  the  honorable  gouernor  worthie  ser  we  whose  names  are  underwritten 
desire  to  make  our  humble  requests  knowen,  in  respect  to  the  house  bulded  here 
by  the  towne  of  Midleburrough  for  publicke  use  for  a  minister  for  continewance 
and  some  of  the  towne  hath  given  it  away  to  mr  more  for  his  owne  proprietie; 
and  his  affer  him  wherein  we  thinke  we  are  wronged  and  the  towne  left  destitute 
if  mr  more  please  to  leave  us  or  if  he  should  die  for  we  know  men  are  mortal 
we  are  to  seke  both  for  minister  and  house  to  entertaine  him  into  therefore  we 
doe  humbly  entreat  your  Honor  that  you  would  be  pleased  to  take  it  into  con- 
sideration and  accordingly  Judge  the  equitie  of  the  thing  and  the  damage  that 
may  ensew;  thus  leauing  you  to  God  and  his  grace  we  rest. 

John  Burroughes. 

The  mark    XL    of  John  Laiton 
The  mark   RP    of  Robert  Pudington 

Francis  Swaine 
The  mark  of  Thomas  Hornish 

The  mark     E     of  Nikles  Carter 

Samuell  Coe. 
Janeuarles  the  22nd  (sic.)  1657. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  383. 

Anno    1657,    25   January. 
Answer  to  the  foregoing  writing. 

Whereas  Wee  ware  informed  that  the  house  ofE  the  Minister  (being  bild  for 
a  publicq  use  and  successively  for  the  Ministerij:)  by  som  ofC  the  inhabitance  off 
the  Towne  off  Middleborch  was  disposed  off,  and  given  unto  Meester  More,  for 
his  private  use,  it  beeingh  soo,  as  wee  doe  not  hope,  or  thinke,  then  this  are  to 
require  the  Magistraats  off  the  said  Towne,  to  make  their  appijrance  before  us, 
for  to  give  information  and  reasons,  uppon  wath  Grounds,  and  Wherefore  it  was 
done  alsoo;  In  the  mayntyme  the  Magistraats  are  required  and  ordered  to  pro- 
ceed no  further  against  the  bearer  John  Layton.     Soe  after  mee  Love  ij  rest. 

I  Your  friend  and   Gouvnernr. 

Port  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  384. 

24 


1657 


1657 


370  Ecclesiastical  Eecoeds 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

Feb.  ?  1657. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Church  of  I^ew  Amsterdam, 
Feb.  15,  1657.  (According  to  Dr.  Thos.  De  Witt,  Dec.  15,  1656). 
Keferred  to  in  letter  of  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  of  Aug.  5,  1657. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

(Gouwester.     New  Xetherland.) 

1657,  Feb.  12th. 

Jacob  Pietersen  Gouwester,  living  in  the  Boomdwars  straat, 
next  to  the  King  Solomon  (straat)  desired  to  go  to  the  East  Indies 
or  to  'New  Xetherland.  He  gave  good  satisfaction  in  everything. 
XX.  368. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1657,  March  6. 
Rev.  John  Megapolensis  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

March  6th,  1657. 
Administrative  Minutes  of  ^JsTew  Amsterdam. 

Election    of   a   Church  Master. 

1657,    March   8. 

Whereas  according  to  extracts  from  the  Resolves  of  the  Honorable  Director 
General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  dated  6th  March  of  this  year  Pleter 
Tonneman  is  elected  from  those  nominated  by  Burgomasters  and  Churchmasters 
in  place  of  the  retiring  Nicasius  de  Silla,  the  said  Tonneman  is  therefore  hereby 
requested  and  authorized  to  attend  to  and  fill  the  said  ofQce  of  Churchmaster  for 
the  ensuing  year  with  Govert  Loockermans.  Done  this  Sth  March  1657,  at  the 
Court  of  Burgomasters  of  this  City  of  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland. —  Records 
of  New  Amsterdam,  vol.  vii.  p.  142. 

Administrative  Minutes  of  ITew  Amsterdam. 

Accounts  of  Churchmasters. 

1657,    March    9. 

Whereas  one  Churchmaster  is  retired  and  another  having  been  appointed  in 
his  stead,  it  is  customary  according  to  the  practice  of  our  Fatherland,  that  a/c 
be  rendered  of  their  administration;  Burgomasters  have  resolved  to  communicate 
it  to  the  Honorable  General,  to  know  whether  a/c  shall  be  rendered  to  his  Honor, 
or  to  the  Burgomasters, —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  vol.  vii.  p.  144. 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  371 

Resolutions  of  the  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Amster- 
dam Respecting  New  Amstel,  Delaware. 

1657,   March  9. 

The  Directors  of  the  new  Colonic  in  New  Netherland  have  stated,  through  the 
Burgomasters,  that  they  had  collected  about  three  hundred  Colonists,  and  there- 
fore requested  permission  to  engage  a  Minister,  and  to  employ  one  of  the  city's 
ships  for  their  conveyance,  and  for  the  advancement  of  everything,  to  be  allowed 
to  raise  the  sum  of  thirty  six  thousand  guilders.  Which,  being  considered,  it 
is  resolved  that  the  city's  ship  called  de  Wage  be  employed  for  that  purpose,  a 
Minister  engaged,  and  the  aforesaid  sum  of  thirty  six  thousand  guilders  borrowed 
by  them  either  from  the  Orphans  Chamber  or  the  Exchange  Bank,  according  as 
the  Burgomasters  deem  proper.  It  is,  also,  further  resolved  that  the  Treasurers 
be  requested  to  pay  attention  to  the  employment  of  this'  and  the  foregoing 
moneys,   and  to   keep   the   account   of  the  one  and  the  other. —  Col.    Docs.   N.   Y. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Xew  Colony  in  Xew  E'etherland. —  Call  of  a  Minister  to  Xew 

J^etherland. 

1657,  March  19th. 

In.  pnrsnance  of  the  request  (lit.  outwriting)  of  this  Classis, 
Rev.  Deputati  ad  caiisas  Indicas  have  rendered  a  report  and  ac- 
count (opening)  of  the  entire  situation  of  the  Church  of  the  N^ew 
Colony  (on  the  Delaware)  in  New  Netherland;  that  other  relig- 
ions, and  especially  the  Lutheran,  have  crept  in  there,  and  what 
efforts  they  had  made  about  this  affair  in  respect  to  the  Burgo- 
masters and  the  committee  of  the  Directors  ad  hanc  causam;  and 
that  finally,  after  all  their  efforts  they  had  secured  consent  to  call 
a  competent  and  ordained  minister  and  to  send  him  to  those 
regions. 

The  Rev.  Assembly  took  this  matter  into  serious  consideration 
and  exercise,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  as  to  what  person  would 
best  be  invited  and  called  for  this  purpose.  After  mature  con- 
sideration of  QYery  point,  it  was  resolved  to  find  out  (to  cast  the 
eye  upon)  some  ordained  minister.  The  Rev.  Assembly  at  length 
let  its  eye  fall  with  favor  upon  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Mullerius.  He 
was  waited  on,  (saluted)  and  spoken  to  as  to  his  inclination.  He 
declared  himself  disinclined  to  undertake  such  a  call  and  journey. 


1657 


1667 


372  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

The  Eev.   Assembly  then  suffered  its  thoughts  to  turn  towards 

other  candidates.     Having  invited  several  to  appear  before  them, 

who  also  came,  and  after  calling  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  the 

Rev.  Everardus  Welius  was  finally  called.     The  call  having  been 

accepted  by  him,  his  examination  was  set  for  the  lOth  of  April. 

He  will  expound  (preach)  Psalm  127.     verse  1.    vi.  39-40.    xix. 

41. 

The  Lutherans  in  'New  ISTetherland. 

1657,  March  19th. 

Whereas  the  Lutherans  in  ISTew  Amsterdam,  and  principally 
in  ISTew  Netherland,  are  strengthening  themselves  and  are  putting 
forth  every  effort  to  establish  their  position  (lit.  foot),  and  Forms 
of  worship,  therefore  did  the  Rev.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  re- 
port their  heavy  hearted  considerations  thereon  to  the  Assembly. 
They  request  advice  as  to  what  is  to  be  done  in  the  matter,  in 
order  to  counteract  this  approaching  evil.  The  Rev.  Assembly 
deems  it  in  the  highest  degree  necessary  to  watch  against  this 
thing;  and  that  the  worthy  burgomasters  of  the  city  of  Amster- 
dam as  well  as  the  committee  of  the  Directors  of  this  New  Colony 
shall  be  very  earnestly  addressed,  and  also  waited  on  by  the  Rev. 
Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas,  and  shall  seek  to  persuade  them  with 
all  serious  arguments  on  the  subject  in  order  to  check  at  the  be- 
ginning this  toleration  of  all  sorts  of  religions,  and  especially  of 
the  Lutherans,  lest  God's  Church  come  to  suffer  more  and  more 
injury  as  time  goes  on.     v.  41 ;  xix.  42. 

Letter  from  the  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  :  Wampum  ;  Cur- 
REWCY ;  Rensselaerwyck  ;  Negroes  ;  Cultivation  of  Silk- 
worms; Lutherans.    The  Currency.* 

Duplicate,     The  7th  of  April  1657. 

We  send   herewith   the   small   bell,   which  the    inhabitants   of   Fort    Orange   and 

the   village  of   Beverwyck  requested   for   their   newly   built   little    Church;   as   the 

twenty   five  beavers,   brought   over  by  Dirck   Jansen   Croon   to   pay  for   making  a 
^— . 

♦  Wampum,  peage,  wampumpeage  or  sewant  were  the  names  given  to  the 
Indians'  currency  which  the  Dutch  found  in  use  among  the  aborigines,  when 
they  came  to  settle  on  the  Hudson.     Wampum  was  black  and  white  perforated 


OF  THE  State  of  IsTew  Yokk.  373 

pulpit,  have  arrived  mucti  damaged  and  tlierefore  the  proceeds  therefrom  were 
not  suflBcient;  we  have  at  his  request  advanced  for  this  purpose  the  sum  of 
seventy  five  florins  as  an  encouragement  to  the  community  there.  As  to  the 
other  two  liells  for  the  villages  of  Midwout  and  Hemstead,  we  shall  have  thenk 
made  here  also  and  send  them  to  you  by  the  first  ships,  when  ready. 


1657 


We  have  by  no  means  the  intention,  to  grant  to  the  Lutherans  any  more* 
liberty  regarding  the  exercise  of  their  religion,  than  stated  In  our  letter  of  June- 
14,  1656,  by  which  we  still  stand.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv.  386,  387,  388. 


Administrative  Minutes  of  ITew  Amsterdam. 

Oath   of  Burghers. 

1657,   April  9. 

Follows  the  Oath  taken  by  the  Burghers;  drawn  up  by  the  Right  Honorable 
General   and   Council. 

I,  N,  N.,  promise  and  swear  in  the  presence  of  Almighty  God  to  be  true  and 
faithful  to  the  sovereignty  of  the  Noble,  High  Mighty  Lords  States  General  of 
the  United  Netherlands  and  Supreme  Jurisdiction  of  the  Honorable  Lords  Di- 
rectors of  the  rrivileged  West  India  Company  as  Lords  and  Patroons  of  thl3 
New  Netherland  I'roviuce,  their  Director  General  and  Council  already  appointed 
or  hereafter  to  be  appointed;  and  to  shew  in  the  first  place  them,  the  Burgo- 
masters and  Rulers  of  this  City,  present  and  future,  all  respect  and  reverence 
and  to  obey  them  in  all  honest  and  just  matters  as  a  faithful  subject  and  good 
Burgher  is  bound  to  do,  as  long  as  I  shall  continue  in  this  Province.  So  Truly 
Help  me  God  Almighty. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  vol.  vii.  p.  154. 


Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Everardus  Welius. 

1657,  April  10th. 

The  candidate  Everardus  "Welius  having  expounded  the  text 
Psalm  127:1,  was  then  examined  on  the  principal  heads  of  the 
Christian  religion.  lie  gave  the  Assembly  excellent  satisfaction 
in  both.  They  therefore  gladly  permitted  him  to  be  invested 
with  the  Sacred  Ministry,  in  that  N'ew  Colony  in  !N"ew  [N'ether- 

beads  from  three  sixteenth  to  three  eighth  of  an  inch  in  length  and  one  eighth 
in  thickness.  The  Qnahnug  or  Wholk  (Buceinnm  undntum),  a  shellfish  formerly 
abounding  on  the  coast  of  Long  Island,  but  now  rather  rare,  furnished  the 
matorini.  from  which  the  black  (in  reality  it  was  dark  purple),  and  more  valu- 
able, also  called  Sucknuhock,  was  made.  The  white  beads  were  made  from 
another  shellfish,  called  Meteauhock.  Periwinkle  (Turbo  littoreus,  Lin.)  and 
were  more  sti-ictiy  the  wampum.  Isaac  de  Razieres,  Treasurer  of  New  Nether- 
Innd  in  1()27.  iiitrndnced  wampum  in  the  New  England  Colonies,  much  to  the- 
disgust  of  the  inhabitants,  who  declared  it  the  "  Devil's  work  and  money  ". 
See  in  Laws  of  New  Netherland  the  Ordinances  rel.  to  wampum. —  B.  Fernow» 


1657 


374  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

land,  (Delaware,)  wliicli  is  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  city  of 
Amsterdam.  Unto  this  field  he  was  elected  bv  the  Classis,  with 
the  approval  of  the  AVorthy  Burgomasters.  He  was  also  ordained 
to  the  office  with  the  laying  on  of  hands  in  the  presence  of  the 
Assembly,  and  the  rich  blessing  of  the  Lord  was  invoked  upon 
him. —  vi.     4:4:. 

:  Lutherans  and  Sects  in  'New  ^etherland. 

1657,  April  10th. 

Rev.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  report  that  they  have  fulfilled 
their  commission  of  opposing  the  free  and  public  exercise  of  wor- 
ship by  the  sects,  and  in  particular,  by  the  Lutherans  in  New 
i^etherland,  both  in  respect  of  the  Messrs.  Directors  and  the  Wor- 
shipful Burgomasters  of  Amsterdam,  and  the  Directors  of  the 
'New  Colony.  It  was  found  that  not  only  have  requests  to  that 
end  been  addressed  to  the  Directors,  but  that  a  resolution  has 
already  been  adopted,  tending  to  permit  free  worship  of  the  sects, 
by  connivance;  but  that  they  had  employed  all  diligence  and 
labor  to  induce  the  gentlemen,  by  many  arguments,  and  powerful 
motives,  never  to  consent  to  the  permission  by  connivance,  or  in 
any  other  way.  This  had  borne  some  fruit,  but  not  so  perfectly 
that  it  should  heal  together  out  of  existence.  However  it  was 
resolved  by  the  Directors  to  abide  by  the  resolution  of  the  pre- 
ceding year.  The  Lutherans  are  to  be  permitted  quietly  to  have 
their  exercises  at  their  own  houses;  a  copy  of  which  resolutions 
were  copied  by  the  brethren  ad  causas  Indicas.  In  conformity 
with  this  resolution,  the  gentlemen  have  ^vritten  to  ^ew  Is^ether- 
land.  As  regards  the  Burgomasters  in  particular,  they  showed 
hesitation  in  expelling  the  minister  which  the  Lutherans  had  there 
(in  Amsterdam) ;  but  upon  the  urgent  request  of  the  Rev.  Breth- 
ren, accompanied  with  powerful  arguments,  they  had  taken  the 
subject  under  advisement,  and  would  give  heed  thereto  at  the 
proper  time.  [N^ow  inasmuch  as  all  these  things  are  fraught  with 
anxious  considerations,  and  do  not  place  the  Assembly  completely 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  375 

at  their  ease,  it  was  further  resolved  that  every  endeavor  should 
be  made  to  prevent  these  evils,  both  with  regard  to  the  Burgo- 
masters and  the  Directors,  as  well  as  the  Commissioners  of  the 
;N'ew  Colony  (on  the  Delaware.)  It  was  also  resolved  to  encourage 
the  Eev.  Consistory  in  ISTew  Netherland,  (New  Amsterdam,)  to 
continue  in  their  good  zeal,  to  check  these  evils  in  every  possible 
way.  The  Eev.  Heydanas  and  the  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas 
shall  attend  to  these  matters. —  vi.  45. 

Administrative  Minutes  of  [N'ew  Amsterdam. 

Petition  of  Jews  denied. 

The   11th   April,    1657. 

Jacob  Cohin  Hendricus,  a  Jew,  appears  in  the  Court  of  Burgomasters;  request- 
ing permission  to  balse  and  seli  bread  within  this  City,  as  other  bakers,  but 
with  closed  door.  Which  being  deliberated  on,  'tis  decreed,  as  this  is  directly 
contrary  to  the  privilege  granted  by  the  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council 
to  the  Burghery  of  this  City  and  also  against  the  orders  given  by  the  Honorable 
Lords  Majores,  the  petitioners  request  cannot  be  granted. 


1657 


Asser  Levy,  a  Jew,  appears  in  Court;  requests  to  be  admitted  a  Burgher; 
claims  that  such  ought  not  be  refused  him,  as  he  Iceeps  watch  and  ward  (tocht 
en  wacht)  like  other  Burghers;  shewing  a  Burgher  certificate  from  the  City  of 
Amsterdam,  that  the  Jew  is  Burgher  there.  Which  being  deliberated  on,  tis 
decreed  as  before  that  it  cannot  be  allowed,  and  he  shall  apply  to  the  Director 
General  and  Council. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  vol.  vii.  p.  154. 


Vice  Director  Alrichs  to  the  Commissioners  of  the  Colonie 

ON  the  Delaware. 

1657,    April    13. 

I  also  fuliy  hope,  and  have  placed  my  entire  reliance  on  a  Clergyman  coming 
over  in  the  first  ship,  so  that  all  our  work  may  begin  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
and  obtain  the  blessing  of  the  Almighty;  that  those  who  have  little  knowledge  or 
light  may  not  become  backsliders;  and  those  who  are  still  weak  in  the  faith 
may  be  further  strengthened.  A  learned  and  aged  man  who  hath  good  gifts  and 
is  well  acquainted  and  conversant  with  Church  government,  would  be  of  much 
use  there.  This  should  not  be  deferred,  as  it  is  a  scandal  not  to  have  either' 
Church  or  Minister  there,  whenever  any  of  the  neighboring  people,  and  even  of 
those  who  intend  to  settle,  come.  I,  therefore,  request  that  this  may  be  taken 
into  the  greatest  consideration,  with  an  effort  to  accomplish  it  most  speedily. — 
Col.   Docs.    N.    Y.   ii.  7. 


376  Ecclesiastical  Kecokds 

1667 

Classis  of  Amstekdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1657,  April  23rd. 
Rev.  Schoonhovius  in  the  Chair. 

The  Commissioners  of  the  new  colonies  in  behalf  of  the  city 
of  Amsterdam,  have  satisfied  Rev.  Mr.  Welius  concerning  the 
conditions,  and  a  call  will  be  placed  in  his  hands  as  soon  as  pos^ 
sible,  according  to  the  custom  in  vogue  in  such  matters 

The  Brethren  have  reported  their  several  endeavors  with  the 
Messrs.  Directors  in  relation  to  the  strife  among  the  sects,  es- 
pecially the  Lutherans.  They  have  at  last  received  as  answer  that 
the  old  resolution  should  remain  in  force,  in  accordance  with  what 
the  Messrs.  Directors  had  before  written  to  the  General,  and  the 
Council  of  Xew  Netherland.  It  was  judged  expedient  to  tran- 
scribe verbatim  in  the  journal  the  extracts  from  that  communica- 
tion, which  the  Brethren  requested  permission  to  make. 

Extract  from  the  communication  in  behalf  of  the  West  India 
Company,  to  the  Governor,  Peter  Stuyvesant,  and  the  Council  in 
Kew    Netherland,    June    14,    1656.      See   this    elsewhere. —  xx. 

372-3. 

Rev.  Welius. 

1657,  May  7th. 

The  Deputies  report  that  Rev.  Welius  is  contented  with  his 
salary.  What  remains  yet  to  be  done  in  this  matter,  the  brethren 
shall  further  perform.  Instructions  shall  be  given  him.  The  or- 
ganization (placing)  of  the  Consistory  in  the  jSTew  Colony  remains 
commended  to  his  prudence.  All  this  shall  be  communicated  to 
him,  on  the  part  of  this  Assembly,     vi.  47 ;  xix.  43. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

(Hermanns  Blom,  declines  the  chaplaincy.) 

1G57,  May  7th. 

In  compliance  with  the  Resolution  of  Classis,  the  Noble  Mighti- 
nesses (Admiralty  Board?)  at  Amsterdam,  have  been  spoken  to- 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  3^7 

about  the  salary  of  the  proponents,  who  should  go  to  sea  with 
Mr.  Tromp.  Their  Noble  Mightinesses  had  said,  that  when  a 
good  person  had  been  found  for  the  said  service,  they  would 
come  to  an  agreement  about  the  conditions.  Thereupon  the  As- 
sembly busied  itself  to  select  someone  from  the  proponents  here- 
tofore sent.  The  lawful  election  fell  upon  Rev.  Hermanns  Blom, 
whom  the  brethren  presented  to  their  Noble  Mightinesses;  but 
the  conditions  submitted  by  their  Mightinesses  were  not  accept- 
able to  Rev.  Blom,  as  they  promised  him  but  thirty  guilders 
($12.)  per  month.  Therefore  this  good  work,  so  well  begun,  has 
hitherto  proved  without  fruit. —  xx.  373. 

Lutherans  and  Sects  in  New  Netherland  and  the  Colony. 

1657,  May  7th. 

The  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas,  laboring  in  compliance  with 
their  instructions  to  oppose  the  Lutherans  in  New  Netherland, 
and  on  the  South  (the  Delaware)  River  have  learned  that  in 
the  treaty  made  with  the  Swedes  in  the  New  Colony,  it  was  stipu- 
lated and  consented  to  by  the  (New  Netherland)  Colonies  that  a 
Lutheran  minister  might  abide  there.  There  was  also  sent  to 
the  North  River,  (the  Hudson)  a  Lutheran  minister  named  John 
Earnest  Gutwasser  (Goedwasser,)  It  was  judged  by  the  Assem- 
bly that  if  it  (free  worship)  were  granted  to  the  Swedes;  on  ac- 
count of  the  contrast,  it  could  hardly  be  disallowed  to  the  (Dutch) 
Lutherans  (in  New  Amsterdam.)  But  inasmuch  as  it  is  understood 
that  the  Swedes  have  mostly  gone  away,  further  efforts  should  be 
made  (to  induce)  the  Burgomasters  to  oppose  the  Lutherans  and 
other  sects  (in  New  Amsterdam;)  and  that  they  should  be  re- 
quested to  recommend  this  matter  to  Director  Aldrix  (Aldrich) 
in  their  letters,  even  as  it  shall  be  urged  upon  the  Directors  (of 
the  West  India  Company)  that  in  their  district,  which  had  been 
hitherto,  by  their  good  care,  well  managed,  the  Lutherans  shall 
not  be  permitted  any  permission  freely  to  exercise  their  forms 
of  worship,    vi.  48,  49;  xix.  44. 


1657 


1657 


378  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

1657,  May  7th. 
Rev.  Mr.  Winckeliiis  in  the  Chair,    xx.  373-377. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Consistory  of  New  ISTetherland, 
Sent  with  Rev.  Everardus  Welius. 

May  25th,  1657. 

Reverend,  Very  Learned,  Godly  and  Well  Beloved  Brethren  in 
Christ  Jesus: 

"We  cannot  allow  the  excellent  opportunity  which  is  offered 
us  to  pass,  without  sending  this  communication  to  you.  The 
Hon.  Mayor  of  this  city  (Amsterdam)  as  well  as  the  Hon.  Com- 
missioners of  the  affairs  of  the  new  colony  (New  Amstel)  planted 
on  the  South  River  in  New  Netherland,  have  approved,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  published  conditions  concerning  the  same,  (Art.  7, 
of  the  previous  year,)  the  sending  provisionally,  to  that  place, 
of  a  schoolmaster,  who  will  also  visit  the  sick,  and  publicly  read 
God's  Word,  and  sing  the  Psalms.  Accordingly  we  have  sought 
out,  for  this  purpose,  a  worthy  man,  named  Evert  Pieterson.  He 
has  been  examined  in  all  the  above  named  particulars,  and  is  con- 
sidered properly  qualified.  He  therefore  undertook  his  journey 
thither,  (March  9,  1657,)  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  We  doubt  not 
but  that  he  has  already  arrived,  and  has  edified  many.  By  him 
a  certain  letter  was  sent  over  to  your  Reverences,  in  which  we 
gave  account  of  those  things  which  we  judged  necessary  to  com- 
municate to  you.      (See  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  4-22,  48-74.) 

The  Gospel  door  seems  ever  to  be  opening  more  widely.  Sev- 
eral families  are  about  to  remove  hence,  being  willing  to  be 
transported  thither.  Who  knows  what  the  Lord  God  purposes 
in  respect  to  the  extension  of  his  kingdom,  and  the  conversion  of 
the  heathen.  Indeed  this  good  work  has  been  so  greatly  taken 
to  heart  here,  that  it  has  been  deemed  necessarv  to  send  a  lawful 
minister  there,   to   institute   religious  meetings   in   which   God's 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  379 

1657 

Word  may  be  preached  with  soundness,  the  sacraments  adminis- 
tered according  to  Christ's  ordinances,  and  God's  name  publicly 
honored.  Accordingly  the  Kev.  Classis  has  been  occupied  in 
choosing  one  from  among  the  recommended  candidates,  to  go 
over  in  the  capacity  of  minister.  The  lawful  choice  has  fallen 
upon  Rev.  Everardus  Welius,  a  young  man  deserving  of  much 
praise  in  many  respects.  For  he  is  such  a  one  in  life,  in  study, 
in  gifts,  in  conversation,  that  we  expect  nothing  else  than  to  hear, 
in  due  time,  that  he  fills  his  office  with  fruitfulness,  under  God's 
blessing  and  grace.  Therefore  also  he  has  been  ordained  to  his 
office,  after  a  proper  final  examination,  by  the  laying  on  of  hands 
in  the  Classical  Assembly. 

We  request,  in  case  he  should  stop  over  in  passing,  in  your 
localities,  (New  Amsterdam),  that  you  will  treat  him  with 
brotherly  consideration,  and  assist  him  in  everything  wherein  he 
may  have  need  of  your  services.  We  hope  that  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest  will  make  him  sl  useful  and  successful  laborer  in  the  har- 
vest which  is  yet  to  be  gathered  there;  that  he  will  increasingly 
endue  him  vdth  strength  of  body  and  of  soul;  for  surely  his 
Reverence  will,  especially  at  first,  find  trouble  enough  to  fashion 
everything  into  a  well  ordered  form  of  church  government.  To 
this  end,  indeed,  a  friendly  correspondence  between  him  and  you, 
so  far  as  possible,  will  not  be  unserviceable  to  him.  And  the 
work  of  the  ministry  will  be  very  difficult,  since  there  are  already 
there,  and  in  time  more  people  will  come,  of  all  manner  of  per- 
nicious persuasions.  Every  one  can  therefore,  easily  perceive 
how  much  diligence  and  labor  are  required  to  prevent  false  opin- 
ions and  foul  heresies  from  becoming  prejudicial  to  the  pure 
truth. 

In  order  also,  that  divers  sects,  in  that  colony,  may  not  be  able 
to  lift  their  heads,  we  have  earnestly  urged  upon  the  Mayor 
and  Commissioners  here  (at  Amsterdam)  that  their  Honors 
should  do  something  to  establish  some  (ecclesiastical)  Order,  in' 
opposition  to  general  license.     They  have  given  us  quite  a  satis- 


380  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

1657 

factory  answer,  namely,  that  they  could  not  force  the  consciences 
of  men,  which  indeed,  Ave  had  expressly  stated  we  did  not  wish; 
but  they  said,  that  should  information  arrive  that  the  sects  car- 
ried on  their  exercises  of  religion  (in  public)  then  they  would 
look  to  it  to  prevent  such  a  thing,  after  examination  of  the  facts. 

We  have  requested  your  Eeverences  to  inform  us  from  time  to 
time,  by  writing,  concerning  the  condition  of  affairs  in  the  church 
over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  has  made  you  overseers.  We  hear 
indeed  one  thing  and  another,  through  different  private  sources. 
But  meantime  we  are  awaiting  agreeable  letters  directly  from  you ; 
but  now  for  years  we  have  received  no  answers  to  our  communi- 
cations. This  circumstance  makes  us  somewhat  fearful  lest  this 
friendly  correspondence  should  gradually  cease.  This  we  hope 
not  to  see. 

Meanwhile,  as  regards  your  church,  we  did  not  sit  still  in  the 
matter  of  the  Lutheran  controversy,  of  which  frequent  mention 
has  been  made  in  our  former  letters;  but  so  far  as  was  prac- 
ticable, we  have  held  a  watchful  eye  upon  it.  It  was  rumored 
that  they  had  again  petitioned  the  Directors  to  be  permitted  to 
enjoy,  in  that  land,  freedom  in  the  public  exercises  of  their 
religion.  But  their  request  was  not  granted.  After  they  had 
repeatedly  pressed  their  suit,  the  said  gentlemen  dismissed  them, 
finally,  with  the  answer,  that  their  petition  should  be  presented 
rather  to  the  States-General  than  to  them.  We  were  further 
informed  that  the  Directors  had  examined  the  list  of  persons 
who  had  journeyed  thither,  and  had  found  among  the  number, 
the  name  of  one  John  Ernest  Goedwater,  (Gutwasser,)  who  for 
all  we  know,  was  examined  by  the  Lutheran  church  here,  ordained 
as  preacher,  and  sent  over  there  in  that  capacity.  This  is  indeed 
a  matter  of  great  importance,  which  might  most  signally  hinder 
the  progress  of  the  truth.  Therefore  the  Rev.  Brethren,  the 
Deputies  of  the  Olassis,  have  been  occupied  since  last  year,  in 
seeking  to  stop  the  growth  of  this  evil.  They  have  diligently 
plied  the  Directors  with  persuasive  arguments,  and  have  perse- 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  381 

vered,  until  the  above  mentioned  gentlemen  resolved  to  abide 
by  the  old  resolution,  in  conformity  with  what  they  had  previously 
written  to  the  General  and  his  Council  in  that  place.  Of  this 
writing  an  extract  was  asked  and  granted.  In  this  we  observe 
that  the  Lutherans  were  permitted  the  free  exercise  of  their  relig- 
ion in  their  own  houses.  We  cannot  interpret  this  in  any  other 
way  than  tliat  every  one  must  have  the  freedom  to  serve  God 
quietly  within  his  dwelling,  in  such  a  manner  as  his  religion  may 
prescribe,  without  instituting  any  public  gatherings  or  conven- 
ticles. When  this  interpretation  is  recognized,  our  complaints 
will  cease. 

It  therefore  remains  to  you,  worthy  brethren,  to  be  vigilant, 
lest  your  congregation,  Avhich  we  learn  is  at  present  in  a  good 
and  encouraging  condition,  suffer  from  the  liberty  which  the 
sects  may  assume.  But  should  it  happen  that  this  evil  is  not 
remedied  to  your  satisfaction,  although  we  hope  it  may  be  other- 
wise, if  we  can  serve  you  in  any  way,  we  gladly  offer  a  helping 
hand,  in  the  name  of  the  Classis,  whenever  our  body  is  furnished 
by  your  Reverences  with  proper  information.  This  we  will  use 
as  occasion  permits. 

Herewith  we  conclude.  Meanwhile  we  hope  that  the  Lord 
God  may  long  bless  you  in  your  duties,  and  may  preserve  you 
in  good  health,  to  the  honor  of  his  Holy  E^ame,  to  the  signal  edi- 
fication of  your  congregation,  and  to  your  temporal  welfare  and 
eternal  salvation. 

Signed, 

Caspar  de  Cai^pentier 

Actum  Amsterdam,  Abraham  Roeloff 

May  25,  1657.  Conrad  Schoonboven. 

Vice  Dieector  Aleichs  to  the  Buegomastees  of  Amsteedam. 

1657,   May  25. 

And,  as  there  was  scarcely  any  storehouse,  I  have  been  obliged  to  fix  some- 
thing tent  fashion,  to  preserve  the  goods  which,  in  such  a  manner  or  with  such 
covering,  are  not  sufficiently  protected  from  rain,  rotting,  etc.  Therefore,  neces- 
saries are  required  to  be  sent  hither  for  a  large   storehouse;  also   suitable   boats 


1657 


1657 


382  Ecclesiastical  Records 

and  a  Minister,  all  which  are  of  the  greatest  necessity.  As  there  was  no  powder- 
house  here,  I  have  had  a  cellar  constructed  under  the  walls,  so  that  the  powder 
may  be  preserved  in  a  sure  place  which  Is  beyond  danger.  Meanwhile,  the  ship 
Bever,  has  been  discharged  within  ten  allowed  days. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  11.   9. 

Vice  Director  Aleichs  to  the  Commissioners  of  the  Colony 

ON  the  Delaware. 

1657,   May   7. 
Honorable,  Worshipful,   Wise,   Right  Prudent  Gentlemen: — 

My  last  to  your  Honors  was  dated  the  8th  instant,  whereunto  I  refer;  never- 
theless, I  am  under  the  necessity  to  repeat  here,  and  again  herein  respectfully 
to  request  you  to  be  pleased,  should  you  not  have  already  sent  out  the  materials 
necessary  for  a  suitable  warehouse,  as  well  two  carpenters  at  least,  who,  without 
whom  we  cannot  get  along,  and  the  requisite  boat  and  clergyman,  no  longer  to 
postpone  forwarding  them,  for,  in  consequence  of  the  heavy  rain  that  frequently 
falls  here  in  great  quantities,  which  will  leak  through  any  old  sails,  there  is  im- 
minent danger  that  whatever  is  dry  or  susceptible  of  damage,  will  be  spoiled. — • 
Col.  Docs.   N.  Y.  ii.   13. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Lutherans  in  'New  Xetherland. 

1657,  June  5tli. 

About  tlie  restraint  of  tlie  Lutherans  and  other  sects  in  ISTew 
Netherland  and  the  ISTew  Colony  (on  the  Delaware),  the  gentle- 
men were  waited  on,  and  this  business  was  earnestly  recommended 
to  them.  They  promised  to  be  on  their  guard  against  their 
exercising  public  worship,  and  not  permit  it,  but  endeavor  to 
prevent  it. —  v.  55 ;  xix.  45. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1657,  June  27th. 
Rev.  Gideon  Schaats  to  Rev.  Domine  Laurentius. 
The  Peace  of  Christ ! 

Very  Dear  Father  and  Brother  in  Christ,  Domine  Laurentius :— - 
In  the  beginning  of  November,  last  year,  (1656,)  in  conjunc- 
tion with  Domine  Megapolensis,  I  wrote  to  you  at  the  request 
of  the  Rev.  Classis,  concerning  the  state  of  the  church  in  general, 
in  this  country,  and  in  particular  about  myself,  with  the  design 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yokk.  383 

1657 

of  having  the  same  coinmiinicated  to  tlie  Rev.  Brethren.  But, 
as  we  have  leai'ned  that  the  ship  "  Otter  ",  by  which  we  sent  our 
letters,  was  lost  on  the  coast  of  England,  and  as  we  have  received 
no  answers  to  them,  we  now  repeat  the  information. 

About  the  church  and  congTegation  here :  Much  could  be  said 
of  the  indiscreet  walk  of  many.  There  are  many  hearers,  but 
not  much  saving  fruit.  The  place  increases,  but  when  the  wind 
is  from  the  South,  the  people,  who  carry  on  trade,  by  which  this 
place  alone  exists,  pass  away  like  grass  growing  on  the  (meadow.) 

We  have  here  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  members,  most 
of  whom  I  found  here.  I  think  that  I  have  received  about  thirty. 
May  God  sanctify  them !  But  we  have  been  also  considerably 
deceived  by  certain  ones,  so  that  on  account  of  their  inconsistent 
walk,  although  with  but  little  assistance,  I  have  been  obliged 
to  suspend  them  from  the  Lord's  Table.  The  people  are  rather 
reckless;  many  remain  away  from  the  Lord's  Table  for  a  kernel 
of  oats,  (the  sKghtest  reason) ;  disputes  often  arise  on  account  of 
trade.  But  they  ought  never  to  be  left  mthout  a  preacher,  as 
there  are  sometimes  between  three  and  four  hundred  at  church, 
notvdthstanding  the  distance  some  have  to  travel;  and  if  they 
were  all  w^ell  inclined,  there  might  be  an  audience  of  six  hundred, 
besides  the  merchants,  who  frequent  the  place  during  the  sum- 
mer; but  the  taverns  and  villainous  houses  have  many  visitors. 
The  colonists  have  not  more  than  fourteen  or  fifteen  country 
places  (farms) ;  the  Company  has  around  the  fort  a  "  Factory  " 
village  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  houses,  if  not  more,  and  oth- 
ers are  springing  up  daily;  a  small  new  church  has  been  located 
in  the  heart  of  this  village,  Beaverwyck,  where  by  God's  grace 
I  now  preach.  But  inasmuch  as  most  of  the  people  are  under 
the  Company,  Rensselaer  neither  will  nor  can  continue  me  after 
my  term  expires.  This,  according  to  the  last  agreement  made, 
w^ill  be  on  the  24th  of  July,  1657.  [A  marginal  note  in  the 
same  hand  writing  says:     This  contract  was  made  on  the  20tli 


1657 


384  Ecclesiastical  Eecoeds 

of  September  1656  or  thereabouts,  at  whicli  time  lie  was  already 
intending  to  resign.]  Then  I  shall  be  free  from  my  duties  here. 
I  wrote  about  this  in  my  last  letter.  This  matter  gives  me  a 
great  deal  to  think  about,  and  the  uncertainties  cause  me  much 
trouble.  I  am  free  from  van  Eensselaer,  or  mil  be;  but  not  a 
word  was  said  by  the  officers  of  the  Company  about  my  salary, 
before  I  received  my  discharge.  No  preacher  has  ever  yet  been 
appointed  here  by  the  Company,  and  the  Company  says  that  the 
congregation  must  pay  the  preacher.  But  they  (the  people?)  pre- 
fer to  gamble  away,  or  lose  in  bets,  a  ton  of  beer  at  twenty 
three  or  twenty  four  guilders,  or  some  other  liquor.  I  will  say 
nothing  against  the  better  class;  but  of  these  there  are  too  few 
to  make  up  the  salary.  The  Company's  people  are  not  very 
liberal,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  case  of  Domine  Polheymius, 
preacher  at  Flatbush,  whom  the  poor  farmers  pay  a  scanty  salary. 
On  the  whole,  frequently  I  do  not  know  what  to  do;  nor  can  I 
tell  what  my  final  resolutions  shall  be.  Perhaps  when  I  am 
free,  I  shall  be  pleased  to  make  use  of  that  freedom  in  the  com- 
ing spring,  1658,  and  travel  with  my  children  to  the  Fatherland. 
Here  they  learn  nothing  but  rudeness,  instead  of  useful  things. 
This  journey  is  desirable  especially  for  my  sons,  each  of  whom 
is  fit  nov/  to  undertake  something  to  his  liking.  In  the  mean- 
while, and  at  the  request  of  the  Consistory  here,  I  shall  not 
cease  to  do  my  duty,  until  the  time  that  you  and  the  Rev. 
Brethren  can  do  something  for  me  in  this  matter.  If  the  Com- 
pany, which  made  the  first  beginnings  at  this  place,  would  also 
make  a  beginning  in  the  appointment  of  a  preacher,  then  let 
them  also  provide  for  him,  as  they  do  for  the  preacher  at  ISTew 
Amsterdam.  The  work  here  is  very  hard  for  one  minister,  while 
they  have  tAvo  at  the  Manhattans;  and  because  above  the  Mi- 
nades  such  a  dearth  is  felt;  for  victuals  are  three  times  more 
easily  procured  at  the  Minades,  as  the  English  live  in  that  neigh- 
borhood, and  they  are  also  on  the  sea.     The  salary  of  the  old 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  385 

preacher  there  who  keeps  house  isr  two  thousand  guilders  in- 
cluding his  house  rent;  and  besides  he  has  free  fuel,  which  here 
we  have  not.  Fire  wood  costs  us  about  two  hundred  guilders, 
for  which  the  price  at  the  Minades  is  hardly  one  hundred  and 
iifty.  This  is  because  of  the  difficulty  in  hauling  it  from  the 
woods.  I^either  is  there  any  house  for  the  preacher  here.  All 
the  houses  are  occupied,  so  that  there  are  none  to  rent.  Every- 
body must  build  for  himself,  and  at  great  expense,  for  every- 
thing is  four  times  as  dear  as  in  the  Fatherland;  as  for  example 
carpenters  wages,  and  everything  pertaining  to  building.  The 
houses  here  cost  a  great  deal.  A  decent  domicile  cannot  be  rented 
for  less  than  four  hundred  to  four  hundred  and  fifty  guilders, 
while  Rensselaer  will  not  allow  me  more  than  two  hundred  guild- 
ers for  rent;  and  the  congregation  is  not  willing  to  build  me  a 
house.  But  a  Poor-house  has  been  established  here,  and,  God 
be  praised,  as  there  are  yet  very  few  poor  people  here,  I  have 
made  arrangements  with  the  deacons,  and  lived  therein  until  now. 
The  Brethren  must  therefore  take  care,  that  no  preacher  is  sent 
here,  and  that  I  am  not  ordered  to  remain  here,  without  being 
decently  treated,  as  other  ministers  are.  ISTevertheless,  I  fare  so 
well,  that  I  would  not  care  to  leave  my  congTegation,  if  I  had 
only  means  to  send  my  sons,  one  after  the  other,  to  the  Father- 
land. But  I  am  already  very  much  behind.  I  might  indeed  sell 
all  my  movable  property,  which  I  brought  here,  and  then  all 
would  go  well,  if  I  could  immediately  start  on  my  travels;  and 
if  my  wife,  who  has  not  yet  succumbed,  had  traded  a  little  more, 
without  which  we  would  have  been  still  more  miserable.  I  often 
take  my  God  as  witness,  that  we  have  never  lived  luxuriously, 
and  I  do  not  wish  to.  We  have  lived  more  simply  than  any 
other  minister,  and  yet  how  different  is  my  condition,  in  this  re- 
spect, from  the  common  inhabitants  here.  I  thank  God  for  what 
he  gives;  only  I  find  myself  conscientiously  compelled  to  wi'ite 
this,  that  the  dear  Brethren  might  see  to  it,  that  no  other  brother 

25 


1657 


1657 


386  Ecclesiastical  Records 

be  misled  into  these  parts,  as  I  have  been.  The  Rensselaers 
knew,  that  the  ministers  were  not  to  be  returned  home  at  their 
own  expense,  but  that  was  concealed  from  me  in  my  contract.  It 
was  mentioned  in  the  contract  of  the  other  minister,  (Megapolen- 
sis),  made  by  the  late  pious  Ealian  van  Rensselaer,  ^^dth  several 
other  conditions  favorable  to  him,  but  too  long  to  repeat  here. 
I  have  myself  read  them  in  the  contract.  I  had  forgotten  to 
say,  that  there  is  no  prelector  nor  precentor  here,  which  duties  I 
have  had  to  fill.  All  this  is  information  for  the  Brethren,  for 
them  to  act  upon.  At  the  request  of  the  Classis  I  comxmunicate 
this  to  you,  hoping  that  you  ^vill  inform  them  thereof.  In.  clos- 
ing, I  commend  you  and  your  dear  wife  and  children,  with  the 
best  wishes  of  my  family,  to  the  grace  of  God,  and  remain,  this 
27th  of  June,  1657,  of  Your  Reverence,  the  humble  colaborer 
in  the  work  of  God. 

Gideon  Schaats, 

Pastor  at  Rensselaerswyck. 

Petitiois'  op  the  Revs.  MEOAPOLEisrsis  axd  Drisius  to  the  Bitb- 

OOMASTERS,     ETC.,     AoAINST     ToLERATING     THE     LUTHERANS. 

July  6,  1657. 

To  the  Hon.   Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  city  of  Am- 
sterdam, 'New  iSTetherland : — 

The  ministers  of  this  city,  with  all  due  respect,  desire  to  send 
in  this,  their  remonstrance.  They  have  understood  that  there 
has  arrived  by  the  ship  "  De  Molen '',  a  Lutheran  minister;  that 
he  designs  settling,  in  his  ofiicial  capacity,  in  this  important  place; 
that  it  is  evidently  their  intention,  if  they  obtain  a  foothold 
in  this  place,  to  extend  themselves,  which  they  may  then  do 
the  more  easily,  to  other  parts  of  this  province.  In  our  opinion 
this  must  operate  injuriously  to  the  policy  of  the  government, 
as  well  as  of  the  Reformed  Religion,  unless  it  be  successfully 
opposed  at  the  beginning.     For 


OF  THE  State  of  ]N'ew  York.  387 

1.  The  Lutherans  and  their  adherents  have  been  forbidden 
heretofore,  to  hold  their  separate  conventicles,  altho'  they  have 
repeatedly  solicited  this  privilege  of  the  Hon.  Directors  in  vain. 
They  nevertheless  obstinately  and  perseveringiy  persist  in  prose- 
cuting their  object  against  the  kno^vn  and  declared  will  of  the 
government  of  this  place.  If  they  should  gain  this  object,  they 
would  doubtless  attempt  to  proceed  further. 

2.  We  feel  sure  that  great  contention  and  discord  will  develope 
therefrom,  not  only  among  the  inhabitants  and  citizens  in  gen- 
eral, but  also  in  families,  of  which  we  have  had  proofs  and  com- 
plaints during  the  past  year.  For  example,  some  husbands  have 
forced  their  wives  to  leave  their  own  church,  and  attend  their 
conventicles. 

3.  Large  numbers  of  Lutherans  have  been  found  in  the  East 
Indies,  and  also,  formerly,  in  Brazil,  but  we  do  not  know  that 
the  public  exercise  of  their  religion  was  ever  allowed  them; 
doubtless  because  strife  in  religious  matters  would  produce  con- 
fusion in  political  affairs. 

4.  Thus,  also,  the  number  of  hearers  in  our  (Reformed)  church 
would  be  perceptibly  diminished.  Many  of  that  persuasion  have 
continued  attentive  hearers  among  us,  and  several  have  united 
themselves  mth  our  church.  These  would  separate  themselves 
from  us,  if  separate  worship,  according  to  the  Lutheran  form., 
should  be  allowed. 

5.  The  treasury  of  our  deacons,  (the  poor  fund)  would  be  con- 
siderably diminished,  and  become  unable  to  sustain  the  burdens 
it  has  hitherto  borne.  It  is  known  to  your  Hon.  Body  that  there 
is  no  other  means  provided  for  the  support  of  the  poor,  save  what 
is  collected  in  the  church.  This  is  given  to  widows,  orphans, 
and  to  all  who  make  suitable  application  whatever  may  be  their 
religious  persuasion.  This  could  not  be  done  under  any  other 
arrangement. 

6.  If  the  Lutherans  should  be  indulged  in  the  exercise  of  their 
(public)  worship,  the  Papist,  Mennonites  and  others,  would  soon 
make  similar  claims.     Thus  we  would  soon  become  a  Babel  of 


1657 


1657 


388  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

confusion,  instead  of  remaining  a  united  and  peaceful  people. 
Indeed  it  would  prove  a  plan  of  Satan  to  smother  this  infant, 
rising  congregation,  almost  in  its  birth,  or  at  least  to  obstruct 
the  march  of  truth  in  its  progress. 

We  therefore  request  your  Hon.  Body  earnestly  to  consider 
the  measure  referred  to,  as  injurious  to  the  political  as  well  as  to 
the  religious  interests  of  this  place;  and,  following  in  the  foot- 
steps of  your  predecessors  in  authority  in  this  city,  as  well  as 
in  the  Province  at  large,  T\all  take  measures  to  arrest  the  evil 
ready  to  creep  in,  and  prevent  it  according  to  your  best  ability. 
So  doing,  etc.  Your  Honors'  Obedient 

John  Megapolensis. 
July  6,  (12)  1657.  Samuel  Drisius. 

Endorsed  on  this  letter  is  the  following : — 

The  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  having  read  the  request  herein 

presented,  by  the  ministers  of  the  Holy  Gospel,  return  thanks 

to  them  for  their  care  in  this  matter.     They  refer  them  to  the 

request  of  their  Honors  on  this  subject,  heretofore  made  to  the 

Government,  and  the  reply  thereto,  which  are  hereunto  annexed. 

By  the  order  of  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens, 

Timotheus  Gabry,  Secretary. 
August  13,  1657, 

at  the  City  Hall,  in 

Amsterdam,  I^ew  l^etherland. 

Repoet  of  the  ^Iayor  and  Aldeemen  of  E^ew  Amsteedam 

Upon  the  Petition  of  the  Ministers  Against  Allowing 

Lutheean  Seevices. 

1657,  July  14th. 

To  the  Xoble,  Hon.orable  Director-General  and  the  Honorable 
Council  of  New  ISTetherland : — 

With  all  due  respect,  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  this 
city  show,  that  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel  here  appeared  yester- 


OF  THE  State  of  ^New  Yoek.  389 

day  before  us  with  the  annexed  petition,  concerning  the  arrival 
of  a  Lutheran  preacher,  who  had  come  by  the  ship  "  Gonde  Meu- 
len  "  (Golden  Mills).  They  allege  several  reasons  and  motives, 
why  the  spread  of  that  doctrine  ought  to  be  prevented  here. 
These  having  been  taken  into  consideration  by  us,  the  aforesaid 
Lutheran  preacher,  nam.ed  Johannes  Ernestus  Goetwater  was  sum- 
moned before  us.  AYe  asked  him,  with  what  intentions  he  had 
come  to  this  country.  He  thereupon  frankly  answered,  he  had 
been  sent  on  behalf  of  their  Consistory,  to  occupy  the  position 
of  a  preacher  here,  as  far  as  it  would  be  allowed.  He  also 
trusted  that  a  letter  of  permit  would  come  by  the  ship  "  Waegh  " 
(Balance),  giving  them  freedom  of  religion  as  in  the  Fatherland; 
also  that  the  Directors  (of  the  West  India  Company)  had  this 
matter  under  consideration,  about  which  a  resolution  should  fol- 
low at  the  next  opportunity;  and  that  he  had  writings  from  the 
Lutheran  Consistory  of  Amsterdam,  to  be  delivered  to  their 
congregation  here. 

When  we  deliberated  on  all  this,  we  could  not  believe  that  the 
Hon.  Directors  would  tolerate  in  this  place  any  other  doctrine, 
than  the  true  Reformed  Eeligion.  This  is  fully  sustained  by 
the  oath,  which  your  Honors  administered  to  us  upon  our  enter- 
ing upon  our  duties,  and  which  the  Honorable,  the  Lords-Pa- 
troons,  approved.  By  this  we  bound  ourselves  under  oath  to  help 
maintain  the  true  Reformed  Religion,  and  to  suffer  no  other 
religion  or  sects.  Therefore  we  have  charged  the  said  Goet- 
waeter,  not  to  hold  public  or  private  exercise  in  this  city,  and 
not  to  deliver  to  the  congregation,  as  he  called  it,  the  letters 
from  the  (Lutheran)  Consistory  (at  Amsterdam)  until  further 
orders.  As  this  is  a  matter  which  concerns  not  only  this  place, 
but  the  whole  Province,  we  address  ourselves  further  to  your 
Honors,  and  request  that  measures  may  be  found,  by  which  the 
true  Reformed  Religion  will  be  maintained,  and  all  other  sects 
excluded,  that  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  may  increase  in  its  flow 


1657 


1667 


390  ECOLESIASTIOAL    RECORDS 

upon  us.     Thus  all  our  good  inhabitants  will  feel  obliged  to  show 
their  gratitude  to  your  Honors,  for  doing  this,  etc. 
By  order  of  the  Hon.  Burgomg^sters  and  Schepens, 

Timotheus  Gabry, 
Secretary  of  Amsterdam,  in  ISTew  ^NTetherland. 

Received  the  report  by  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  this 
city,  accompanying  the  petition  of  the  ministers. 

The  Director-General  and  Council  are  well  pleased  with  the 
zeal  and  desire,  shown  by  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  this 
city  for  supporting  the  Reformed  doctrine  and  excluding  schisma- 
tics, and  praise  them  therefor.  The  Director-General  and  Council 
agree  in  every  particular  with  the  report.  They  request  and 
order  the  Burgomasters  and  the  Schepens  of  this  city,  as  well  as 
all  other  inferior  Courts,  that  the  orders  and  edicts  formerly 
issued  and  repeatedly  published  against  this  thing;  and  especially 
the  order,  repeated  on  the  first  of  February,  Anno  1656,  shall 
be  retained  and  enforced  strictly.  We  consider  this  to  be  neces- 
sarv  for  the  maintenance  and  conservation  not  only  of  the  Re- 
formed  divine  service,  but  also  of  political  and  civil  peace,  quiet- 
ness and  harmony.  Thus  done  at  the  meeting  of  the  Honorable 
Director-General  and  Council,  held  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  iNew 
Xetherland,  the  14th  of  July,  Anno  1657. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Xoble,  Honorable 
Director-General  and  Council, 

C.  van  Ruyven,  Secretary. 
Report  of  the 

Burgomasters  and  Schepens 

of  Amsterdam,  to  Director-General 

and  Council  about  maintaining  the  Reformed  Religion, 

with  (exclusion  of  sects.) 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  391 


Gov.  Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistkaats  off  Heemstead. 

17  July,  1657. 

Lovinge  Prindes  —  Before  mi  departure  from  you  I  was  in  hoopes;  off  a  good  act 
amongst  you  both  in  settlingh  off  mister  denton's  continuance  according  to  agree- 
ment off  the  tents  for  the  present  year:  Butt  Beeinge  in  hest  BaclJ  and  ready  for 
mi  returne;  Both  were  Broocli  off  By  sum  turbelent  Spirits  iff  in  the  neme  off  the 
whole  or  any  is  yet  ignorant;  but  not  satisfeyt  therefore  you  may  be  pleased  to 
understand  by  these  presents  that  wee  are  yett  expected  the  tenths  uppon  the  field 
for  the  year  present  and  accordanse  to  the  value  off  them  for  the  yeare  past  this 
therefore  is  ordered  by  these  present  that  before  the  gatheringe  off  the  crop  you 
shall  give  tymly  noticij  that  we  may  send  a  men  for  the  such  or  watt  is  the  patrons 
due,  and  for  the  ministry:  You  al  doe  know  that  Mister  Robert  fordim  sum  tymes 
minister  of  the  town  off  heemsted;  did  leave  the  plaeic  and  alsoo  the  exercys  of 
the  ministery  without  our  wish  or  knowledge  and  for  no  little  reasons  therefore  wee 
ken  not  admitt  him  in  such  a  mennor  of  comminge  againe.  Soe  after  my  servla 
recommendinge  you  all  unto  the  proteckcon  off  the  Almeytig  I  rest. 

Answer  to  the  above. 
Right  Wortschipfull  —  Yours  wee  have  received  bearing  date  the  17th  Jully 
wheare  in  wee  understand  you  are  unsatisfied  heering  summe  speeches  from  sume 
pitlur  (i.  e.  private)  man  or  men  not  being  imployed  by  the  towne  nor  by  ther 
knowledg  or  consent  nether  doe  the  towne  owne  what  they  have  said  wee  hoope 
according  to  the  agreement  made  for  a  hundredth  skeepell  of  wheeat  for  the  tentes 
you  will  be  content  the  which  the  towne  agreed  with  you  and  are  willing  to  per- 
forme,  our  desiers  ai-e  to  Imbrace  Mr.  dentons  ministrie  if  God  be  pleased  to  con- 
tinue hime  amongst  us  and  as  for  yoursellfe  we  have  had  suflBcient  experience  of 
your  willingnesse  and  doubt  not  but  you  are  the  same  by  your  late  free  and  noble 
profer.  Soe  hoping  will  not  take  any  exceptions  against  the  whoolle  for  sume  p'tillr 
Estrauigant  speches  for  soe  it  will  sumtimes  fall  out  wheare  a  generall  voat  is  wee 
have  sent  Mr.  Simons  the  hearer  heare  of  hee  shall  further  informe  your  woorshipe 
soo  not  further  to  truble  your  woorschepe  att  present  wee  remaine  yours  in  all  ser- 
vice to  command  according  to  our  power 

Richard  Gildeersleue,  in  the  name  and 

behaulfe  of  the  towne  of  Hempsteed, 

this  25th  of  July,  1657. 
Addressed. 

"  To  the  Right  Worschipfull  peeter  Stiuasnt  Gouernor  Generall  of  the  new 

Netherlandes  at   his   house   foort  amsterdame  thesse   present."  —  Doc.    Hist. 

N.  Y.  iii.  lis. 

Gov.  Stuyvesant's  Reply. 

Lovinge  friendes: — 

Your  letter  sent  by  Mr.  Semins  and  his  information  have  given  us  full  satisfaction 
so  that  wee  sal  rest  in  your  promise  off  hundert  schepels  off  Weat  for  the  tentes 
for  the  present  yeare  —  about  the  continuancy  off  mister  denton  amongst  you  wee 
sal  use  al  endevors  we  ken  iff  hee  ken  nott  bee  persuaded;  you  must  locke  for  an- 
other Abel  and  Godly  man  weerunto  we  on  our  seyde  sal  contribu  what  is  in  our 
power  —  soo  etc. 

Heemsteid  sent  the  29th  of  July  ady  1657.—  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  119. 


1657 


1657 


392  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

CoiTespondence  from  America. 

1657,  July  31st. 

J.  T.  Polliemus  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Keverend,  Learned  and  Esteemed  Gentlemen,  the  Preachers  of 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  dearly  beloved  Brethren  in 
the  Lord: — 

With  respectful  salutations  and  hearty  thanks  for  all  the  favors 
shown  to  my  wife  in  my  absence,  I  am  glad  to  inform  you  here- 
with, that  she  arrived  here  safely  and  in  good  health  on  the  4th 
of  September.  For  this  the  good  God  be  praised  above  all,  and 
then  your  Reverences,  who  have  helped  her.  I  wrote  to  you,  to 
her,  and  to  others,  in  the  year  1655,  and  am  very  sorry  to  learn, 
that  these  letters  have  been  kept  back.  But  as  I  requested  then, 
so  I  entreat  your  Reverences  now,  that  you  will  not  interpret, 
to  my  disadvantage,  the  circumstance  that  I  had  not  written 
sooner.  The  reason  was,  that  I  was  uncertain  about  my  remain- 
ing here,  and  I  was  in  doubt,  whether  I  should  not  carry  my 
news  myself.  I  had  no  idea,  that  there  could  be  any  dissatis- 
faction with  myself  or  my  service.  I  also  sent  over  my  dismissal 
(from  Brazil)  and  my  testimonials,  l^ow.  Reverend  Brethren, 
please  not  to  give  too  much  credence  to  backbiters;  they  are  but 
human.  With  God's  help  I  shall  give  satisfaction  to  those  who 
watch  here,  as  well  as  to  your  Reverences  and  to  all  pious  people. 
May  the  merciful  God  help  us  all.  Herewith  I  commend  your 
Reverences,    collectively   and   individually,    to    God's   Almighty 

keeping. 

Your  Reverences  faithful  and  sincere  servant, 

J.  T.  Polhemus. 
Midwout  in  I^ew  E'etherland, 

Ultimo  July,  165Y. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  393 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1657,  Aug.  5th. 

Eevs.  J.  Megapolensis  and  S.  Drisins  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

P.  S.  Aug.  14. 

Keverend,  Pious  and  Learned  Gentlemen,  Fathers  and  Brethren 
in  Christ  Jesus : — 

The  letters  of  your  Keverences,  of  the  13th  of  June  1656,  and 
of  the  15th  of  October  of  the  same  year  have  been  received.  We 
were  rejoiced  to  learn  of  the  fatherly  affection  and  care  which 
you  show  for  the  welfare  of  this  growing  congregation.  We  also 
learned  thereby  of  the  trouble,  you  have  taken  with  the  Lords  Di- 
rectors, to  prevent  the  evils  threatened  to  our  congregation  by 
the  creeping  in  of  erroneous  spirits;  and  of  your  Reverences'  de- 
sire, to  be  informed  of  the  condition  of  the  churches  in  this  coun- 
try. 

We  answered  you  in  the  autumn  of  the  year  1656,  and  ex- 
plained all  things  in  detail.  To  this  we  have  as  yet  received  no 
reply,  and  are  therefore  in  doubt,  whether  our  letters  reached 
you.     This  present  letter  must  therefore  serve  the  same  end. 

The  Lutherans  here  pretended,  last  year,  that  they  had  obtained 
the  consent  of  the  Lords  Directors,  to  call  a  Lutheran  Pastor 
from  Holland.  They  therefore  requested  the  Hon.  Director  and 
the  Council,  that  they  should  have  permission,  meanwhile,  to  hold 
their  conventicles  to  prepare  the  way  for  their  expected  and  com- 
ing pastor.  Although  they  began  to  urge  this  rather  saucily,  we, 
nevertheless,  animated  and  encouraged  by  your  letters,  hoped  for 
the  best,  yet  feared  the  worst,  which  has  indeed  come  to  pass. 
For  although  we  could  not  have  believed  that  such  permission  had 
been  given  by  the  Lords  Directors,  there  nevertheless  arrived  here, 
with  the  ship  ''  Meulen "  (The  Mill)  in  July  last,  a  Lutheran 
preacher  Joannes  Ernestus  Goetwater,  to  the  great  joy  of  the 
Lutherans,  but  to  the  special  displeasure  and  uneasiness  of  the 


1657 


1667 


394  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

congregation  in  tliis  place;  yea,  even  tiie  whole  country  including 
the  English,  were  displeased. 

We  addressed  ourselves,  therefore,  to  his  Honor,  the  Director^ 
General,  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  (Aldermen)  of  this 
place,  and  presented  the  enclosed  petition.  As  a  result  thereof, 
the  Lutheran  pastor  was  summoned  before  their  Honors  and 
asked,  with  what  intentions  he  had  come  here,  and  what  com- 
mission and  credentials  he  possessed.  He  answered,  that  he  had 
come  to  serve  here  as  a  Lutheran  preacher,  but  that  he  had  no 
other  commission,  than  a  letter  from  the  Lutheran  Consistory  at 
Amsterdam  to  the  Lutheran  congregation  here.  He  was  then 
informed  by  the  Hon.  authorities  here,  that  he  must  abstain  from 
all  church  services,  and  from  the  holding  of  any  meetings,  and 
not  even  deliver  the  letter,  which  he  brought  from  the  Lutherans 
at  Amsterdam  without  further  orders;  but  that  he  must  regu- 
late himself  by  the  edicts  of  this  Province  against  private  con- 
venticles. He  promised  to  do  this,  adding,  however,  that  with  the 
next  ships  he  expected  further  orders  and  his  regular  commis- 
sion. In  the  meantime,  however,  we  had  the  snake  in  our  bosom. 
We  would  have  been  glad  if  the  authorities  here  had  opend  that 
letter  of  the  Lutheran  Consistoiw,  to  learn  therefrom  the  secret 
of  his  mission,  but  as  yet  they  have  not  been  willing  to  do  this. 

We  then  demanded  that  our  authorities  here  should  send  back 
the  Lutheran  preacher,  who  had  come  without  the  consent  of  the 
Lords  Directors,  in  the  same  ship  in  which  he  had  come,  in  order 
to  put  a  stop  to  this  work,  which  they  evidently  intended  to  prose- 
cute with  a  hard  Lutheran  head,  in  spite  of  and  against  the  will 
of  our  magistrates;  for  we  suspect  that  this  one  has  come  over  to 
see  whether  he  can  pass,  and  be  allowed  to  remain  here,  and  thus 
to  lay  the  foundation  for  further  efforts ;  but  we  do  not  yet  know 
what  we  can  accomplish. 

Domine  Gideon  Schaats  wrote  to  you  last  year  about  the  con- 
gregation at  Rensselaerswyck  or  Beverwyck,  as  he  intends  to  do 


OF  THE  State  of  E^ew  Yokk.  395 

1657 

again.  We  know  nothing  otherwise  than  that  the*  congregation 
there  is  in  a  good  condition;  that  it  is  growing  vigorously,  so  that 
it  is  almost  as  strong  as  we  are  here  at  the  Manhatans.  They 
built  last  year  a  handsome  parsonage.  On  the  South  Eiver,  mat- 
ters relating  to  religion  and  the  church  have  hitherto  progressed 
very  unsatisfactorily;  first  because  we  had  there  only  one  little 
fort,  and  in  it  a  single  Conamissary,  with  ten  to  twenty  men,  all 
in  the  Company's  service,  merely  for  trading  with  the  Indians. 
Secondly:  In  the  year  1651  Fort  E'assau  was  abandoned  and 
razed,  and  another,  called  Fort  Casemier,  was  erected,  lower  down 
and  nearer  to  the  seaboard.  This  was  provided  with  a  stronger 
garrison,  and  was  reinforced  by  several  freemen,  who  lived  near  it. 

But  the  Swedes,  increasing  there  in  numbers,  troubled  and 
annoyed  our  people  daily.  After  they  had  taken  Fort  Casemier 
from  us,  they  annoyed  our  countrymen  so  exceedingly,  that  the 
South  River  was  abandoned  by  them.  However  in  the  year  1655 
our  people  recovered  Fort  Casemier,  and  now  it  is  held  by  a  suf- 
ficiently strong  garrison,  including  several  freemen,  who  also  have 
dwellings  about.  One  was  then  appointed,  to  read  to  them  on 
Sundays,  from  the  Postilla.  This  is  continued  to  this  day.  The 
Lutheran  preacher  (Peter  Hjort)  who  was  there  was  returned  to 
Sweden. 

Two  miles  from  Forst  Casemier,  up  the  river,  is  another  Fort, 
called  Christina.  This  was  also  taken  by  our  people,  at  the  same 
time,  and  the  preacher  there  (Xertunius)  was  sent  away,  with 
the  Swedish  garrison. 

But  because  many  Swedes  and  Fins,  at  least  two  hundred,  live 
above  Fort  Christina,  two  or  three  miles  further  up  the  river,  the 
Swedish  Governor  made  a  condition  in  his  capitulation,  that  they 
might  retain  one  Lutheran  preacher,  (Lokenius)  to  teach  these 
people  in  their  language.  This  was  granted  then  the  more  easily. 
First,  because  new  troubles  had  broken  out  at  Manhattan  with 
the  Indian,  it  was  desirable  to  shorten  proceedings  here  and  re- 


1657 


396  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

turn  to  the  Manhattans  to  put  things  in  order  there.  Secondly 
because  there  was  no  Reformed  preacher  here,  nor  any  Avho 
understood  their  language,  to  be  located  there. 

This  Lutheran  preacher  (Lokenius)  is  a  man  of  impious  and 
scandalous  habits,  a  wild,  drunken,  unmannerly  clo^vn,  more  in- 
clined to  look  into  the  wine  can  than  into  the  Bible.  He  would 
prefer  drinking  brandy  two  hours  to  preaching  one ;  and  when  the 
sap  is  in  the  wood  his  hands  itch  and  he  wants  to  fight  whomso- 
ever he  meets.  The  Commandant  at  Fort  Casimir,  Jean  Paulus 
Jacquet,  brother-in-law  of  Domine  Casparus  Carpentier,  told  us, 
that  during  last  spring  this  preacher  was  tippling  ^\dth  a  smith, 
and  while  yet  over  their  brandy  they  came  to  fisticuffs,  and  beat 
each  others  heads  black  and  blue;  yea,  that  the  smith  tore  all 
the  clothing  from  the  preachers  body,  so  that  this  godly  minister 
escaped  in  primitive  nakedness,  and  although  so  poorly  clothed, 
yet  sought  quarrels  with  others.    Sed  hoc  parergiccos. 

On  Long  Island  there  are  seven  villages,  belonging  to  this 
Province,  of  which  three,  Breuckelen,  (Brooklyn)  Amesfoort, 
(Flatlands,)  and  Midwout  (Flatbush)  are  inhabited  by  Dutch  peo- 
ple, who  formerly  used  to  come  here  (to  New  Amsterdam)  to 
communion  and  other  services  to  their  great  inconvenience.  Som6 
had  to  travel  for  three  hours  to  reach  this  place.  Therefore, 
when  Domine  Polheymus  arrived  here  from  Brazil,  they  called 
him  as  preacher,  which  the  Director-General  and  Council  con- 
firmed. 

The  four  other  tillages  on  Long  Island,  viz.,  Gravensand, 
(Gravesend,)  Middelburgh,  (Newtown,)  Ylissingen,  (Flushing,) 
and  Heemstede  are  inhabited  by  Englishmen.  The  people  of 
Gravensand  are  considered  Mennonites.  The  majority  of  them 
reject  the  baptism  of  infants,  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  the 
ofiice  of  preacher,  and  any  teachers  of  God's  word.  They  say 
that  thereby  all  sorts  of  contentions  have  come  into  the  world. 
"Whenever  they  meet,  one  or  the  other  reads  somel^ing  to  them. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  Yoek.  39 Y 

At  Ylissingen,  they  formerly  had  a  Presbyterian  minister 
(Doughty)  who  was  in  agreement  with  our  own  church.  But  at 
present,  many  of  them  have  become  imbued  with  divers  opinions 
and  it  is  with  them  "  quot  homines  tot  sententiae."  They  began 
to  absent  themselves  from  the  sermon  and  would  not  pay  the 
preacher  the  salary  promised  to  him.  He  was  therefore  obliged 
to  leave  the  place  and  go  to  the  English  Virginias.  They  have 
now  been  without  a  preacher  for  several  years.  Last  year  a 
troublesome  fellow,  a  cobbler  from  Ehode  Island  in  I^ew  Eng- 
land, came  there  saying,  he  had  a  commission  from  Christ.  He 
began  to  preach  at  Ylissingen  and  then  went  with  the  people  into 
the  river  and  baptized  them.  When  this  became  known  here,  the 
Eiscal  went  there,  brought  him  to  this  place,  and  he  was  banished 
from  the  Province. 

At  Middelburgh,  alias  ISTewtown,  they  are  mostly  Independents 
and  have  a  man,  called  Joannes  Moor  of  the  same  way  of  think- 
ing, who  preaches  there,  but  does  not  serve  the  sacraments.  He 
says,  he  was  licensed  in  IS^ew  England  to  preach,  but  not  author- 
ized to  administer  the  sacraments.  He  has  thus  continued  for 
some  years.  Some  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  village  are  Presby- 
terians, but  they  cannot  be  supplied  by  a  Presbyterian  preacher. 
Indeed,  we  do  not  know  that  there  are  any  preachers  of  this  de- 
nomination to  be  found  among  any  of  the  English  of  'New  Eng- 
land. 

At  Heemstede,  about  seven  Dutch  miles  (twenty  one  English 
miles)  from  here,  there  live  some  Independents.  There  are  also 
many  of  our  own  church,  and  some  Presbyterians.  They  have  a 
Presbyterian  preacher,  Richard  Denton,  a  pious,  godly  and 
learned  man,  who  is  in  agreement  with  our  church  in  ever^'-thing. 
The  Independents  of  the  place  listen  attentively  to  his  sermons; 
but  when  he  began  to  baptize  the  children  of  parents,  who  are 
not  members  of  the  church,  they  rushed  out  of  the  church. 

On  the  west  shore  of  the  East  Eiver,  about  one  mile  beyond 


1657* 


1657 


398  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Hellgate,  as  we  call  it,  and  opposite  Flnsliing,  is  another  Englisli 
village,  called  Oostdoi'p,  "^'hicb.  was  begain  two  years  ago.  The  in- 
habitants of  this  place  are  also  Puritans  or  Independents.  ITeither 
have  they  a  preacher,  but  they  hold  meetings  on  Sunday,  and 
read  a  sermon  of  some  English  writer,  and  have  a  prayer. 

About  eighteen  (Dutch)  miles  (fifty  four  English  miles)  up  the 
ISTorth  River,  half  way  between  the  Manhattans  and  Rensselaer 
or  Beverwyck,  lies  a  place,  called  by  the  Dutch  Esopus  or  Sypous, 
and  by  the  Indians,  Atharhacton.  It  is  an  exceedingly  fine  coun- 
try there.  Thereupon  some  Dutch  families  settled  there  who  are 
doing  very  well.  They  hold  Sunday  meetings  and  then  one  or 
the  other  of  them  reads  from  the  Postilla. 

Such  is  the  condition  of  the  church  in  our  Province.  To  this 
we  must  add,  that,  as  far  as  we  know,  not  one  of  all  these  places, 
Dutch  or  English  has  a  schoolmaster,  except  the  Manhattans, 
Beverwyck,  and  now  also  Fort  Casimir  on  the  South  River.  And 
although  some  parents  try  to  give  their  children  some  instruction, 
the  success  is  far  from  satisfactory,  and  we  can  expect  nothing 
else  than  young  men  of  foolish  and  undisciplined  minds.  We  see 
at  present  no  way  of  improving  this  state  of  affairs ;  first,  because 
some  of  the  villages  are  just  starting,  and  have  no  means,  the 
people  having  come  half  naked  and  poor  from  Holland,  to  pay  a 
preacher  and  schoolmaster;  secondly,  because  there  are  few  quali- 
fied persons  here  who  can  or  will  teach. 

We  can  say  but  little  of  the  conversion  of  the  heathens  or  In- 
dians here,  and  see  no  way  to  accomplish  it,  until  they  are  sub- 
dued by  the  numbers  and  power  of  our  people,  and  reduced  to 
some  sort  of  civilization;  and  also  unless  our  people  set  them  a 
better  example,  than  they  have  done  heretofore. 

We  have  had  an  Indian  here  with  us  for  about  two  years.  He 
can  read  and  write  Dutch  very  well.  We  have  instructed  him  in 
the  fundamental  principles  of  our  religion,  and  he  answers  pub- 
licly in  church,  and  can  repeat  the  Commandments.     We  have 


OF   THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  399 

1657 

given  him  a  Bible,  hoping  he  might  do  some  good  among  the  In- 
dians, but  it  all  resulted  in  nothing.  He  took  to  drinking  brandy, 
he  pawned  the  Bible,  and  turned  into  a  regular  beast,  doing  more 
harm  than  good  among  the  Indians. 

Closing  we  commend  your  Reverences  to  the  gracious  protec- 
tion of  the  Almighty,  whom  we  pray  to  bless  you  in  the  Sacred 
Ministry.  Yestri  et  officio  et  affectu, 

Johannes  Megapolensis. 
Samuel  Drissius. 
Amsterdam,  in  E^ew  ISTetherland, 
the  6th  of  August,  1657. 

(Compare  this  translation  with  one  found  in  Doc.  Hist.  1^.  Y. 
iii.  69-72;  4to  ed.) 

[The  following  Postscript  to  the  above  letter,  nine  days  after, 
is  not  given  in  Documentary  History.     It  is  as  follows : — ] 

Reverend,  Pious,  Yery  Learned  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ : — 

Just  after  closing  our  recent  letter  of  August  5th,  it  happened 
that  on  August  6th  (or  12th)  a  ship  came  from  the  sea  to  this 
place,  and  approached  the  Fort,  having  no  flag  flying  from  the 
topmast,  nor  from  any  other  place  on  the  ship;  only  from  the  fore- 
mast a  small  burgee  floated  to  indicate  the  wind.  We  could  not 
decide  whether  she  was  Dutch,  French,  or  English.  They  fired 
no  salute  before  the  fort,  as  is  usual  with  ships  on  their  arrival. 
When  the  Fiscal  went  on  board,  they  tendered  him  no  honor  or 
respect.  When  the  master  of  the  ship  came  on  shore  and  appeared 
before  the  Director-General,  he  rendered  him  no  respect,  but  stood 
still  with  his  hat  firm  on  his  head,  as  if  a  goat.  The  Director- 
General  could  with  difficulty  get  a  word  from  any  of  them.  He 
only  learned  that  they  had  come  from  London  in  about  eight 
weeks.  When  asked  as  to  the  condition  of  Holland,  France,  etc., 
hardly  a  word  could  be  drawn  from  them.  At  last  information 
was  gained  that  it  was  a  ship  with  Quakers  on  board.  The  fol- 
lomng  morning  early  they  hoisted  anchor  and  sailed  eastward,  to- 


400  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

1657 

wards  Hellgate,  as  we  call  it,  in  the  direction  of  'New  England. 
We  suppose  they  went  to  Ehode  Island;  for  that  is  the  receptacle 
of  all  sorts  of  riff-raff  people,  and  is  nothing  else  than  the  sewer, 
(latrina)  of  Xew  England.    All  the  cranks  of  New  England  retire 
thither.     We  suppose  they  will  settle  there,  as  they  are  not  tol- 
erated by  the  Independents  in  any  other  place.     Last  year  there 
also  arrived  at  Boston,  in  ISTew  England,  several  of  these  Quakers, 
but  they  were  immediately  put  in  prison  and  then  sent  back  in  the 
same  ship.    Probably  fearing  the  same  thing,  these  Quakers  came 
this  way,  and  then  passed  on.    But  they  did  not  pass  from  us  so 
hastily,  as  not  to  leave  some  evidences  of  their  having  been  here, 
for  they  left  behind  two  strong  young  women.     As  soon  as  the 
ship  had'  fairly  departed,  these  began  to  quake  and  go  into  a 
frenzy,  and  cry  out  loudly  in  the  middle  of  the  street,  that  men 
should  repent,  for  the  day  of  judgement  was  at  hand.     Our  people 
not  knowing  what  was  the  matter,  ran  to  and  fro,  while  one  cried 
"  Eire  ",  and  another  something  else.     The  Eiscal,  ^Yith.  an  ac- 
companying officer,  seized  them  both  by  the  head,  and  led  them 
to  prison.     On  their  way  to  jail,  they  continued  to  cry  out  and 
pray  according  to  their  manner,  and  continued  to  do  the  same 
when  in  prison.     We  perceive  from  this  circumstance  that  the 
devil  is  the  same  everywhere.     The  same  instruments  which  he 
uses  to  disturb  the  churches  in  Europe,  he  employs  here  in  Amer- 
ica.    We  trust  that  our  God  will  baffle  the  designs  of  the  devil, 
and  preserve  us  in  the  truth,  and  bring  to  nothing  these  machina- 
tions of  Satan.    Finally,  we  commend  your  Reverences  to  the  pro- 
tection of  the  Most  High,  while  we  beseech  him  to  bless  us  all  in 
the  ministry,  to  the  edification  of  his  church. 

Your  dutiful  servants, 

Joannes  Megapolensis. 

Samuel  Drisius. 
Amsterdam,  in  ISfew  !N"etherland, 
August  14th,  1657. 


OF  THE  State  of  Xev7  York.  *  401 

165Y,  Aug.  10. 

Evert  Pietersen,  ScliQolmaster  at  Soiitli  Eiver,  Delaware,  to  the 
Commissioners  in  Fort  Amstel,  Soutli  Eiver,  ISTew  E'ether- 
land. 

We  arrived  here  on  April  25th  (165Y).  I  find  twenty  fami- 
lies, mostly  Swedes.  iSTot  more  than  five  or  six  families  belong  to 
our  nation.  I  have  already  begun  to  keep  school,  and  have  twenty 
^Y^  children,  etc. 

Your  Honor's  most  obedient  servant, 

Evert  Pietersen. 

1657,  Aug.  12th. 

Evert  Pietersen  to  the  Reverend,  Learned,  Pious  Domine  Hendric 
Ruileus,  minister  of  Jesus  Christ  in  the  flourishing  congrega- 
tion of  the  City  of  Amsterdam. 

Domine  Hendric  Ruileus : 
Emanuel ! 

Reverend  Brother  in  Christ  Jesus.  Wishing  you  all  bodily 
and  spiritual  blessing  in  Jesus  Christ,  I  hope  this  will  find  you 
and  your  family  in  good  health.  I  thank  the  Lord  heartily  for 
my  own  health.  We  have  received  very  joyful  news  by  the  ships 
which  have  arrived  from  the  Fatherland  at  the  Manhattans,  or  at 
New  Amstel.  We  learn  '^  De  Wagh ''  is  coming  with  a  galiot, 
bringing  about  four  hundred  people,  among  whom  is  the  preacher, 
called  Johannis  (Everardus  %)  Weelius,  and  also  my  son,  Arent 
Evertsen,  a  miller  who  comes  over  as  super  cargo.  It  makes  me 
very  glad,  to  see  my  children  thus  prospering.  My  son  Jan  Evert- 
sen, goes  daily  to  the  office  of  the  Director  to  write,  for  which  he 
receives  his  thanks.  He  is  on  the  road  to  success.  We  look  with 
longing  for  the  arrival  of  this  ship  ^^  De  Wagh  "  and  trust  that 
under  Divine  Providence,  we  shall  soon  hear  of  her  arrival.  If 
any  mishap  should  befall  her,  we  would  suffer  a  great  famine  this 

26 


1657 


1657 


402  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

winter.  I  must  further  tell  you,  that  I  am  engaged  in  keeping 
school,  with  twenty  five  children  in  it;  but  I  have  no  paper  nor 
pens  for  the  use  of  the  children,  nor  slates  and  pencils.  As  soon 
as  winter  begins  and  they  can  no  longer  work  on  the  soil,  old  and 
young  will  come  to  school,  and  learn  to  read,  write  (and  cipher). 
But  I  have  nothing,  from  which  to  teach  them.  To  keep  school 
here,  is  something  of  a  novelty,  as  it  has  not  been  done  before. 
The  books  mentioned  on  the  enclosed  memorandum,  please  to  take 
care  that  they  be  sent  by  the  first  ship,  for  I  am  especially  in  need 
of  them.  Please  to  speak  to  van  Beeck,  as  to  the  price  at  which 
I  am  to  sell  them.  Let  the  paper  and  books  be  packed  separately, 
for  if  they  get  into  the  Directors  hands,  we  cannot  get  them. 
I  must  also  respectfully  request  you,  to  be  kind  enough  to  go  with 
my  wife  to  van  Beeck,  and  ask  him  to  help  her  to  get  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  guilders  of  my  already  earned  wages,  and  which 
must  now  stand  to  my  credit;  for  I  receive  forty  guilders  per 
month.  This  will  assist  her  in  making  provision  for  the  winter, 
by  buying  meats,  bacon,  turf  and  wood.  Otherwise  she  could  not 
get  along  decently  with  the  children,  but  would  perish  in  sorrow. 
I  have  also  written  to  van  Beeck,  that  our  steward,  Cors.  Jansen, 
has  robbed  the  magazine.  He  was  caught  at  it  by  the  soldiers  and 
banished  from  the  river  for  twentv  one  years,  and  neither  he  nor 
his  children  may  enter  into  any  public  service.  I  expect  a  letter 
from  you  next  spring,  with  information  in  it  of  what  our  colonists 
write  home,  as  great  complaints  are  heard  here  against  our  Di- 
rector. He  does  not  observe  the  ninth  and  twentv  fifth  articles; 
for  the  colonists  are  obliged  to  buy  everything  at  fixed  prices,  when 
they  need  anything.  They  are  also  put  on  rations;  seven  pounds 
of  bread;  four  of  wheat,  two  cups  (pints)  of  groimd  barley;  one 
cup  of  peas,  one  pound  of  codfish,  per  w^eek;  a  child  on  half  ra- 
tions ;  one  quart  of  oil,  half  a  pint  of  vinegar ;  but  the  men,  who 
go  to  w^ork  in  the  woods  daily,  cannot  live  on  this.  Hence  there  is 
a  great  deal  of  murmuring.     One  has  written  this,  and  another 


OF  THE  State  of  'New  Yoek.  403 

1657 

that,  to  their  friends  at  home.  So  much  discontent  has  been  cre- 
ated, that  about  thirty  families,  living  at  the  Manhattans,  who  were 
readv  to  come  here  to  the  South  River,  have  remained  in  their 
places,  because  of  the  ill-intentioned  writing  from  here,  that  the 
people  suffered  hunger.  I  fear  that  such  rumors  circulating  in 
the  Fatherland,  will  stay  this  good  work.  "Write  me  also  of  the 
war  between  the  Swedes  and  Danes,  and  send  a  part  of  the 
Gazettes,  that  I  may  have  something  else  to  read.  Herewith  clos- 
ing and  commending  you  to  God's  protection  I  salute  you,  with 
your  dear  wife  and  children,  most  heartily.  •  Please  to  send  the 
enclosed  letter  to  my  wife. 

Your  friend, 

Mr.  Evert  Pietersen. 
Dated  the  12th  of  Augaist,  1657, 
at  Fort  'New  Amstel,  on  the  South  River 
in  New  l^etherland. 

Synod  of  ISTgrth  Holland,  at  Haarlem. 

1657,  Aug.  13  et  seq. 
Art.  2.     Register. 

According  to  Article  55,  of  the  preceding  Synod:  This  speaks 
of  the  well  known  Register-book,  and  refers  to  the  inserting  of 
resolutions  and  apostillen  in  the  Acta  of  Synod. 

After  this,  it  was  resolved  to  hold  this  matter  in  abeyance,  until 
the  respective  Classes  could  bring  in  resolutions  on  that  point  to 
this  Synod  at  the  beginning  thereof.  These  having  been  read, 
it  was  found  that  the  Classes,  by  a  majority  of  votes,  declared 
that  henceforth  the  Register-book,  as  begun  two  years  ago,  (1655), 
shall  remain  in  esse ;  and  that  only  the  summaries  of  the  Remon- 
strances (Memorials)  and  Petitions  shall  be  inserted  in  the  Acta 
of  Synod ;  but  the  resolutions  and  apostillen  in  plena  forma. 


1657 


404  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Article  35. 

Extracts  concerning  the  state  of  the  Indian  and  other  foreign 
churches,  handed  in  to  the  Rev.  Synod,  and  read  by  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Amsterdam: 


The  Lutherans  in  l^ew  l^etherland,  having  attempted  the  pub- 
lic exercises  of  their  religion,  have  been  opposed  therein  with  good 
endeavors,  and  not  without  fair  success. 


Sent  to  'New  ISTetherland  as  a  minister.  Rev.  Everardus  Welius, 
in  April  1657;  as  siekentrooster  and  school-master,  Aert  Pieter- 
sen,  in  December  1658  (1656?) 


Sent  as  siekentrooster  to  the  East  Indies,   in  October   1656^ 
John  Walraven. 

Eathee  Simo]^  Le  Moyne. 

i  1657,     Aug.     26. 

This  Missionary,  Pere  Le  Moyne,*  had  followed  some  Christian  Hurons  into 
the  Mohawk  territory,  and  took  occasion  soon  after  to  visit  New  Amsterdam, 
for  the  purpose  of  affording  spiritual  comfort  to  the  Catholics  residing  in  that 
city,  as  well  as  to  some  French  sailors  who  had  recently  arrived  with  a  prize 
at  that  port.  The  Dutch,  always  alive  to  the  extension  of  their  commerce, 
seized  the  occasion  of  this  visit  to  demand  permission  to  visit  the  St.  Lawrence 
for  the  purpose  of  trade,  and  solicit  Le  Moyne  to  represent  their  wishes  to  the 
Governor  of  Canada.  The  Jesuit's  representations  were  crowned  with  success. 
The  Canadian  Governor  consented  that  New  Netherland  vessels  should  hence- 
forward resort  to  Quebec,  on  the  same  terms  as  French  ships,  with  this  reserve, 
however,    that    the    Dutch    should    not    participate    in    the    Indian    trade,    nor    be 


*  "  This  Simon  Le  Moyne  has  been  with  Indians  from  the  Indian  country  several 
times  at  Fort  Orange.  At  last  he  came  here  to  the  Manhattans,  without  doubt, 
on  account  of  the  Papists  residing  here,  and  especially  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  French  sailors,  who  are  Papists,  and  who  have  arrived  here  with  a  good 
prize."  Rev.  Domine  Megapolensis  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  On  his  return 
to  Fort  Orange,  the  Jesuit  wrote  three  essays:  1.  On  the  Succession  of  the 
Popes;  2.  On  the  Council;  3.  On  Heretics;  which  he  sent  to  Rev.  Mr.  Meeapo- 
lensis  with  a  letter  commending  them  to  his  study,  adding,  "  that  Christ  hanging 
on  the  wood  of  the  cross  was  still  ready  to  receive  his  repentance,"  (or  conver- 
sion.) The  Dutch  Domine  sent  an  answer  by  a  yacht  then  on  the  eve  of  sailing 
from  New  Amsterdam  for  Canada.  But  the  vessel  was  lost,  and  so  Pere  Le 
Moyne  never  received  this  reply  to  his  "  Catalogos."  [See  letter  of  Megapolensis 
to  Classis,  Sept.  28,  1658,  and  also  his  reply  to  Le  Moyne,  a  copy  of  which  he 
made  and  sent  to  Holland  and  is  now  in  the  Archives  of  General  Synod  —  nine 
closely  written  pages.]     See  letter  of  September  28,  1658. 


OF  THE  State  of  IsTew  Yokk.  405 

1657 

allowed  the  public  exercise  of  their  relation  In  that  country.  As  this  proviso 
was  merely  a  counterpart  of  the  rules  which  the  Dutch  themselves  prescribed 
In  their  province,  they  did  not  object;  on  the  contrary,  they  hastened  to  take 
advantage  of  the  "  happy  and  fortunate,"  circumstances,  and  prepared  to  "  plough 
with  their  craft  "  the  waters  of  the  St.  Lawrence.—  O'Callaghan's  History  of 
New  Netherland,  vol.  11.,  363.  • 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  Henr.  Selyns. 

1667,  Sept.  3rd. 

Eev.  Henricus  Selyns  asks  that  lie  may  be  examined  prepara- 
toir  (for  licensure)  This  was  granted  him  upon  his  praiseworthy 
credentials  ecclesiastical  as  well  as  academic. —  vi.  74. 

Rev.  Henr.  Selyns. 

1657,  Oct.   2nd. 

Rev.  Henricus  Selyns  having  made  his  exposition,  (preached 
his  sermon)  on  John  5 :39,  Search  the  scriptures,  etc.  and  hav- 
ing then  been  examined  in  the  principal  articles  of  the  Christian 
Reformed  Religion,  gave  such  very  great  satisfaction  to  the  Assem- 
bly, both  by  his  preaching  and  by  his  answers  to  the  questions  of 
the  Rev.  Examiner,  that  he  was  admitted  to  the  public  ministry 
(preaching)  after  the  signing  of  the  Acta  (the  Formulae)  re- 
quired.—  vi.  79.  » 

Petition  of  the  Lutherans  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of 

!N"ew  I^etherland,  Oct.  10,  1657. 

To  the  ISToble  Honorable  Director-General,  and  the  Council  of  'New 
N"etherland :  — 

With  all  due  respect,  we,  the  adherents  of  the  Unaltered  Augs- 
burg Confession,  here  in  New  ITetherland,  and  under  the  judisdic- 
tion  of  the  Lords  Principals  of  the  West  India  Company,  hereby 
show,  that  the  Burgomasters  of  this  City  of  Amsterdam  in  IsTew 
ISTetherland,  have  received  an  order  from  your  Honors,  first,  by 
the  City  Messenger  Gysbert  op  Dyck,  and  shortly  after  by  the 
Honorable  Fiscal,  Nicasius  de  Sille,  to  the  Rev.  Master  in  The- 


1657 


406  Ecclesiastical  Records 

ologj,  Johannis  Ernestus  GiitTvasser,  that  he  must  and  shall  de- 
part in  the  ship,  the  ^^  Waag '',  (the  Balance),  now  ready  to  sail. 
Wherefore,  in  paying  our  respects  to  your  Honors,  we  beg  to  say 
that  in  accordance  with  your  Honors  orders  and  public  announce- 
ments he  has  behaved  as  an  honest  man,  and  has  never  refused 
obedience  to  your  orders  and  edicts,  but  has  always  given  good  heed 
to  them ;  and  we  too,  have  behaved  quietly  and  obediently,  while 
we  expect  from  higher  authority,  the  toleration  of  our  religion  — 
that  of  the  Unaltered  Augsburg  Confession.  To  this  result  we 
still  look  forward  after  receipt  of  another  letter  to  us. 

We  humbly  supplicate  your  Honors,  that  the  sudden  orders, 
the  one  by  the  City  Messenger,  and  the  other  by  the  Eiscal,  to 
Domine  Johannis  Ernestus  Goetwasser,  may  be  revoked  by  your 
Honors,  until  we  receive  further  orders  from  their  High  Mighti- 
nesses, our  sovereigns,  and  from  the  ]N'oble  Lord  Directors  of  the 
Privileged  West  India  Company.  Remaining  your  Honors'  faith- 
ful and  watchful  (servants)  and  good  Christians,  all  adherents 
of  the  Unaltered  Augsburg  Confession,  and  having  been  admitted 
into  ISTew  [N'etherland,  we,  in  the  absence  of  the  others,  have  signed 
this  petition :  Mattheus  Capito,  Christian  IN'iesen,  Harmen  Edu- 
warsen,  Hans  Dreper,  Lourens  Andriesen,  Luycas  Dircksen,  XX 
Jan  Jansen,  XX  Jochem  Beeckman,  Andries  Bees,  Luycas  Elder- 
sen,  Harmen  Jansen,  Jan  Cornelisse,  Davidt  Wessels,  Hans  Sille- 
javck,  Hendrick  Hendricksen,  XX  Meyndert  Barentsen,  Harmen 
Smeeman,  Cristian  Barentsen,  George  Hanel,  Pieter  Jansen,  XX 
Winckelhoeck,  Claes  de  Wit,  XX  Jacob  Elders,  Hendrick  Wil- 
lemse.  We  await  your  Honors  favorable  decision.  Amsterdam, 
in  ISTew  ISTetherland,  this  10th  day  of  October,  Anno  1657. 

As  answer  this  may  serve:  that  the  Director-General  and  the 
Council  do  not  recognize  the  Unaltered  Augsburg  Confession, 
much  less  any  of  the  adherents  of  it.  They  confirm,  therefore, 
hereby,  their  order  and  resolution  of  the  4th  of  September,  sent 
to  Johannis  Ernestus  Goetwasser,  who  calls  himself  a  Lutheran 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  407 

1657 

preacher,  at  Amsterdam,  in  ^ew  i^etherland.  Since  that  order, 
five  or  six  weeks  ago,  two  ships  have  sailed,  on  board  of  one  of 
which  the  said  Goesswater  was  ordered  to  depart.  As  he  has 
treated  the  order  of  this  Provincial  Government  with  contempt, 
he  is  hereby  once  again  commanded  to  leave  with  one  of  the  ships 
now  ready  to  sail.  The  Director-General  and  Council  consider 
this  necessary  for  the  glory  of  God,  for  the  success  of  the  Re- 
formed Religion,  and  the  common  quiet,  peace  and  harmony  of 
this  Province.  Thus  done  at  the  meeting  of  the  Honorable  Di- 
rector-General and  the  Council,  held  at  Port  Amsterdam  in  ISTew 
Motherland  on  the  16th  of  October  1657.  By  order  of  the  Hon. 
Director-General  and  Council  aforesaid. 

C.  V.  Ruyven,  Secretary.    ■    . 

Having  compared  the  foregoing  petition  and  order,  it  is  found 

correct. 

C.  Y.  Ruyven,  Secretary. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Gutwasser,  Lutheran  Minister^  to  the  Governor 

AND  Council. 

1657,  Oct.  15th. 

To  the  JSToble,   Honorable  Director-General   and   the  Honorable 
Council  of  ISTew  ISTetherland :  — 

In  answer  to  the  repeated  verbal  and  written  denunciations  or 
orders  to  me,  to  depart  from  here  within  three  times  twenty  four 
hours,  I  wish  humbly  to  submit  to  your  Honors  for  your  favor- 
able hearing  and  decision,  a  very  few  points,  as  follows : 

1.  That  I  do  not  deny  your  Honors'  declaration,  as  expressed, 
that  I  desire  to  be  free  from  char2;es  of  disobedience. 

2.  But  also  I  do  not  consent  to  defend  myself  in  such  a  troubled 
state  of  conscience. 

3.  Therefore  I  would  like  to  know,  why  this  order  has  been 
issued  against  me. 

4.  For  I  have  exhibited  my  passports,  and  therewith  the  per- 
mission of  the  Lords  Directors,  who  promise  me  still  other  favors. 


1657 


403  Ecclesiastical  Kecokds 

5.  The  special  permission  from  your  Honors,  to  live  here,  as  a 
free  student  is  nowhere  canceled. 

6.  What  has  been  asked,  is,  will  and  shall  be  mediis  lieites  via 
consessa  et  at  competentis  personas,  also  done  here. 

7.  I  have  behaved  myself  here  in  such  a  way  that  I  cannot  be 
accused  of  Crimen  Laesae  Majestatis. 

8.  N^either  shall  any  evil  be  done  by  me  hereafter. 

9.  While  I  am  waiting  for  further  orders  from  Holland,  ac- 
cording to  promise. 

10.  I  find  myself  worried  about  my  affairs ;  for  I  cannot  wisely 
handle  my  property,  scattered  here  and  there,  in  obedience  to  your 
sudden  order.  I  am  also  of  opinion,  that  much  depends  on  my 
reputation  and  habits  (fama  et  vita),  which  would  be  endangered 
by  the  order  given  me,  and  which  your  Honors  must  also  consider. 

I  desire  to  inform  your  Honors,  as  to  my  humble  opinions  on 
few  points;  Your  Honors  will  please  to  consider  justly  the  fore- 
going points,  and  not  carry  out  their  unexpected  sentence  against 
me.     Awaiting  your  Honors'  favorable  decision, 
Amsterdam  in  IsTew  N^etherland,  the  15th  of  October  1657. 

Your  IsToble  Honors, 

John  Ernestus  Gutwasser. 

The  foregoing  request  was  handed  in  to  the  meeting  of  Di- 
rector-General and  Council  and  having  been  read,  the  following 
decision  was  given. 

The  petitioner,  who  forgets  himself  and  the  truth,  is  reminded, 
that  the  order  for  his  departure  was  served  upon  him  -^ve  or  six 
weeks  ago,  and  sent  in  writing.  Since  that  time  two  ships  have 
sailed.  In  one  of  these  he  ought  to  have  left,  according  to  order, 
but  the  petitioner  has  neglected  to  do  this,  in  contempt  of  the 
government.  He  is  once  more  commanded  to  obey  said  order  by 
going  in  one  of  the  two  ships  about  to  sail;  especially  as  the  Di- 
rector-General and  Council  consider  it  necessary  for  the  honor  of 
God,  the  advancement  of  the  Eeformed  Religion,  and  the  common 


OF  THE  State  of  !New  York.  409 

quietness,  peace  and  harmony  of  this  place.     Thus  done  at  Fort 
Amsterdam  in  N'ew  ^N'etherland,  the  16th  of  October,  Anno  1657. 
By  order  of  the  Honorable  Director-General  and  Council; 

C.  Y.  Kuyven,  Secretary. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1657,  Oct.  25th. 
Eevs.  Megapolensis  and  Drisins  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Brethren  in  Christ :  — 

Since  our  last  letter,  which  we  hope  you  are  receiving  about 
this  time,  we  have  sent  in  a  petition,  in  relation  to  the  Lutheran 
minister,  Joannes  Ernestus  Gutwasser.  Having  marked  this  on  its 
margin,  we  have  sent  it  to  the  Rev.  Brethren  of  the  Classis.  We 
hope  that  the  Classis  will  take  care  that,  if  possible,  no  other 
(minister)  be  sent  over,  as  it  is  easier  to  send  out  an  enemy  than 
afterward  to  thrust  him  out.  We  have  the  promise  that  the  magis- 
trates here  will  compell  him  to  leave  with  the  ship  De  Wage.  It 
is  said  that  there  has  been  collected  for  him  at  Fort  Orange  a 
hundred  beaver  skins,  which  are  valued  here  at  eight  hundred 
guilders,  and  which  is  the  surest  pay  in  this  country.  What  has 
been  collected  here,  (at  'New  Amsterdam),  we  cannot  tell.  Our 
magistrates  have  forbidden  him  to  preach,  as  he  has  received  no 
authority  from  the  Directors  for  that  purpose.  Yet  we  hear  that 
the  Hon.  Directors  at  Amsterdam  gave  him  permission  to  come 
over.  We  have  stated  in  a  previous  letter  the  injurious  tendency 
of  this  with  reference  to  the  prosperity  of  our  church. 

Lately  we  have  been  troubled  by  others.  Sometime  since,  a 
shoemaker,  leaving  his  wife  and  children,  came  here  and  preached 
in  conventicles.  He  was  fined,  and  not  being  able  to  pay,  was 
sent  away.  Again  a  little  while  ago  there  arrived  here  a  ship  with 
Quakers,  as  they  are  called.  They  went  away  to  E"ew  England, 
or  more  particularly,  to  Rhode  Island,  (a  place)  of  errorists  and 
enthusiasts.  It  is  called  by  the  English  themselves  the  Latrina 
of  ISTew  England.    They  left  several  behind  them  here,  who  labored 


1657 


410  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

1657 

to  create  excitement  and  tumult  among  tlie  people, —  particularly 
two  women,  the  one  about  twenty,  and  the  other  about  twenty 
eight.  These  were  quite  outrageous.  After  being  examined  and 
placed  in  prison,  they  were  sent  away.  Subsequently  a  young 
man  at  Hempstead,  an  English  town  under  the  government,  aged 
about  twenty  three  or  twenty  four  years,  was  arrested,  and  brought 
thence,  seven  (Dutch)  miles,  (twenty  one  English  miles.)  He 
had  pursued  a  similar  course  and  brought  several  under  his  influ- 
ence. The  magistrate,  in  order  to  repress  the  evil  in  the  begin- 
ning, after  he  had  kept  him  in  confinement  for  several  days,  ad- 
judged that  he  should  either  pay  one  hundred  guilders  or  work 
at  the  wheelbarrow  (Kruywagen)  two  years  with  the  negroes. 
This  he  obstinately  refused  to  do,  though  whipped  on  his  back. 
After  two  or  three  days  he  was  whipped  in  private  on  his  bare 
back,  with  threats  that  the  whipping  would  be  repeated  again  after 
two  or  three  days,  if  he  should  refuse  to  labor.  Upon  this  a  letter 
was  brought  by  an  unknown  messenger  from  a  person  unknown  to 
the  Director-General.  The  import  of  this,  (written  in  English), 
was.  Think,  my  Lord-Director,  whether  it  be  not  best  to  send  him 
to  Rhode  Island,  as  his  labor  is  hardlv  worth  the  cost.  Since  the 
arrival  of  De  Wage  from  the  South  River  (the  Director '?)  has 
again  written  to  Joannes  Ernestus  Gutwasser  to  go  away.  On 
this  he  presented  a  petition,  a  copy  of  which  is  herewith  trans- 
mitted, as  also  a  copy  (signed  by)  several  of  the  Lutheran  denomi- 
nation. We  observe  that  it  is  signed  by  the  least  respectable  of 
that  body,  and  that  the  most  influential  among  them  were  un- 
willing to  trouble  themselves  with  it.  Some  assert  that  he  has 
brought  with  him  authority  from  the  West  India  Company  to  act 
as  minister.  Whether  dismission  and  return  will  take  place  with- 
out trouble  remains  to  be  seen.  We  are  at  this  time  in  great  want 
of  English  ministers.  It  is  more  than  two  years  since  Mr,  Doughty, 
of  Flushing  which  is  a  town  here,  went  to  Virginia,  where  he  is 
now  a  preacher.  He  left  because  he  was  not  well  supported.  On 
Oct.  13,  Mr.  Moore,  of  Middleburg,  which  is  another  town  here, 
died  of  a  pestilential  disease,  which  prevailed  in  several  of  our 


OF  THE  State  of  IN'ew  Yoek.  411 

English  towns,  and  in  New  England.  He  left  a  widow  with  seven 
or  eight  children.  A  year  before,  being  dissatisfied  with  the 
meagre  and  irregular  payments  from  his  hearers,  he  went  to  Bar- 
badoes,  to  seek  to  find  another  place.  Mr.  Richard  Denton,  who 
is  sound  in  faith,  of  a  friendly  disposition,  and  beloved  by  all, 
cannot  be  induced  by  us  to  remain,  although  we  have  earnestly 
tried  to  do  this  in  various  wavs.  He  first  went  to  Virginia  to  seek 
a  situation,  complaining  of  lack  of  salary,  and  that  he  was  getting 
in  debt,  but  he  has  returned  thence.  He  is  now  fully  resolved 
to  go  to  old  England,  because  his  wife,  who  is  sickly,  will  not 
go  without  him,  and  there  is  need  of  their  going  there,  on  account 
of  a  legacy  of  four  hundred  pounds  sterling,  lately  left  by  a  de- 
ceased friend,  and  which  they  cannot  obtain  except  by  their  per- 
sonal presence.  At  Gravesend  there  never  has  been  a  minister. 
Other  settlements,  yet  in  their  infancy,  as  Aernem,  have  no  min- 
ister. It  is  therefore  to  be  feared  that  errorists  and  fanatics  may 
find  opportunity  to  gain  strength.  We  therefore  request  you,  Rev. 
Brethren,  to  solicit  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Com- 
pany, to  send  over  one  or  two  English  preachers,  and  that  direc- 
tions may  be  given  to  the  magistracy  that  the  money  paid  by  the 
English  be  paid  to  the  magistrate,  and  not  to  the  preacher,  which 
gives  rise  to  dissatisfaction,  and  that  at  the  proper  time,  any  ex- 
isting deficiency  may  be  supplied  by  the  Hon.  Directors.  Other- 
vrise  we  do  not  see  how  the  towns  will  be  able  to  obtain  ministers, 
or  if  they  obtain  them,  how  they  will  be  able  to  retain  them.  Com- 
plaints continually  reach  us  about  the  payment  of  ministers. 
I^evertheless  in  iNew  England,  there  are  few  places  without  a 
preacher,  although  there  are  many  to\\Tis  stretching  for  more  than 
one  himdred  Dutch  miles  (three  hundred  English  miles)  along 
the  coast.  Hoping  that  by  God's  blessing  and  your  care  something 
may  be  effected  in  this  matter,  we  remain, 

Your  friends  and  fellow  laborers, 

Johannes  Megapolensis. 
Manhattans,  Samuel  Drisius. 

Oct.  22,  1657. 


1657 


1657 


412  Ecclesiastical  Kecobds 

Eev.  Brethren :  — 

Since  the  writing  of  the  above  letter,  and  before  sealing  it,  we 
have  learned  from  the  Hon.  Directors  and  the  Fiscal,  that  Joannes 
Ernestns  Gutwasser  is  not  to  be  found,  that  his  bedding  and  books 
were  two  days  ago  removed,  and  that  he  has  left  our  jurisdiction. 
Still  it  is  our  opinion  that  he  remains  concealed  here,  in  order  to 
write  home,  and  make  his  appearance  (as  if)  out  of  the  Father- 
land ;  and  to  persevere  with  the  Lutherans  in  his  efforts.  We 
therefore  hope  and  pray  that  you  may,  if  possible,  take  measures 
to  prevent  this. 
Oct.  25,  1657.  Samuel  Drisius. 

To  the  Eev.  Learned,  etc., 
the  Deputies  ad  res  Indicas 
of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

(Karnes  of  Dutch  immigrants  for  165 Y.     Doc.  Hist.     ^N".  T. 
iii.  33.) 

Eemonsteance  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Flushing,  L.  I.,  Against 
THE  Law  Against  Quakers  and  Subsequent  Proceedings  by 
the  Government  Against  Them  and  Others  Favoring 
Quakers. 

« 

Right  Honorable.  You  have  been  pleased  to  send  up  unto  us  a  certain  Pro- 
hibition or  Command,  that  wee  shoulde  not  receive  or  entertalne  any  of  those 
people  called  Quakers,  because  thay  are  supposed  to  bee  by  some  seducers  of  the 
people;  for  our  parte  wee  cannot  condem  them  in  this  case,  neither  can  wee 
stretch  out  our  hands  against  them  to  punish,  bannish  or  persecute  them,  for  out 
of  Christ,  God  is  a  consuming  fire,  and  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the* 
handes  of  the  liveing  God;  wee  desire  therefore  in  this  case  not  to  judge  least  wee 
be  judged,  neither  to  Condem  least  wee  bee  Condemed,  but  rather  let  every  man 
stand  and  fall  to  his  own.  Maister  wee  are  bounde  by  the  Law  to  doe  good  unto 
all  men,  especially  to  those  of  the  Household  of  faith;  and  though  for  the  present 
wee  seeme  to  bee  unsensible  of  the  law  and  the  Lawgiver;  yet  when  death  and  the 
Law  assault  us:  if  we  have  (not)  our  advocate  to  seeke,  who  shall  plead  for  us  in 
this  case  of  Conscience  betwixt  God  and  our  own  soules;  the  powers  of  this  world 
can  neither  attack  us  neither  excuse  us,  for  if  God  justify  who  can  Condem,  and 
if  God  Condem  there  is  none  can  justifye;  and  for  those  Jealowsies  and  suspitions 
which  some  haue  of  them  that  they  are  destructive  unto  Magistracy  and  Ministry 
that  cannot  bee;  for  the  Magistrate  hath  the  Sword  in  his  hand  and  the  Minister 
hath  the  Sword  in  his  hand  as  witnesse  those  tow  great  examples  which  all 
Maiestrates  and  Ministers  are  to  follow  M  (oses)  and  Christ;  whom  God  raised 
up  Maintained  and  defended  against  all  the  Enemies  both  of  flesh  and  spirit,  and 
therefore  that  wich  is  of  God  will  stand,  and  that  which  Is  of  man  will  (come)  to 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York. 


413 


noething:  and  as  the  Lord  hath  taught  Moses,  or  the  Civill  power,  to  give  an 
outward  libertie  in  the  State  by  the  law  written  in  his  heart  designed  (for)  the 
good  of  all  and  can  truly  judge  who  is  good  and  who  is  evill,  who  is  true  and  who 
is  false,  and  can  pass  definitiue  sentence  of  life  or  (death)  against  that  man  which 
rises  up  against  the  fundamental  law  of  the  States  Generall,  soe  (he)  hath  made 
his  Ministers  a  savor  of  life  unto  (life?),  and  a  savor  of  death  unto  death. 

The  law  of  loue,  peace  and  libertie  in  the  states  extending  to  Jews,  Turks  and 
Egyptians,  as  they  are  considered  the  sonnes  of  Adam,  which  is  the  glory  of  the 
outward  State  of  Holland;  so  loue,  peace  and  libertie  extending  to  all  in  Christ 
Jesus,  Condems  hatred,  warre  and  bondage;  and  because  our  Savior  saith  it  is 
impossible  but  that  offence  will  come,  but  woe  be  unto  him  by  whom  they 
Commeth,  our  desire  is  not  to  offend  one  of  his  little  ones  in  whatsoever  forme, 
name  or  title  hee  appreares  in,  whether  Presbyterian,  Independent,  Baptist  or 
Qualjer;  but  shall  be  glad  to  see  anything  of  God  in  any  of  them:  desireing  to  doe 
unto  all  men  as  wee  desire  all  men  should  doe  unto  us,  which  is  the  true  law  both 
of  Church  and  State;  for  our  Saviour  saith  this  is  the  Law  and  the  Prophets; 
Therefore  if  any  of  these  said  persons  come  in  loue  unto  us,  wee  cannot  in  Con- 
science lay  violent  hands  upon  them,  but  give  them  free  Egresse  into  our  Towne 
and  howses  as  God  shall  perswade  our  Consciences;  and  in  this  we  are  true  sub- 
jects both  of  the  Church  and  State;  for  wee  are  bounde  by  the  law  of  God  and 
man  to  do  good  unto  all  men,  and  evill  to  no  man;  and  this  is  according  to  the 
Pattent  and  Charter  of  our  Towne  given  unto  us  in  the  name  of  the  States  Gen- 
erall which  we  are  not  willing  to  infringe  and  violate  but  shall  hold  to  our  pattent 
and  shall  remaine  your  Humble  Subjects  the  inhabitants  of  Vlishing;  written  the 
27th  of  December  in  the  Yeare  1657  by  mee 


The  Marke 


The  Marke 


The  Marke 
The  Marke 


The  Marke 
The  Marke 


M 
P 


First  of  January,  1658. 


Edward  Heart,  Clericus. 

Tobias  Feake, 
of  William  Noble, 

William  Thorne,  Sr. 
of  William  Thorne,  Jr. 

Edward  Tarne? 

John  Storer, 

Nathaniel  Hefferd, 

Benjamin  Hubbard, 
of  William  Prdgion, 
of  George  Clere, 

Ellas  Doughtie, 

Antonie  Feild, 

Richard  Stocton, 

Edward  GriflEine, 

Nathaniel  Tue, 

Nicolas  Blackford, 
of  Micah  Tue, 
of  Philipp  Ud, 

Edward  Ffarington, 

Robert  Ffield,  Sr. 

Robert  Ffield,  Jr. 

Nick  Colas  Parseli, 

Michael  Milner, 

Henry  Townsend, 

George  Wright, 

John  Foard, 

Henry  Samtell, 

Edward  Heart, 

John  Mastine, 

John  Townesend. 


1658 


1658 


414  Ecclesiastical  Records 

The  foregoing  remonstrance  delivered  to  his  Honor,  the  Director  General,  by  the 
Schout,  Tobias  Fealvc  of  Vlissingen,  on  the  29th  of  December,  having  read,  his> 
Honor  immediately  ordered  the  Fiscal  to  arrest  the  said  Schout,  which  was  done. 

On  the  first  of  January  1658,  summoned  by  their  Honors,  the  Director  General 
and  Council,  appeared  Edward  Parrington  and  William  Noble,  two  of  the  Magis- 
trates of  Vlissingen,  who  likewise  signed  the  foregoing  remonstrance  and  were 
immediately  arrested.  It  was  further  resolved,  to  summon  also  the  Clerk  of  the 
said  village  Edward  Hart.     Date  as  above. 

Thursday,  the  3rd  of  January  1658.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  402,  403,  404.—  We 
omit  the  Cross-Examination,  pp.  404-409. 

Court  Minutes  of  ISTew  Amsterdam. 

1658,  January  21. 
Proclamation  of  a  Day  of  Prayer  for  March  13. 

The  Honorable  Nicasius  de  Sille  brought  into  Court  the  Proclamation  of  the  day 
of  Prayer,  and  it  is  read  from  the  City  Hall  after  the  usual  ringing  of  the  bell;  in 
terms  as  follows: — 

Honorable  and  well  beloved. 

Notwithstanding  the  good  and  all  merciful  God  has  favoured  and  blessed  this 
newly  rising  Province  in  general  and  its  inhabitants  in  particular  with  many  and 
innumerable  mercies  and  benefits;  amongst  others  with  health,  peace  and  pros- 
perity, abundance,  remarkable  increase  of  population  and  trade,  and  what  is  to  be 
valued  above  all,  with  the  free  and  public  exercise  of  the  pure  worship  of  God;, 
Yet,  we,  either  enjoying  the  same  thanklessly,  or  abusing  them  unworthily,  have 
by  the  ungrateful  use  of  bodily,  or  the  unworthy  abuse  of  spiritual  benefits,  pro- 
voked God's  rigorous  justice,  exciting  his  Divine  Majesty  —  never  sufficiently 
honored  —  to  righteous  anger,  of  which  he  hath  shewn  us  not  only  palpable  signs, 
but  has  caused  us  also  to  witness  evident  proofs;  He  hath  visited  near  and  remote 
places,  towns  and  hamlets  with  hot  fevers  and  dangerous  diseases,  as  a  chastise- 
ment if  not  punishment  of  the  thankless  use  of  temporal  blessings;  permitting  and 
allowing  the  Spirit  of  Error  to  scatter  its  injurious  passion  amongst  us,  in  spiritual 
matters  here  and  there,  rising  up  and  propagating  a  new  unheard  of,  abominable 
Heresy,  called  Quakers;  seeking  to  seduce  many,*  yea,  were  it  possible,  even  the 
true  believers  —  all  signs  of  God's  just  judgement  and  certain  forerunners  of  severe 
punishment. 

To  ward  these  off  from  us  and  our's  and  to  obtain  God's  favours,  benefits  and 
blessings  for  us  as  well  in  temporal  as  in  spiritual  matters,  the  Director  General 
and  Council  of  New  Netherland,  have  deemed  it  good  and  needful  to  prescribe  and 
publish  a  Day  of  General  Fast  and  Thanksgiving  to  be  observed  on  the  second 
Wednesday  of  the  month  of  March,  being  the  13th  of  said  month.  » 

We  therefore  charge  our  subjects  to  repair  on  the  fore  and  afternoon  of  the 
aforesaid  day  to  Church  or  where  God's  Word  is  usually  preached  in  order,  after 
hearing  the  same,  to  praise  and  thank  the  all  good  and  merciful  God,  for  the 
favors,  blessings  and  benefits,  which  his  Divine  Majesty  hath  been  pleased  to  confer 
on  us  during  the  last  year,  yea,  in  the  whole  course  of  our  lives,  and  further  to 
supplicate,  pray  and  implore  His  Holy  Name,  with  humble  and  contrite  hearts,  that 
his  Divine  Majesty  would  be  pleased  to  continue  the  same  to  us,  the  ensuing  year, 
to  the  Honour  of  His  Name,  to  the  furtherance  and  propagation  of  the  Gospel,  and 
the  prosperity  and  salvation  of  us  all. 

That  this  may  be  performed  with  great  devotion  and  unity,  the  Director  General 
and  Council  prohibit,  during  divine  service  on  the  said  day  of  Prayer  and  Thanks- 
giving, all  exercises  and  amusements,  tennis,  ballplaying,  hunting,  fishing,  sailing; 
also  all  unlawful  plays  such  as  gaming,   dice  playing,   drunkenness  and  such  like, 
on   pain   of  arbitrary   punishment   and   correction   previously    enacted    against   the 


OF  THE  State  of  Is^ew  York.  415 

same.  We  also  admonisti  and  require  all  Ministers  within  our  jurisdiction  to  frame 
their  prayers  and  sermons  to  the  said  end.  Thus  done  in  our  Assembly  holden  in 
Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland  the  21st  January  Anno  1658. 

Was  undersigned,  P.  Stuyvesant. 

Lower  Stood,  By  Order  of  the  Honorable  Director 

General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. 

C.  V.  Ruyven,  Secretary. 
—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  ii.  pp.  346,  347. 

Sentence  of  Tobias  Peaks,  Schout  of  Flushing,  for  Harbor- 
ing Quakers. 

Whereas  Tobias  Feaks,  a  resident  of  Vlissingen  on  Long  Island  now  a  prisoner, 
has  confessed  and  acknowledged,  that  he  received  an  order  from  the  Honorable 
Director  General,  not  to  admit,  lodge  and  entertain  in  the  said  village  any  one  of 
the  heretical  and  abominable  sect  called  Quakers,  but  has  nevertheless  had  the 
audacity,  in  contempt  of  the  said  order  and  formerly  published  and  renewed 
placats,  to  be  a  leader  and  instigator  in  the  conception  of  a  seditious,  mutinous  and 
detestable  letter  of  defiance  (chartebel)  signed  by  himself  and  his  complices  and  by 
him  retained  and  then  delivered  to  the  Director  General,  wherein  they  justify  and 
uphold  the  abomniable  sect  of  Quakers,  who  vilify  both  the  political  authorities  and 
the  Ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and  undermine  the  State  and  God's  service,  and  abso- 
lutely demand,  that  all  sects,  especially  the  said  abominable  and  heretical  sect  of 
Quakers  shall  and  must  be  tolerated  and  admitted;  all  of  which  is  directly  contrary 
and  repugnant  to  the  above  referred  to  orders  and  placats  of  the  Director  General 
and  Council,  which  he  pursuant  to  his  oath,  official  position  and  duty,  as  a  sub- 
ordinate officer  of  the  Director  General  and  Scout  in  the  said  village  of  Vlissingen, 
should  by  all  means  have  upheld  and  enforced. 

But  whereas  he  has  herein  not  only  failed,  but  has  himself  transgressed  and  dis- 
obeyed, for  which  as  an  example  to  others  he  deserves  severe  punishment;  yet  con- 
sidering the  humble  petition  of  the  prisoner  Feaks,  confessing  his  wrong  doing  and 
promising  hereafter  to  avoid  such  errors: 

Therefore  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland,  administering  the 
law  in  the  name  of  their  High:  Might:  the  Lords  States  General  of  the  United 
Netherlands,  and  the  Lords  Directors  of  the  Privileged  West  India  Company,  first 
dismiss  the  said  Tobias  Feaks  from  his  office  as  Scout  of  the  said  village  of  Vlis- 
singen, and  banish  him  from  this  Province  of  New  Netherland;  or  to  pay  a  fine  of 
two  hundred  florins  to  be  applied  as  directed  by  law,  if  he  will  keep  his  promise, 
together  with  the  costs  and  mises  of  law. 

Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland  the  28th  of  January  1658. 

P.   Stuyvesant. 
Pieter  Tonneman. 
—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  409. 

Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Midwout,  (Flatbush,  L.  I.) 
AS  to  the  Disposition  to  be  Made  of  the  Churchland  and 
Order  of  Council  Thereon. 

To  their  Noble  Very  Worshipful  Honors,  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  the  High  Council 
of  New  Netherland.  Show  with  due  humility  and  reverence  the  Schepens  of  the 
Court  of  Midwout,  that  heretofore  they  have  several  times  requested  and  shown, 
how  necessary  and  useful  in  easing  the  burdens  of  the  village  and  the  congregation 
the  four  Church  lots  would  be,  if  granted  to  the  village  of  Midwout;  whereupon  at 
last  your  Honors  directed,  that  a  further  report  in  writing  and  a  statement  of  the 
manner,  in  which  the  said  Church  lots  were  to  be  administered,  was  required. 


1658 


1658 


416  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

We  submit  therefore  to  your  Honors  as  our  report  and  further  explanation:  we 
believe,  under  correction,  that  the  best  measures  for  the  advantage  of  the  con- 
gregation and  the  village  of  Mldwout  are  as  stated  here  below: 

First.  That  twenty  five  morgens  with  their  appurtenances  lying  on  the  east  side 
of  the  plain  and  south  side  of  the  road  be  used  for  the  repairs  and  maintenance  of 
the  Church. 

Second.  That  another  lot  of  twenty  five  morgens  lying  also  on  the  east  side  of 
the  market  place  and  north  side  of  the  road  with  their  appurtenances  and  privileges 
be  used  for  the  support  of  a  school,  divine  service  etc.  If  your  Honors  approve  and 
consent,  the  necessary  means  thereto  shall  be  found. 

Third.  The  remaining  fifty  morgens  lying  on  the  west  side  should  necessarily  be 
added  to  the  parsonage,  but  we  cannot  well  decide,  which  is  the  most  requisite  and 
best  use  for  them.  The  further  explanation  of  this  point,  quite  lengthy,  is  sub- 
stantially a  request  to  be  excused  from  contributing  to  the  support  of  their  Minister, 
until  the  tithes  for  their  village  became  due;  I  have  abbreviated  it  here,  because 
the  deputies  from  Midwout  took  the  petition  and  answer  directly  away  and  I  had 
therefore  no  time  to  copy  it  entirely.  It  was  signed  Jan  Strycker,  Adriaen  Hege- 
man,  Willem  Jacobse  van  Boerum  and  below  stood  By  order  of  the  Schepens  of  the 
Court  of  Midwout,  Pieter  Tonneman,  Secretary. 

Having  received  and  read  the  foregoing  petition  the  following  answer  was  given: 

We  consent  to  the  first  two  points  regarding  the  lots  and  allow,  that  they  be  used 
for  the  purposes  and  no  other,  which  the  petitioners  propose  and  submit. 

The  Director  General  and  Council  agree,  that  the  remaining  two  lots  or  fifty 
morgens  be  used  for  the  parsonage,  to  support  as  far  as  they  will  go,  the  present 
and  future  Ministers. 

The  Director  General  and  Council  are  of  opinion,  that  the  deficiency  must  ba 
made  up  by  the  inhabitants  according  to  their  former  promises  and  subscriptions 
and  continue  so,  until  the  tithes  are  due,  when  further  orders  concerning  the  sup- 
port of  the  Minister  shall  be  given. 

Thus  done  in  Council  held  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland  the  29th  of 

January  1658. 

P.   Stuyvesant. 

Nicasius  de  Sille,  P.  Tonneman. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  410. 


Order  on  a  Petition  of  Domine  Polhemius,  Minister  at  Mid- 
wout, Long  Island,  Concerning  His  Salary. 

January  29,  1658. 

Received  and  read  the  remonstrance  and  request  of  Domine  Johannes  Theodorus 
Polheym,  preacher  at  Midwout,  etc.,  on  Long  Island,  who  shows,  that  from  the 
month  of  October  1654  to  the  7th  of  April  1656,  the  date  of  his  agreement  with 
the  inhabitants  of  the  villages  of  Breuckelen,  Midwout  and  Amesfoort,  he  has  had 
charge  as  pastor  of  the  congregation  and  performed  the  duties  connected  with  it  as 
well  as  he  could,  without  however  receiving  from  the  inhabitants  of  said  villages 
any  remuneration  for  it.  Having  arrived  here  from  the  Islands  poor  and  without 
means  he  has  been  compelled  to  draw,  with  the  knowledge  of  Director  General  and 
Council,  from  the  Company's  warehouse  and  office  the  necessaries  of  life,  amount- 
ing now  to  nine  hundred  and  forty  two  fiorins.  He  requests  therefore,  that  this 
sum  might  be  balanced  against  his  services  performed  during  the  time,  as  above 
stated,  when  he  received  no  salary,  so  that  his  wife  and  children  might  not  bej 
troubled  or  asked  to  pay  it  at  some  future  time. 

Having  taken  this  into  consideration  and  being  well  aware,  that  the  laborer  Is 
worthy  of  his  hire,  that  the  petitioner  served  as  pastor  in  the  said  villages  from 
the  year  1654  to  the  7th  of  April    1656,   without  receiving  any  pay  from  the  in- 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  417 

habitants.     The   aforesaid   amount   of   fl   942.6. —  is   placed   to   his   credit   and   the 
TDOok-ljeeper  is  directed  to  discharge  this  account  for  so  much  and  to  balance  the 
amount  against  the  service,  performed  by  the  petitioner. 
Date  as  above.  P.  Stuyvesant. 

—  Col.    Docs.   N.    Y.   xiv.   411,   412. 

/ 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Acts  of  the  Deputies.     Meeting  of  Feb.  llth,  1658.     Kev.  Mr. 

Carpentier  in  the  Chair. 

A  certain  letter  from  the  Eev.  Mr.  Schaats,  pastor  at  Fort  Or- 
ange, in  !N^ew  Netherlands  was  read.  His  Rev.  therein  gives  notice 
that  the  time  of  his  service  has  expired.  He  complains  of  the 
limited  salary,  but  is  well  inclined  to  continue  in  his  charge,  pro- 
vided the  salary  can  be  somewhat  increased.  Resolved,  That  the 
Patroons  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  be  consulted  in  ref- 
erence to  this  whole  matter.  This  was  done.  The  brethren  found 
affairs  in  such  a  condition,  that  nothing  of  consequence  could  at 
present  be  done  for  us  in  this  case.     xx.  383. 

Admii^istrative  Minutes  of  IiTew  Amsterdam. 

1658,  Feb.  26. 

Election  of  Churchmaster  and  Orphan-master. 

Extract  from  the  Register  of  the  Resolutions  of  the  Honorable 
Director  General  and  Councillors  of  Isew  ISTetherland  adopted  in 
their  Honorable  Court  Tuesday,  26th  February  Anno  1658. 

Whereas  one  Orphan  Master  and  one  Church  Master  have 
served  out  their  time,  and  Burgomasters  of  this  City  have  there- 
fore nominated  and  proposed  a  double  number  of  persons,  with 
request  that  Director  General  and  Council  should  therefrom  se- 
lect others  in  place  of  the  retiring:  The  Director  General  and 
Council  of  'New  ISTetherland  do  therefore  elect  and  confirm  from 
the  nominated,  instead  of  the  retiring 

As  Orphan  Master : 

Wilhelmus  Beeckman. 

As  Church  Master : 

Hendrick  Jansen  vander  Yin. 

27 


1658 


1658 


418  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

Thus  done  at  llie  Assembly  of  tlie  Honorable  Director  General 
and  Council  aforesaid  in  Fort  Amsterdam  in  Xew  jSTetlierland, 
Ady,  as  above. 

Agrees  mtli  the  aforesaid  Resolntion. 

C.  Van  Rujven,  Secretary. 

Thursday,  2Sth  February  1G58.  In  the  City  Hall.  Present 
the  Heeren  Paulus  Leendertsen  van  der  Grift,  Olof  Stevensen 
Cortlant. 

Whereas  to  the  Couii^  is  exhibited  the  election  made  by  Direc- 
tor  General  and  Council  of  the  succeeding  Orphan  Master  and 
Churchmaster  in  place  of  the  retiring:  The  elected  Wilhelmus 
Beeckman  as  Orphan  Master  and  Hendrick  Jansen  yan  der  Yin  as 
Churchmaster  are  sent  for  to  Court,  who  appearing  are  informed 
thereof  and  are  accepted  by  the  Burgomasters  and  wished  luck  in 
their  office. 

Records  of  Xew  Amsterdam.     Vol.  vii.  p.  175. 

COTTET  MiXUTES  OF  jST EW  AMSTERDAM. 

Jacob  van  Corlaer  not  Allowed  to  Teach  School. 

To  the  Right  Honorable  Director  General  and  Councillors  of  New  Netherland. 
Right  Honorable  Sirs, 

The  Burgomasters  and  Schepons  of  the  City  of  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland 
represent  with  all  respect,  that  some  Burghers  and  inhabitants  of  the  abovenamed 
City  hare  presented  a  certain  petition  to  this  Court  whereunto  copy  is  hereunto 
annexed,  remonstrating  that  your  Honors  were  pleased  to  notify  Jacob  Corlaar, 
through  the  Fiscal  Nicasius  de  Sille,  not  to  keep  any  school;  and  as  they  the 
petitioners  find  themselves  greatly  interested  thereby,  inasmuch  as  their  children 
forget,  what  the  abovenamed  Jacob  van  Corlaar  had  to  their  great  satisfaction 
previously  taught  them  in  reading,  writing  and  cyphering,  which  was  much  more 
than  any  other  person,  no  one  excepted;  therefore  they  request  that  the  above 
named  Corlaar  may  be  allowed  again  to  keep  school;  and  although  the  abovenamed 
Burgomasters  and  two  Schepens  have  spoken  verbally  thereon  to  your  Honors  and 
your  Honors  were  not  pleased  to  allow  it,  for  reasons  thereunto  moving  your 
Honors;  they  therefore,  in  consequence  of  the  humble  supplication  of  the  Burghers 
and  inhabitants  aforesaid,  again  request  that  your  Honors  may  be  pleased  to  per- 
mit the  abovenamed  Corlaar  again  to  keep  school,  which  doing,  we  remain  your 
Honors  Subjects, 

The  Burgomasters  and  Schepens. 

In  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland  the  5th  March,  1658. 

By  order  of  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  City  aforesaid. 

Joannes  Nevius,   Secretary. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  Yoek.  419 

On  the  20th  March  received  the  apostille  of  the  petition  which  read  as  follows: — 
School  teaching  and  the  induction  of  School  Masters  depends  absolutely  from  the 
Jus  I'atronatus,  by  virtue  of  which  the  Director  General  and  Council  for  pregnant 
reasons  interdicted  Jacob  van  Corlaar,  he  having  presumed  to  take  such  on  himself 
without  their  Order.  To  which  order  and  resolution  they  still  adhere.  Done 
Fortress  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland  the  10th  March,  1658. 
By  order  of  the  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. 

C.  V.  Ruyven,  Secretary. 
—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  ii.  p.  348. 

Council  Minute Schoolmaster  ; 

Tuesday,  March  19,  1658. 


Received  the  petition  of  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  this  City  requesting 
that  Jacobus  van  Corlear,  to  whom  on  the  19th  of  February  last  the  Director 
General  and  Council  forbade  to  keep  school,  may  receive  permission  to  keep  school. 

It  was  decreed:  To  keep  a  school  and  appoint  a  schoolmaster  depends  absolutely 
from  the  jus  patronatus,  in  virtue  whereof  the  Director  General  and  Council  have 
for  good  reasons  forbidden  it  to  Jacobus  van  Corlear,  who  arrogated  the  same  to 
himself  without  their  order;  and  they  persist  in  their  resolution  and  interdict. 
Date  as  above. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  412. 

Council  Minute.  The  School  of  Jacobus  van  Corlear 


Tuesday  March  26,  1658. 

Received  the  petition  of  Jacobus  van  Corlear,  asking  permission  to  keep  a  school 
In  this  City  for  the  instruction  of  children  in  reading,  writing,  etc. 

For  weighty  reasons  the  Director  General  and  Council  decree:  Nihil.  Done  at 
Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  date  as  above. 


Received  and  read  the  remonstrance  of  Peter  Tonneman  as  Schout  of  the  village 
of  Breuckelen,  who  complains  of  having  received  bad  treatment,  when  demanding 
the  long  due  salary  of  Domine  Polhemius  from  Lodewyck  — ,  Jan  Martyn,  Nicolaes 
the  Frenchman,  Abraham  the  mulatto  and  Gerrit  the  wheelwright.. 

The  following  order  was  thereupon  sent  out: 

By  order  of  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland,  Lodewyck  — , 
Jan  Martyn,  Nicolaes  the  Frenchman,  Abraham  the  Mulatto  and  Gerrit  the  wheel- 
wright are  hereby  cited  and  summoned  to  appear  at  Fort  Amsterdam  on  the  2nd 
of  April  next  and  to  hear  the  complaint  and  demand  for  punishment,  which  the 
Fiscal  shall  ex  officio  bring  forward  against  him.  Date  as  above. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
xiv.  413,  414. 


Director  Aldrichs  to  P.  Stuyvesant. 

March  30,  1658. 


The  prescribed  day  of  fasting,  prayer  and  thanksgiving  has  been  observed  here 
on  the  13th  of  March,  also  on  the  following  day  with  a  sermon,  to  celebrate  it,  by 
the  preacher  Melius,  (Welius),  who,  for  that  purpose  was  fetched  to  Altena  by  the 
Commissary:  which  was  done. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  208. 


1658 


1658 


420  Ecclesiastical  Eecokds 


Oath  Takex  by  the  Swedish  Xation,  ox  the  South  Rivee. 

April,  1658. 

We  promise  and  swear  in  ttie  presence  of  Almighty  God,  that  we  will  be  and 
remain  loyal  and  faithful  to  their  Noble  High  Mightinesses,  the  Lords  States  Gen- 
eral of  the  United  Netherlands,  the  Noble  Lord  Directors  of  the  General  Privileged 
West  India  Company,  also  to  their  Honorable  Director  General,  already  appointed 
or  in  the  future  to  be  appointed;  that  we  will  obey  and  respect  and  honor  them,  as 
It  becomes  honest  and  good  subjects,  as  long  as  we  continue  in  this  province  of 
New  Netherland. 

So  truly  help  us  God  Almighty. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  212. 


Sentence  of  the  Persons,  Who  Refused  to  Contribute  to 
THE  Salary  of  Domine  Polhemius. 

April  2,  1658. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  Director  General  and  Council,  dated  the  26th  of 
March,  Jan  Martyn,  Nicolaes  the  Frenchman,  Abraham  Jansen,  called  the  Mulatto, 
appeared  before  the  Council,  being  the  persons,  who  on  several  occasions,  about 
seven  or  eight  times,  have  been  called  upon  by  the  Schout  of  the  village  of 
Breuckelen,  Peter  Tonneman,  and  in  his  behalf  by  the  Court  messenger  Simon< 
Joosten,  and  have  each  been  asked,  to  contribute  six  guilders  for  the  support  of 
Domine  Polhemius,  the  preacher  on  Long  Island,  according  to  the  levy,  ordered  by 
the  Court  of  Breuckelen  and  approved  by  the  Director  General  and  Council;  they 
have  behaved  very  insolently  and  stubbornly,  making  none  but  frivolous  excuses, 
one  for  instance,  that  he  was  a  Catholic,  the  other,  that  he  did  not  understand 
Dutch,  etc.  Therefore  the  Fiscal  demanded,  that  the  aforesaid  persons  should  be 
condemned  to  pay  a  considerable  fine. 

The  Director  General  and  Council,  after  mature  consideration  of  the  merits  of  the 
case,  and  after  having  heard  the  answer  of  the  accused,  found  them  guilty  and 
sentenced  them,  as  a  warning  example  to  others,  to  pay  instead  of  six  guilders 
twelve  into  the  hands  of  the  said  Schout  Tonneman,  before  leaving  the  Manhattans. 
Date  as  above. 

Whereas  besides  the  abovenamed  persons  Gerrit  the  wheelwright  and  Lodewyck 
Jongh  were  also  summoned,  but  did  not  appear;  the  Fiscal  is  ordered  to  summon 
them  once  more,  to  appear  at  the  next  session  of  the  Court.  Date  as  above. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  414. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Letters  from  i^ew  Xetlierland;  from  Xew  Amsterdam. 

1658,  April  2iid. 

Rev.  Deputati  relate  further  that  they  have  received  some  let- 
ters from  ]^ew  ISTetherland,  telling  about  the  condition  of  the 
Church  there,  and  the  efforts  of  the  Consistory,  and  of  Director 
Stuyvesant,  against  the  Lutherans  and  Quakers,  who  now  and 
then  immigrate  there  in  great  numbers.  There  are  also  some  re- 
quests that  they  may  be   seconded  in  their  efforts,   especially 


OF  THE  State  of  ^New  York.  421 

against  one  Goetwater,  Lutheran  minister  there ;  that  these  letters 
were  handed  them  by  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company, 
with  the  request  that  they,  too,  might  have  the  perusal  of  them, 
or  a  copy  of  the  same.  It  was  resolved  in  regard  to  the  request 
of  the  Directors,  that  the  Rev.  Deputati  shall  first  inform  them 
of  the  contents  of  the  letters  orally ;  but  if  the  perusal  of  the  let- 
ters be  insisted  on,  to  gi'ant  this  to  the  Directors.  For  the  rest 
the  Revs.  Deputati  shall  comply  as  much  as  possible  mth  the  re^ 
quest  of  the  brethren  there. 

From  ISTew  Amstel. 

There  was  handed  in  also  a  letter  from  New  Amstel,  from  Rev. 
Everhard  Welius,  in  which  he  presents  the  condition  of  the 
church,  and  requests  that  he  may  be  provided,  by  the  Directors 
of  the  Colony,  mth  a  clock  and  hour  glass,  needed  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  their  meetings ;  the  M.M.  Directors  will  be  spoken 
to  about  this,  by  the  Rev.  Deputati.    vi.  94,  95;  xix.  50. 

Lettee  from  Eather  Simon"  Le  Moyne,  S.  J.,  to  Directob 
Stuyvesant,  Transmitting  a  Letter  from  the  Marquis  db 
Daillebout,  Governor  of  Canada. 

The  7th  of  April  165S. 
Very  Illustrious  Sir: 

I  send  you  with  my  love  a  letter  received  in  Quebec,  which  though  written  in 
French  is  sincere  and  friendly.  He  who  signed  his  name  to  it,  a  very  noble  and 
also  learned  man,  Lord  Daillebout,  did  not  wish,  I  think,  to  write  in  Latin,  be- 
cause perhaps  more  among  you  know  French,  than  Latin,  anyway  because  it  treats 
of  a  matter  concerning  the  French  and  those,  who  love  the  French  only. 

Furthermore  he  wrote  it,  who  to-day  acts  as  the  deputy  of  our  absent  Viceroy 
and  who  some  time  was  himself  Viceroy. 

May  it  therefore  bring  happy,  beneficial  and  fortunate  results.  Dear  friends  of 
the  Manhattans,  draw  your  furrows  through  the  sea  to  our  Quebec  and  some  time 
hereafter  our  Canadians  will  unexpectedly  with  God's  guidance  safely  reach  your 
shores.  Although  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  make,  as  I  hoped,  the  voyage  with  you, 
for  I  have  my  forest  boatman  with  me;  yet  at  some  future  day  I  promise  to  be 
your  guest  and  servant. 

Even  though  my  pen  may  have  taken  some  liberties,  overlook  them,  if  you  please. 
Illustrious  Sir,  and  take  this  letter  as  an  assured  testimony  of  my  regard  for  the 
Dutch  and  my  love  for  you,  with  which  I  am 

Illustrious  Sir, 
Your  most  faithful  and  obedient  servant, 
Simon  le  Moyne,  SJ. 


1658 


1658 


422  Ecclesiastical  Records  . 

Quebec,  the  18th  of  Febniary  1658. 
Reverend  Father: 

I  have  communicated  to  all  the  principal  persons  of  this  country  the  intentions  of 
Messieurs  the  Hollanders,  of  which  you  spoke.  Nobody  had  any  doubt,  that  iu  con- 
sideration of  their  being  admitted  as  friends  and  allies  of  the  Crown  in  all  the 
ports  of  France  since  many  years,  we  could  for  any  reason  refuse  their  coming  to 
trade  with  us  and  I  cannot  object  to  it.  I  consent,  that  they  may  come  when  they 
please  under  the  condition,  that  they  submit  to  the  same  customs  as  French  vessels, 
forbidding  trade  with  the  savages  and  the  public  exercise  on  land  of  their  religion, 
which  is  contrary  to  the  Romish.  You  Isnow  the  orders  of  the  King  about  this 
matter.     Wherewith  I  commend  myself  to  your  prayers  and  am 

Reverend  Father 

Your  very  humble  and  affectionate  servant 

Daille  Boust. 
—  Col.    Docs.   N.   Y.   xiv.   415. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1658,  April  15tli. 

Some  letters  from  the  church  in  Xew  i^Tetherland  were  read. 
Their  principal  subject  was  complainings  about  the  annoyances 
of  many  seditious  spirits,  and  especially  about  the  uprising  of  the 
Lutherans;  also  a  request  to  this  Classis  to  further  the  preven- 
tion of  these  (evils)  as  far  as  possible,  with  the  Directors,     xx. 

387. 

Letters  from  Xew  I\  etherland. 

1658,  May  6th. 

An  account  of  the  letters  from  ISTew  Amsterdam,  having  been 
given  to  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  and  the  re- 
quests contained  therein  having  been  considered;  their  Estimables 
expressed  themselves  surprised  at  the  character  of  the  correspond- 
ence of  the  church  there  with  the  Directors.  They  insisted 
strongly  upon  the  perusal  of  the  letters,  which  were  therefore 
handed  over  to  them.  Their  Estimables  showed  themselves  dis- 
posed, in  regard  to  the  Lutherans  in  'Kew  E'etherland,  to  take 
action  against  them,  declaring  that  they  v\'ould  do  their  part;  but 
desired  to  see  the  Rev.  Classis  put  into  opperation  all  possible 
measures,  if  it  knows  of  anything  that  can  be  done  in  the 
premises.  The  Hev.  Deputati  shall  touch  upon  the  aforesaid  com- 
plaint in  their  letters  to  the  said  church,  and  recommend  to  them 
an  active  correspondence  with  the  Directors. 


OF  THE  State  of  jSTew  York.  423 

'New  Amstel. 

The  Assembly  resolved  that  the  Rev.  Deputati  shall  exert 
themselves  against  the  Lutheran  worship  there,  as  well  as  at  ISFew 
Amstolj  in  every  suitable  way  both  with  the  Directors  of  this 
Chamber,  and  with  the  Estimable  Burgomasters  of  Amsterdam; 

* 

also  at  the  proper  time  with  the  Nineteen,  (the  Amsterdam  Cham- 
ber of  West  India  Company.)  vi.  97;  xix.  60. 


1658 


Letter  from  the  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  ;    

Lutherans;  Latin  School;  Ministers. 

The  201  h  of  May  1058. 
Honorable,  Trudent,  Dear,  Faithful. 


That  you  have  sent  back  here  the  Lutheran  preacher  is  not  contrary  to,  but 
rather  in  accordance  with  our  good  intentions,  although  you  might  have  proceeded  less 
vigorously.  The  principal  reason,  whicli  induced  the  Lutherans  there  to  separate 
from  the  Reformed  Church,  was  not  only,  so  people  of  their  persuasion  here  com- 
plain, because  in  the  Sacrament  of  Baptism  some  words  are  used  there,  which  are 
offensive  to  them  and  not  contained  in  the  new  formulary,  particularly  in  the 
second  point  of  the  questions  or  admonitions  to  the  parents  and  witnesses,  to  wit, 
whether  they  acknowledge  the  dogma  taught  in  the  Christian  Church  there  accord- 
ing to  the  Synod  of  Dort,  as  the  true  one  etc.;  but  also,  because  they  were  com- 
pelled to  be  present  at  the  baptizing  of  their  children.  We  do  not  know  how  this 
is,  but  we  are  aware,  that  the  Church  here  does  not  lay  such  great  stress  upon  the 
presence  of  the  parents  and  witnesses;  we  think  also,  that  the  old  formulary  of 
baptism  is  still  used  in  many  churches  here,  as  being  less  offensive  and  more 
moderate,  than  the  new,  and  therefore  adopted  at  the  beginning  of  the  Reformation 
as  necessary  under  the  circumstances,  in  order  thereby  not  to  alienate,  but  rather 
to  attract  people  of  different  belief.  We  shall  leave  it  to  your  prudence  and  trust, 
that  henceforth  you  will  use  the  least  oft'ensive  and  most  tolerant  means,  so  that 
people  of  other  persuasions  may  not  be  deterred  from  the  public  Reformed  Church, 
but  in  time  be  induced  to  listen  and  finally  gained  over  to  it. 

The  two  women  of  bad  reputation,  Magdalena  Dircks  and  Gertie  Jacobs,  whom 
you  sent  back  here  on  account  of  their  dissolute  life,  shall  not  again  receive  our 
permission  to  return  to  New  Netherland,  and  if  they  should  come  here  again  by 
deceitful  practices  or  under  a  false  name,  you  may  punish  them,  as  they  deserve  it. 


Domine  Drisius  has  repeatedly  expressed  to  us  his  opinion,  that  he  thought  it  ad- 
visable, to  establish  there  a  Latin  school  for  the  instruction  and  education  of  the 
young  people,  offering  thereto  his  own  services.  Although  we  have  no  objection  to 
this  project,  we  communicate  it  to  you,  so  that,  if  you  too  consider  it  desirable, 
you  may  take  an  experiment  by  opening  such  a  school  there;  but  you  must  not  fail 
to  inform  us,  how  such  an  institution  can  be  managed  to  the  best  advantage  of  the 
community  and  kept  up  with  the  least  expense  to  the  Company. 

To  encourage  the  said  Domine  Drisius  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  we  have 
Increased  his  board  money  from  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  three  hundred  florins 
yearly  and  granted  him  besides  a  house  rent  free  or  instead  of  it  two  hundred, 
florins  yearly,  the  same  amount,  which  is  allowed  or  paid  to  his  colleague  Domine 
Megapolensis.     This  for  your  information  and  guidance. 


1658 


424  Ecclesiastical  Records 

We  found  among  the  enclosures,  sent  by  you,  an  extract  from  your  resolutions, 
which  informs  us,  that  at  the  request  of  the  congregation  of  Fort  Orange  and 
Beverwyck  you  have  engaged  the  former  pastor  of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck, 
Domine  Gideon  Schaets,  as  their  pastor  at  a  salary  of  one  hundred  florins  monthly; 
we  do  not  disapprove  it,  for  the  greater  part  of  this  salary  must  necessarily  be 
paid  by  the  said  congregation,  as  it  is  proper,  but  we  expect  you  to  report  by  the 
first  opportunity  and  without  delay,  how  this  can  and  ought  to  be  done  in  the  most 
convenient  iTumuer. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  417,  418,  419. 


Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1658,  June  4tli. 

Eev.  J.  T.  Polhemns  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

E  ever  end,  Very  Learned,  Most  Pious  Gentlemen,  the  Ministers  of 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  :— 

Tendering  to  yon  my  fraternal  and  respectful  salutations,  I 
would  express  my  affectionate  regards,  vnih  thankfulness  to  God. 
I  still  c(>ntinue  in  the  discharge  of  my  appropriate  duties,  seek- 
ing to  build  up  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  in  this  place.  "We 
daily  trace  and  observe  \vith  increasing  clearness,  the  blessing  of 
the  Lord,  in  the  increase  of  members,  and  the  prevailing  good 
order.  We  hope  you  have  received  favorable  reports  and  testi- 
monies in  relation  to  us.  This  will  comfort  me  in  my  old  age. 
I  must  also,  through  the  advocacy  of  your  Eev.  body,  secure  the 
provision  from  the  Hon.  Company  for  the  satisfaction  of  my 
salary  yet  remaining  due  for  services  in  Brazil ;  and  for  the  reunion 
and  support  of  myself,  wife  and  children.  My  salary  in  the  new 
church  here,  is  also  so  small  that  it  will  go  a  very  little  way.  I 
cannot  keep  silent  about  it  any  longer.  I  commend  your  Eev. 
body  in  general,  and  each  member  in  particular,  to  the  blessing  of 
Almighty  God. 

Given  at  Midwout  in  INTew  Xetherland,  June  4th,  1658. 

Your  Eeverences  much  obliged  brother, 

J.  T.  Polhemus. 


OF  THE  State  of  I^Tew  York.  426 

EXTEACT    FBOM    A    LeTTER    OF    THE    DIRECTORS    TO    StUYVESANT  : 

Lutherans  and  the  Formulary  of  Baptism. 

June  7,  1658. 

We  expressed  In  our  enclosed  letter  (of  May  20th)  our  opinions  and  intentions 
concerning  the  Lutherans,  to  gain  them  over  by  moderate  measures  to  the  Re- 
formed Church  and  since  closing  this  letter  we  have  come  to  the  conclusion  to 
direct,  that  in  the  churches  not  only  there  the  old  Formulary  of  baptism  be  used, 
but  also  the  words  "  present  here  in  the  Church  "  be  entirely  omitted,  because  we 
believe  that  thereby  these  and  other  dissenters  will  be  satisfied  and  kept  in  the 
Reformed  Church.— Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  421. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  John  Carpentier. 

1658,  June  22nd. 

Rev.  John  de  Carpentier  and  Rev.  Henry  Wallins,  candidates, 
were  accepted  as  recommended  by  the  Classis  after  exhibiting 
laudable  certificates  both  ecclesiastical  and  academical,  and 
preaching  sermons,     vi.  106. 

Synod  of  !N"orth  Holland,  at  Amsterdam. 

1658,  Aug.  12  et  seq. 

Art.  36.     State  of  the  Indian  and  other  foreign  churches: 

Extract  concerning  the  state  of  the  churches  of  India  and  other 
foreign  lands,  read  and  handed  to  the  Synod  by  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam. 


1658 


'New  Netherland. 

Extract  from  the  letters  from  Ne^Y  ITetherland. 

From  a  letter  from  Amsterdam  in  New  [N'etherland,  August  5, 
1657. 

1.  Makes  mention  that  the  bold  presumption  of  the  Lutherans 
to  have  a  minister  there,  has  been  checked. 

2.  That  a  Lutheran  pastor  (Phar-heer)  called  John  Goetwater, 
arrived  there.     He  was  taken  before  the  Heer  General,  and  then 


1658 


426  Ecclesiastical  Records 

summoned  before  the  magistrates,  but  be  could  not  show  his  com- 
mission of  appointment  to  such  ojfice,  except  from  the  Lutheran 
Consistory  of  Amsterdam.  Thereupon  he  was  forbidden  to 
preach  and  ordered  to  regulate  himself  according  to  the  Placards 
of  the  land,  and  to  depart  at  the  first  opportunity. 

3.  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats,  minister  at  Rensselaer\\^ck,  states  that 
the  affairs  of  the  churches  there  prosper,  the  congregation  is 
bravely  increasing  and  that  last  year  they  secured  a  good  meeting- 
house. 

4.  On  Long  Island  where  there  are  three  villages,  Polhemius 
of  Brazil  has  come,  and  has  been  accepted  as  their  minister. 

5.  At  Flushing  in  New  IsTetherland  a  cobbler  had  arrived  from 
New  England.  He  said  that  he  had  been  sent  by  Christ,  and  be- 
gan to  preach;  but  was  banished  from  the  province. 

Extract  from  a  letter  wTitten  August  14,  1657,  in  Amsterdam,  in 

New  Netherland. 

It  is  related  that  on  August  12,  (1656)  a  ship  had  arrived  there 
from  the  sea.  On  coming  near  to  the  fort,  it  fired  no  salute,  flew 
no  flag  except  from  the  fore-mast.  It  was  a  ship  full  of  Quakers. 
The  fiscal  having  boarded  her,  they  paid  him  no  respect;  neither 
did  the  captain  show  any  respect  to  the  Heer-General  on  landing. 
They  had  come  from  London  in  eight  (?)  days,  and  went  on  to 
New  England  the  next  day  —  as  is  supposed  to  Rhode  Island.  On 
sailing  away  they  left  two  quiet  women  on  land,  who  at  once  be- 
gan to  quake.    They  were  arrested  and  mthout  doubt  sent  away. 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  October  22,  1657. 

From  Manhattan. 

1.  It  was  made  known,  that  as  yet,  the  Lutherans  in  New  Neth- 
erland,  were  successfully  opposed  in  their  attempt  to  exercise 
their  religion  openly. 


'  OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  427 

1658 

Synod  of  North  Holland. 

1658. 

2.  It  makes  mention  also  about  some  Quakers  who  were  locked 
up  and  transported  to  Nevv'  England  or  Rhode  Island. 

3.  The  lack  of  English  preachers  is  set  forth;  inasmuch  as  one 
had  died,  and  the  other  had  gone  away. 

4.  Further  all  affairs  are  in  good  condition. 

[The  long  Latin  letter  of  Domine  Megapolensis  to  Father  Le 
Mo;>Tie  June  1658,  and  referred  to  by  Dr.  O'Callaghan  and  by 
Megapolensis,  under  date  of  September  28,  1658,  belongs  here  but 
is  omitted  because  of  its  polemical  character]. 

Council  Minute School. 

I  August  13,  1658,  Tuesday. 


Received  the  petition  of  Jan  Lubberts,  requesting  consent  to  open  a  school  for 
Instruction  in  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic. 

It  was  answered:  j 

The  request  is  granted,  provided  he  behaves  as  such  a  person  ought  to  behave. 
Date  as  above. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  424. 

The  Dikectoe-General  and  Council,  to  the  Ministees  of 

New  Netherland. 

1658,  Aug.  19th. 

Extract  from  the  register  of  resolutions  of  the  Hon.  Director- 
General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland,  adopted  at  their  meet- 
ing, Aug.  19,  1658; 

The  letter  of  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company 
dated  May  20,  1658,  was  taken  into  consideration.  Eesolved, 
That  an  extract  from  said  letter  should  be  made  and  placed  in 
the  hands  of  the  Rev.  ministers  of  this  city,  and  that  we  respect- 
fully request  their  answer  on  the  points  presented  in  the  letter, 
relating  to  the  pretended  Lutheran  minister,  and  the  other  Lu- 
therans here.  They  are  requested  to  give  their  answers  in  writing, 
and  adduce  whatever  may  tend  to  furnish  a  full  and  correct  view 
of  the  case. 

Done  at  Eort  Amsterdam,  in  New  Netherland,  Monday  Aug. 
1^-  C.  Van  Ruvven,  Secretary. 


1658 


428  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

Answer  to  the  Objections  of  the  West  India  Company,  Con- 
cerning THE  Form  of  Baptism. 

1658,  Aug.  23rd. 

Revs.  J.  Megapolensis  and  S.  Drisius  to  the  Director-General  and 

Council  of  'New  l!^etherland. 

To  the  Hon.  Director-General  and  Council  of  New  ISTetherland :  — 

By  the  favor  of  your  Hon.  Body,  an  extract  from  a  letter  from 
the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  has  been  placed  in  our 
hands.  From  this  we  learn  that  the  Lutherans  have  entered  a 
complaint,  and  have  stated  to  the  Hon.  Directors,  that  they  had 
separated  from  our  church,  because  in  the  administration  of  bap- 
tism, certain  words  were  used  which  were  objectionable  to  them, 
and  the  parents  are  compelled  to  be  present  when  their  children 
are  presented  for  baptism.  We  wish  that  the  Lutherans  in  their 
complaint  had  simply  stated  the  truth,  and  had  not  encompassed 
us  with  untruth,  in  their  communication. to  the  Hon.  Directors. 
We  therefore  assert  that  as  your  Honors  have  been  accustomed  to 
attend  our  preaching  and  the  administration  of  the  sacraments, 
and  having  been  eye  witnesses  of  the  same,  your  Honors  could  jus- 
tify us  from  these  false  charges,  without  any  vindication  by  our- 
selves. Yet  it  may  be  proper  in  obedience  to  your  Honors  order 
to  present  to  you  a  further  elucidation  of  the  matter. 

1.  Their  excuse  that  the  cause  of  their  separation  was  a  cer- 
tain question  about  words  in  the  administration  of  baptism,  which 
words  are  customary  with  us,  but  objectionable  to  them,  is  only 
such  in  appearance.  As  far  as  our  knowledge  goes,  there  never 
has  been  any  agitation,  or  even  appearance  of  such,  among  them, 
in  relation  to  such  a  question.  Indeed  about  two  years  ago  one 
Peter  Jansen  a  stupid  northerner,  who  was  neither  a  Lutheran 
nor  of  the  Reformed  Religion,  and  who  had  not  intelligence  enough 
to  understand  the  difference  between  them,  nibbled  at  these  ques- 
tions, but  could  not  give  any  reasons  against  them,  or  receive  and 


OF  THE  State  of  INew  York.  429 

try  to  "anderstand  a  rea-son  in  their  favor.  ISTevertheless  they  have 
sought,  for  five  or  six  years,  to  call  a  Lutheran  preacher,  as  Panlns 
Schrick  once  said  to  Heyer  Stoffels,  whom  he  took  to  be  a  Lu- 
theran, because  he  sang  German  songs  on  shipboard  on  the  way  to 
Holland.  When  Schrick  returned  from  Holland  in  1655,  he  be- 
came a  chief  promoter  of  this  work.  Separate  meetings  began  to 
be  held,  until  the  year  1656,  when  your  decree  forbidding  them 
was  issued.  We  believe  that,  as  the  Pharisees  were  offended  at  the 
words  of  Christ,  Matt.  15:12,  13,  so  also  has  it  been  in  this  case; 
that  not  only  a  few  words-  in  the  Form  for  the  administration  of 
baptism,  but  also  the  preaching  of  the  divine  Word  itself  was 
objectionable  to  them;  for  blind  men  easily  run  against  any  ob- 
stacle. We  say  blind  men,  for  to  our  knowledge,  there  is  hardly 
one  among  them  here  who  has  any  proper  acquaintance  with  the 
teachings  of  Dr.  Liither.  They  praise  Luther  only  because  they 
call  themselves  by  his  name.  They  are  Lutherans,  and  will  re- 
main such,  because  their  parents  and  ancestors  were  Lutherans, 
as  Paulus  Schrick  their  leader  in  his  wisdom  once  declared. 

2.  It  is  false  that  we,  in  the  Formula  of  Baptism,  ask  the  par- 
ents or  sponsors,  whether  the  doctrines  taught  "  here "  in  this 
church,  according  to  the  Synod  of  Dort,  are  the  true  doctrines. 
For  although  we  hold  the  doctrines  of  the  Synod  of  Dort  to  be 
the  true  ones,  still  we  do  not  use  such  a  Formula,  but  that  which 
is  found  in  the  printed  liturgy,  of  which  you.  Honorable  Gentle- 
men, are  witnesses.  We  know  indeed  the  emphasis  with  which  they 
refer  to  the  word  "  here  ".  But  suppose  this  word  were  omitted, 
we  nevertheless,  by  the  Church  mean,  not  the  Papal  church,  but  the 
true  Protestant  and  Peformed  churches. 

3.  The  Lutherans  have  done  us  wrong  in  their  statement  to  the 
Hon.  Directors,  that  we  strictly  compelled  parents  and  sponsors 
to  be  present  at  the  baptism  of  their  children.  This  is  untrue. 
The  facts  of  the  case  are  as  follows:  We  assert  that  sometimes 
there  are  bastards  presented  for  baptism,  who  have  no  known 
father.     Some  charged  to  be  the  father,  deny  it.     In  such  cases 


1658 


430  Ecclesiastical  Eecokds 

1658 

others  have  been  known  to  interpose,  and  to  present  the  illegitimate 
child.  Subsequently  we  noticed  that  young  persons,  who  could 
hardly  carry  the  child,  and  who  had  scarcely  more  knowledge  of 
religion,  baptism,  and  the  vows,  than  the  child  itself,  brought  and 
presented  other  young  children  for  baptism.  Whereiipon  it  was 
resolved  and  published  from  the  pulpit,  that  no  half  grown  youths 
should  present  other  young  children  for  baptism;  but  that  it 
should  only  be  done  by  those  who  had  arrived  at  years  of  discre- 
tion ;  that  it  was  the  special  duty  of  parents,  if  at  home,  to  present 
their  o^vn  children  for  baptism;  for  none  could  so  well  fulfil  the 
promises  made  in  regard  to  the  children  as  the  parents ;  and  to 
this  they  were  bound  by  the  Word  of  God. 

Yet  it  is  not  unknown  to  us  that  at  the  National  Synod  of  Dort, 
in  1574,  in  Art.  61;  at  the  Synod  of  Middleburg  1581,  Art.  40; 
and  at  the  Synod  of  the  Hague,  1591,  Art.  51 ;  it  was  decreed  that 
parents  themselves  should  present  their  children  for  baptism.  But 
as  we  have  learned  that  these  acts  are  not  very  strictly  enforced 
in  the  Fatherland,  so  we  also  do  not  very  strenuously  insist  on 
them.  Yet  there  are  instances  in  which  neither  of  the  parents  are 
present  at  the  baptism  of  their  child.  Indeed,  it  ha^opened  only 
last  Sabbath,  Aug.  18th,  while  we  were  yet  ignorant  of  the  com- 
plaint of  the  Lutherans  against  us,  that  a  child  was  baptized, 
neither  of  whose  parents  was  present ;  but  only  two  Lutherans, 
who  presented  the  child,  and  stood  god  parents,  viz.,  Laurence 
iN'oorman,  who,  they  say  w^as  the  host  who  concealed  John  Gut- 
wasser,  the  Lutheran  minister  last  winter,  and  Magdalen  Kallier, 
a  Lutheran  woman.  We  have  thus  given  sufficient  proof  that  no 
^,-  undue  strictness  has  been  used  towards  the  Lutherans  in  the  bap- 
tism of  their  children,  but  that  their  own  perverseness  has  led 
them  to  make  false  representations  to  the  Hon.  Directors,  and 
that  they  intend  something  else. 

Johannes  Megapolensis. 
Amsterdam,  in  Samuel  Drisius. 

i^ew  ^N'etherland, 
Aug.  23rd,  1658. 


i 


OF  THE  State  of  IsTew  Yokk.  431 

1658 

(P.  S.)  Respecting  the  advice  and  proposition  of  the  Hon. 
Directors  of  the  Company,  that  we  should  use  the  old  Formula, 
which  is  still  used  in  many  churches  of  Holland,  and  which  is 
more  moderate,  and  less  objectionable  to  those  of  other  denomina- 
tions, and  that  by  this  means  they  might  be  won  and  be  satisfied, 
(we  answer)  :  We  know  that  the  Synod  of  the  Hague,  1591,  in 
Art.  28,  proposes  the  questions  to  parents  and  sponsors  in  this 
form, —  Whether  they  acknowledge  the  doctrine  contained  in  the 
Old  and  'New  Testaments,  and  in  the  Articles  of  Christian  Faith, 
and  taught  in  conformity  thereto,  to  be  the  true  and  perfect  doc- 
trine of  salvation.  We  find  also  that  the  S;>Tiod  of  Middleburg, 
1581,  Art.  21,  leaves  it  optional  either  to  use  or  omit  the  phrase 
in  the  second  question  —  the  doctrine  taught  "  here  ".  We  are 
aware  that  the  apostolic  churches,  in  order  to  remove  difficulties, 
and  help  on  w^eaker  brethren,  frequently,  in  minor  matters,  gave 
freedom.  But  in  reference  to  the  obstinate  and  perverse,  who  came 
to  spy  out  the  liberty  of  believers,  and  to  bring  christians  into 
bondage,  they  would  not  yield  one  iota.  (GaL  2:3,  4.)  We  are 
therefore  inclined,  as  far  as  is  consistent  with  truth  and  a  good 
conscience,  to  be  moderate  in  all  minor  matters,  and  give  indul- 
gence in  what  does  not  affect  truth  and  order,  heartily  wishing 
prosperity  to  the  church  of  Christ  here.  But  as  the  Form  now 
used  has  been  so  long  employed,  the  alteration  or  omission  of  it 
in  behalf  of  the  Lutherans,  may  perhaps  give  offence  to  our  own 
people.  We  therefore  write  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  to  whom 
we  are  subordinate,  and  take  their  advice. 

Johannes  Megapolensis. 
Samuel  Drisius. 

CouET  Minutes  of  ^NTew  Amsterdam. 
Request  for  a  Latin  School. 

1658,   September  19. 

Further,  laying  before  your  Honors  the  great  augementation  of  the  youth  in  this 
Province  and  place,  which  yearly  increases  more  and  more,  and  finds  itself  now 
very  numerous,  and  though  many  of  them  can  read  and  write,  the  Burghers  and 
inhabitants  are  nevertheless  inclined  to  have  their  Children  instructed  in  the  most 
useful   languages,   the  chief  of  which  is  the   Latin  tongue;   and  as  there  are  no 


432  Ecclesiastical  Kecokds 

means  so  to  do  here,  the  nearest  being  at  Boston  in  New  England,  a  great  distance 
from  here,  and  many  of  the  Burghers  and  inhabitants  of  this  place  and  neighbour- 
hood having  neither  the  ability  nor  means  to  send  their  children  thither,  we  shall 
therefore  again  trouble  your  Honors  and  humbly  request  that  your  Honors  would 
be  pleased  to  send  us  a  suitable  person  for  Master  of  a  Latin  School,  in  order  that 
our  children  be  instructed  in,  and  study  such  language,  not  doubting  but  were 
such  person  here,  many  of  the  neighbouring  places  would  send  their  children  hither 
to  be  instructed  in  that  tongue;  hoping  that,  increasing  from  year  to  year,  it 
may  finally  attain  to  an  Academy,  [College]  whereby  this  place  arriving  at  great 
splendour  your  Honors  shall  have  the  reward  and  praise  next  to  God  the  Lord, 
who  will  grant  His  blessing  to  it.  On  your  Honors  sending  us  a  Schoolmaster, 
we  shall  endeavour  to  have  constructed  a  suitable  place  or  school. 

May  God  the  Lord  long  preserve  your  Honors  in  health  and  successful  govern- 
ment, and  we  remain. 

Your  Honors  faithful  subjects. 

The  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  City  of  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland. 
Done  in  our  Court  held  in  the  City  Hall  the  19th  September  1658. —  Early  Records 
of  New  Amsterdam,   Vol.  3.  15,  16.     Another  translation,   or  paraphrase,  in  Dun- 
shee's  School  of  the  Collegiate  Church  (ed.  1883)  p.  33. 


Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Correspondence  from  America. 

1658,  Sept.  24th. 

Eevs.  J.  Megapolensis  and  S.  Drisius  to  tlie  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
(Abstract  of,  in  Acts  of  Deputies,  Jan,  13,  1659.    xx.  391.) 

Eeverend,  Pious  and  Learned  Eatliers  and  Brethren  in  Christ :  — 

Your  letter  of  May  26th  last,  (1658,)  came  safely  to  hand. 
We  observe  your  diligence  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  church 
of  Jesus  Christ  in  this  province,  that  confusion  may  be  prevented, 
and  that  the  delightful  harmony  which  has  hitherto  existed  among 
us  here,  may  continue.  At  the  same  time  we  rejoice  that  the  Hon. 
Directors  have  committed  this  matter  to  you,  and  we  hope  that 
God  will  strengthen  you  in  your  laudable  efforts.  Last  year  we 
placed  before  you  particularly  the  circumstances  of  the  churches 
both  in  the  Dutch  and  English  towns.  And  as  this  subject  has 
been  placed  by  your  Rev.  body  before  the  Hon.  Directors,  we  hope 
that  their  Honors  will  take  into  earnest  consideration  the  sadly 
destitute  circumstances  of  the  English  towns.  These,  by  reason 
of  the  removal  or  death  of  their  preachers,  continually  appeal  with 
increasing  earnestness  for  instant  provision ;  for  we  learn  that  one 
of  the  English  towns,  through  lack  of  a  Presbyterian  minister, 


OF  THE  State  of  !N'ew  York.  433 

1658 

is  already  engaged  in  seeking  an  Independent  from  (Nev^)  Eng- 
land. The  raving  Quakers  have  not  settled  down,  but  continue 
to  disturb  the  people  of  the  province  by  their  wanderings  and 
outcries.  For  although  our  government  has  issued  orders  against 
these  fanatics,  nevertheless  they  do  not  fail  to  pour  forth  their 
venom.  There  is  but  one  place  in  ISTew  England  where  they  are 
tolerated,  and  that  is  Khode  Island,  which  is  the  caeca  latrina  of 
ISTew  England.     Thence  they  swarm  to  and  fro  sowing  their  tares. 

The  matter  of  the  Lutherans  remains  still  in  a  very  smoky 
condition.  Last  year  the  Lutheran  pastor,  (John  Goetwater)  was 
directed  to  return  by  the  ships  to  Holland.  Instead  of  this  he 
went  out  of  the  city  and  concealed  himself  with  a  Lutheran  farmer 
during  the  whole  winter,  where  they  supported  him  at  the  rate  of 
six  guilders  ($2.40)  per  week.  On  the  4th  of  August  last,  when 
we  celebrated  the  Lord's  Supper,  they  made  a  collection  among 
themselves  for  him.  The  Fiscal  was  again  directed  to  arrest  him, 
and  compell  him  to  leave  by  one  of  the  earliest  ships.  In  the 
meantime  the  Lutherans  came  and  represented  to  the  Director- 
General  that  their  preacher  was  sick  at  the  farmer's,  and  besought 
the  privilege  of  bringing  him  within  the  place  for  treatment. 
This  was  granted  them.  The  Fiscal  was  at  the  same  time  empow- 
ered to  watch  over  him,  and  when  well  again,  to  send  him  to  Hol- 
land. Whether,  on  his  recovery,  he  will  return  or  conceal  himself 
again,  time  must  show.  We  fear  it  is  a  stratagem  to  hold  the 
matter  in  suspense,  and  gain  more  time.  We  suspect  this  the 
more,  as  they  have  said  that  they  will  make  us  appear  in  an  un- 
favorable light  before  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Com- 
pany. As  to  the  great  precision  we  employ  in  the  administration 
of  Baptism,  the  accompanying  documents  will  furnish  the  proper 
proofs  to  your  Eev.  body.  (See  those  of  May  28,  Aug.  19  and 
Aug.  23,  1658.) 

It  appears  to  us  that  it  would  be  very  advantageous  to  the  Dutch 
church,  to  send  over  good  Dutch  ministers  who  might  be  tempora- 
rily placed  in  the  smaller  Dutch  towns,  and  afterward  on  the  death 

28 


3858 


434  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

or  disability  of  other  Dutch  ministers,  to  be  transferred  to  the 
more  populous  towns.  And  such  transfers  would  very  soon  be 
required,  as  Domine  Schaats  is  a  man  in  feeble  health;  Domine 
Polhemius  is  already  sixty  years  old,  and  both  of  us  have  entered 
in  our  fifty  seventh  year.  There  is  much  need  of  two  more  learned 
and  godly  ministers  in  this  province,  as  the  Jesuits  in  Canada 
or  ^ova  Francia  are  seeking  to  force  an  entrance  among  us,  and 
introduce  their  idolatries  and  superstitions.  For  when  the  French 
made  peace  with  our  Indians,  the  Mohawks,  several  Jesuits  went 
among  them,  and  have  since  continued  there.  One  of  them  named 
Simon  Le  Moyne  has  been  several  times  at  Fort  Orange,  and  last 
fall  came  here  to  Manhattan,  doubtless  to  encourage  the  papists, 
both  Dutch  and  French,  residing  here,  and  to  observe  the  condi- 
tion of  our  affairs.  He  remained  here  eight  days,  and  then  re- 
turned to  Fort  Orange,  and  thence  by  land  to  Canada. 

We  commend  your  Eeverences  to  the  protection  of  the  Most 
High,  who  is  able  to  keep  you,  and  do  abundantly  above  what  we 
can  ask  or  think,  and  place  you  blameless  before  His  throne. 
With  salutations  to  the  Rev.  Classis, 

Yours  affectionately, 

Joannes  Megapolensis. 

Samuel  Drisius. 
jSTew  Amsterdam, 

in  l!^ew  ^NTetherland, 

Sept.  24th,  1658. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1658,  Sept.  25th. 
Rev.  J.  Megapolensis  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Reverend,  Pious  and  Learned  Brethren  in  Christ:  — 

I  have  a  son  named  Samuel,  now  entering  on  his  twenty  fifth 
year.     I  instructed  him  myself  for  several  years  in  the  Latin  and 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  Yoek.  435 

Greek  languages.  I  then  sent  him  to  the  Academy  of  Cambridge 
in  ]^ew  England,  where  I  allowed  him  to  pursue  his  studies  for 
three  years  at  my  own  expense.  When  he  returned  home,  he  was 
desirous  of  visiting  one  of  the  universities  of  the  Fatherland,  and 
of  continuing  his  studies  therein.  He  accordingly  w^ent  over  to 
Utrecht,  and  having  letters  to  Domine  Voetius,  he  entered  the 
university  there.  Although  he  is  now  separated  from  me  many 
hundred  miles,  and  I  remain  ignorant  of  his  progress  in  his 
studies,  or  of  his  deportment  in  life,  nevertheless  as  he  conducted 
himself  diligently,  studiously  and  virtuously  during  his  three 
years  residence  in  New  England,  according  to  ample  testimonials 
given  him,  I  trust  that  as  he  groAVS  older,  he  will  not  exhibit  less 
industry  in  study,  or  less  excellency  of  conduct  in  the  University 
of  Utrecht;  and  since  he  is  so  faithfully  attending  to  his  studies 
during  the  year  now  passing,  that  he  will  soon  be  prepared  for  an 
entrance  on  the  Gospel  ministry. 

At  the  same  time,  owing  to  the  condition  of  the  churches  here 
it  is  necessary  that  there  should  be  sent  out  some  English  as  well 
as  Dutch  preachers,  it  is  my  fraternal  and  submissive  request, 
that  when  this  subject  com.es  before  the  Hon.  Directors,  and  the 
Eev.  Classis,  that  my  son  Samuel  may  be  taken  into  consideration. 
And  if  he  be  deemed  qualified  for  the  ofiice  of  the  ministry, 
whether  in  Dutch  or  English  towns,  as  he  understands  and  speaks 
the  English  well,  that  he  may  be  sent  over  in  that  capacity.  As 
he  is  my  youngest  son,  and  I  have  been  at  much  expense  for  him, 
having  kept  him  for  three  years  in  'New  England,  and  now  he  is 
in  the  third  at  Utrecht,  supporting  him  solely  at  my  own  expense, 
I  cherish  a  strong  desire  to  see  him  again  among  us  before  I  die ; 
as  I  expect  that  ISTew  ISTetherland,  where  I  have  now  passed  seven- 
teen years  of  my  ministry,  will  be  the  place  of  my  burial.  It 
will  be  a  great  joy  to  me  to  have  my  son  return,  qualified  by  God 
in  doctrine  and  life,  to  build  up  the  church  in  this  land.  I  com- 
Jiiit  these  matters  to  God's  providence  and  your  kindness.     May 


1658 


436  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1658 

our  God  bless  and  strengthen  you  and  myself  in  our  ministries, 

to  the  glory  of  his  name,  the  edification  of  his  church,  and  the 

salvation  of  our  souls. 

Yours  affectionately, 

Joannes  Megapolensis. 
ISTew  Amsterdam, 

in  New  IsTetherland, 

Sept.  25,  1658. 

(Part  of  this  letter  is  found  in  Spr ague's  Annals,  Vol.  viii, 

p.  3.) 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1658,  Sept.  28th. 
Revs.  J.  Megapolensis  and  S.  Drisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Edi.  Patres  et  Fratres  in  Christo : — 

In  a  preceding  letter  of  Sept.  24,  1658,  mention  was  made  of  a 
Jesuit  who  came  to  this  place,  Manhattans,  overland,  from  Can- 
ada. I  shall  now  explain  the  matter  more  fully,  for  your  better 
understanding  of  it.  It  happened  in  the  year  1642,  when  I  was 
minister  in  the  colony  of  Pensselaerswyck,  that  our  Indians  in 
the  neighborhood,  who  are  generally  called  Maquaas,  (Mohawks,) 
but  who  call  themselves  Kajingehaga,  were  at  war  with  the  Cana- 
dian or  French  Indians,  who  are  called  bv  our  Indians  Advran- 
thaka.  Among  the  prisoners  whom  our  Indians  had  taken  from 
the  French,  was  this  Jesuit,  (Jogues,)  whom  they,  according  to 
.  their  custom  had  handled  severely.  When  he  was  brought  to  us, 
his  left  thumb  and  severaf  fingers  on  both  hands  had  been  cut  off, 
either  wholly  or  in  part,  and  the  nails  of  the  remaining  fingers 
had  been  chewed  off.  As  this  Jesuit  had  been  held  in  captivity  by 
them  for  some  time,  they  consented  that  he  should  go  among  the 
Dutch,  but  only  when  accompanied  by  some  of  them.  At  last  the 
Indians  resolved  to  burn  him.  Concerning  this  he  came  to  me 
with  grievous  complaint.  We  advised  him  that  next  time  the  In- 
dians were  asleep,  he  should  run  away  and  come  to  us,  and  we 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  437 

would  protect  and  secure  him,  and  send  him  by  ship  to  France. 
This  was  done.  After  concealing  him  and  entertaining  him  for 
six  weeks,  we  sent  him  to  the  Manhattans,  and  thence  to  England 
and  France,  as  he  was  a  Frenchman,  born  at  Paris. 

Afterward  this  same  Jesuit  came  again  from  France  to  Canada. 
As  our  Indians  had  made  peace  with  the  French,  he  again  left 
Canada,  and  took  up  his  residence  among  the  Mohawks.  He  in- 
dulged in  the  largest  expectations  of  converting  them  to  popery, 
but  the  Mohawks  with  their  hatchets,  put  him  to  a  violent  death. 
They  then  brought  and  presented  to  me  his  Missal  and  Breviary 
together  ^vith  his  underclothing,  shirts  and  coat.  When  I  said  to 
them,  that  I  would  not  have  thought  that  they  would  have  killed 
this  Frenchman,  they  answered,  that  the  Jesuits  did  not  consider 
the  fact,  that  their  people  (the  French)  were  always  planning  to 
kill  the  Dutch. 

In  the  year  1644  our  Indians  again  took  captive  a  Jesuit,  who 
had  been  treated  in  the  same  manner  as  to  his  hands  and  fingers 
as  the  above  mentioned.  The  Jesuit  was  brought  to  us  naked, 
with  his  maimed  and  bloody  fingers.  We  clothed  him,  placed  him 
under  the  care  of  our  surgeon,  and  he  almost  daily  fed  at  my 
table.  This  Jesuit  (Bressani,)  a  native  of  Kouen,  was  ransomed 
by  us  from  the  Indians,  and  we  sent  him  by  ship  to  France.  He 
also  returned  again  from  France  to  Canada.  He  wrote  me  a  let- 
ter, as  the  previously  mentioned  one  had  done,  thanking  me  for 
the  benefits  I  had  conferred  on  him.  He  stated  also  that  he  had 
not  argued,  when  with  me,  on  the  subject  of  religion,  yet  he  had 
felt  deeply  interested  in  me  on  account  of  my  favors  to  him;  that 
he  was  anxious  for  the  life  of  my  soul,  and  admonished  me  to  come 
again  into  the  Papal  Church  from  which  I  had  separated  myself. 
In  each  case  I  returned  such  a  reply  that  a  second  letter  was 
never  sent  me. 

The  French  have  now  for  some  time  been  at  peace  with  our 
Indians.  In  consequence  thereof,  it  has  happened  that  several 
Jesuits  have  again  gone   among  our  Indians,  who  are  located 


1668 


438  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

about  four  or  five  days  journey  from  Fort  Orange.  But  they 
did  not  permanently  locate  themselves  there.  All  returned  to 
Canada  except  one,  named  Simon  Le  Moyne,  (Le  Moine,).  He 
has  several  times  accompanied  the  Indians  out  of  their  own  coun- 
try, and  visited  Fort  Orange.  At  length  he  came  here  to  the 
Manhattans,  doubtless  at  the  invitation  of  Papists  living  here,  es- 
pecilly  for  the  sake  of  the  French  privateers,  who  are  Papists, 
and  have  arrived  here  with  a  good  prize. 

He  represented  that  he  had  heard  the  other  Jesuits  speak  much 
of  me,  who  had  also  highly  praised  me  for  the  favors  and  bene- 
fits I  had  shown  them;  that  he,  therefore,  could  not,  while  present 
here,  neglect  personally  to  pay  his  respects  to  me,  and  thank  me 
for  the  kindness  extended  to  their  Society.  1.  He  told  me  that 
during  his  residence  among  our  Indians  he  had  discovered  a  salt 
spring,  situated  fully  one  hundred  (Dutch)  miles  (three  hundred 
English  miles)  from  the  sea;  and  the  water  was  so  salt  that  he  had 
himself  boiled  excellent  salt  from  it.  2.  There  was  also  another 
spring  w^hich  furnished  oil.  Oleaginous  matter  floated  on  its  sur- 
face, with  which  the  Indians  anointed  their  heads.  3.  There  was 
another  spring  of  hot  sulphurous  water.  If  paper  and  dry  ma- 
terials were  throwm  into  it,  they  became  ignited.  Whether  all  this 
is  true,  or  a  mere  Jesuit  lie,  I  will  not  decide.  I  mention  the 
whole  on  the  responsibility  and  authority  of  the  Jesuit. 

He  told  me  that  he  had  lived  about  twenty  years  among  the 
Indians.  When  he  was  asked  w^hat  fruit  had  resulted  from  his 
labors,  and  whether  he  had  taught  the  Indians  anything  more 
than  to  make  the  sign  of  the  cross,  and  such  like  superstitions,  he 
answered  that  he  was  not  inclined  to  debate  with  me,  but  wanted 
only  to  chat.  He  spent  eight  days  here,  and  examined  everything 
in  our  midst.  He  then  liberally  dispensed  his  indulgences,  for 
he  said  to  the  Papists,  (in  the  hearing  of  one  of  our  people  w^ho 
understood  French),  that  they  need  not  go  to  Pome ;  that  he  had 
as  full  power  from  the  Pope  to  forgive  their  sins,  as  if  they  were 
to  go  to  Rome.     He  then  returned  and  resided  in  the  country 


OF  THE  State  of  jSTew  York.  430 

of  the  Mohawks  the  whole  winter.  In  the  spring,  however, 
troubles  began  to  arise  again  between  our  Indians  and  the  Cana- 
dians. He  then  packed  up  his  baggage,  and  returned  to  Canada, 
On  his  journey,  when  at  Fort  Orange,  he  did  not  forget  me,  but 
sent  me  three  Catalogues:  The  first,  on  the  succession  of  the 
Popes;  the  second,  on  the  Councils;  and  the  third  was  about 
heresies,  all  A\Titten  out  by  himself.  He  sent  with  them  also,  a 
letter  to  me,  in  w4iich  he  exhorted  me  to  peruse  carefully  these 
Catalogues,  and  meditate  on  them,  and  that  Christ  hanging  on  the 
Cross,  was  still  ready  to  receive  me,  if  penitent.  I  answered  him 
by  the  letter  herewith  forwarded,  which  w^as  sent  by  a  yacht  going 
from  here  to  the  river  St.  Lawrence  in  ISTew  France.  I  know  not 
whether  I  shall  receive  an  answer.* 

Yalete,  Domini  Fratres,  Yester  ex  officio, 
1658,  Sept.  28th.  Joannes  Megapolensis. 

(Names  of  Dutch  immigrants  for  1658.  Doc.  Hist.  N".  Y.  iii. 
33,  34.) 

Kev.  Polhemius. 

1658,  Oct.  7th. 

Levin  Hans  a  citizen  of  this  place,  hands  in  a  letter  from  Rev. 
Polhemius,  of  l!^ew  E'etherland,  wherein  he  asks  that  this  Classis 
would  aid  him  in  seeing  that  the  moneys  which  are  still  due  him, 
on  account  of  his  salary  from  the  West  India  Company,  may  be 
fonvarded  to  him  as  soon  as  possible.  The  Assembly  agreed  to 
do  this  and  commends  the  furtherance  thereof  to  the  Rev.  Depu- 
tati  ad  res  Indicas.    vi.  120;  xix.  62. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1659,  Jan.  13th. 
Rev.  Abram  Roeloff  in  the  chair. 

A  letter  from  I^ew  Amsterdam,  in  l^ew  jSTetherland,  was  read, 
of  the  date  of  Sept.  24,  1658,  and  signed  by  John  Megapolensis 
and  Samuel  Drisius,  of  the  following  contents:   (An  abstract  is 


165S 


*See  note  under  date  of  August  26,  1657. 


1659 


440  Ecclesiastical  Records 

here  given  of  this  letter,  and  of  others  of  May  20,  West  India 
Company  to  Stnyvesant;  Aug.  19,  Director  and  Council  of  'New 
!N'etherland  to  the  ministers  there;  Aug.  23,  their  answer  to  the 
Director,  etc. ;  but  as  these  are  all  found  in  full  elsewhere,  this  ab- 
stract is  omitted.)     xx.  391. 

Letters  from  ]^ew  Amsterdam. 

1659,  Feb.  3rd. 

Rev.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas,  state  that  they  have  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  New  Amsterdam,  in  which  the  brethren  there 
request  that  this  Classis  will  exert  themselves  with  the  Directors 
to  increase  the  number  of  ministers  here.  This  request  the  Rev. 
Deputies  have  already  laid  before  the  Directors,  and  received  for 
answer  that  their  Estimables  would  take  the  matter  into  serious 
consideration,  and  in  due  time  would  give  the  Brethren  further 
information  thereon.  They  further  write  that  the  Directors  had 
written  to  them,  that  too  great  strictness  is  observed  by  them  in 
the  use  of  the  formulae  of  Baptism;  that  among  other  things,  on 
account  of  the  multitude  of  Lutherans  who  are  there,  it  would 
be  expedient  to  alter  the  customary  questions,  addressed  to  the 
parents  and  witnesses,  in  respect  to  the  words,  "  the  Doctrine 
which  is  taught  here  in  the  Church '',  etc.  Regarding  this  they 
(of  New  E^etherland)  ask  advice,  how  they  are  to  act  in  this  mat- 
ter. The  Assembly  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  Brethren  must  be 
earnestly  admonished  not  to  depart  from  the  customary  formulae; 
that  meantime  an  endeavor  will  be  made  to  inform  the  Directors 
regarding  several  matters,  as  to  which  it  is  observed  that  their 
Honors  are  poorly  informed;  at  the  same  time  begging  them  not 
to  attempt  to  make  any  alterations  in  the  customary  Forms.  All 
this  the  Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas  will  attend  to.  vi.  134; 
xix.  53. 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  441 


Letter  from  the  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  ; 

Latin  School 


1659 


J 

February   13,    1659. 

Honorable,  Prudent,  Dear,  Faithful:  We  send  you  herewith  some  bound  account 
books,  paper,  quills  and  ink-powder,  required  by  you  to  complete  and  send  over  the 
resolutions  and  other  documents  of  your  administration  since  January  1657.  Al- 
though some  of  the  most  important  resolutions  and  documents  have  been  received 
by  us  since  that  time,  the  copy  of  the  record  of  resolutions  must  not  be  sent 
without  them,  that  we  may  have  here  and  can  examine  the  whole  series  in  chrono- 
logical order.  We  would  have  provided  you  with  this  stationery  earlier,  if  you  had 
asked  for  it;  and  we  send  it  now  with  pleasure  according  to  the  enclosed  state- 
ment. After  the  school  books  and  stationery  to  be  used  for  the  education  of  the 
youths,  stated  in  the  enclosed  invoice,  you  will  please  to  look  yourself. 


What  we  have  ordered  in  our  last  letter  of  the  19th  of  June  in  regard  to  the 
Lutherans,  may  be  learned  from  its  duplicate  sent  herewith;  our  intentions  are 
still  the  same,  as  we  see  no  reason,  why  the  preachers  there  should  raise  diffi- 
culties about  it;  for  it  is  an  order  practiced  in  most  of  the  Reformed  Churches 
here.  The  enclosed  open  letter  will  tell  you,  what  we  write  to  them  on  this  sub- 
ject: after  having  read  and  sealed  it,  give  it  to  your  Reverences. 


You  have  also  given  credit  to  Domine  Johannes  Polhemius  for  fl  782.6. — ,  but  as 
he  has  that  much  to  his  credit  on  his  Brasilian  account,  we  have  balanced  these 
tv^o  sums  agairiisr  each  other,  which  you  too  must  do  in  your  books  and  you  are 
hereby  expressly  charged,  not  to  give  further  credit  either  to  his  Reverence, 
whose  account  is  now  closed  and  with  whom  the  Company  has  nothing  further  to 
do,  nor  to  anybody  else,  be  he  an  officer  or  a  party,  to  whom  the  Company  owes 
nothing;  for  in  case  of  death  of  the  persons  or  other  troubles  the  Company  would 
only  be  the  loser.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  427,  429,  430,  432. 


Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

'New  JSTetheriand. 

1659,  Feb.  24tli. 

The  Rev.  Depiitati  ad  caiisas  Lidicas  having  proposed  to  the 
Estimable  Directors  the  examination  and  ordination  of  Rev.  Beau- 
mont, their  Estimables  permitted  themselves  to  be  pleased  there- 
mth;  bnt  as  to  what  was  also  enjoined  them  (the  Deputati),  to 
request  the  Directors  not  in  anywise  to  suggest  to  the  Brethren 
in  l^ew  IN^etherland  any  change  in  the  formulae  for  Baptism, 
they  noticed  when  they  waited  upon  the  Directors,  that  the  broach- 
ing of  this  subject  would  be  likely  to  awaken  some  displeasure  in 
them,  because  of  the  small  amount  of  correspondence  of  the 
Church  there  with  the  Directors;  it  was  resolved  to  confer  first 
with  the  Rev.  Classis  about  this  incident,  and  to  submit  whether 


1659 


442  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

it  be  advisable  to  precipitate  this  matter.  The  Rev.  iVs^embly 
consented  to  postpone  addressing  them  (the  Directors)  on  this  sub- 
ject until  the  Brethren  in  New  J^etherland  could  have  been 
written  to  (sainted)  thereupon  in  the  next  letters,  vi.  135 ;  xix. 
54. 

Resolution  of  the  Amsterdam  Department  of  the  West  In- 
dia Company  Appointing  a  Latin  Schoolmaster  for  i^Tew 
Amsterdam. 

Tuesday,  April  10,  1659. 

Before  the  Board  appeared  Alexander  Carolus  Curtius,  late  Professor  in 
Lithuania  mentioned  in  former  minutes,  who  offered  his  services.  After  a  vote 
had  been  taken,  he  was  engaged  as  Latin  Schoolmaster  in  2\ew  Netherland  at  a 
yearly  salary  of  five  hundred  florins,  of  which  one  quarter  shall  be  paid  to  him' 
in  advance,  that  he  may  procure  what  books  he  requires.  The  Board  further, 
grants  him  a  gratuity  of  one  hundred  florins,  which  the  Company  will  lay  Out  in 
available  merchandise  to  be  used  by  him  upon  his  arrival  in  New  Netherland, 
where  a  piece  of  land  convenient  for  a  garden  or  orchard  shall  be  allotted  to  him 
by  the  Director  General.  He  shall  also  be  allowed  to  give  private  instructions, 
as  far  as  this  can  be  done  without  prejudice  to  the  duties,  for  which  he  is 
engaged.  , 

Agrees  with  the  original  record. 

L.  Van  Vevtenter.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  437. 


Letters  from  the  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  :    

Latin  School  ; 

April  25,  1659. 

Honorable,  Prudent,  Dear,  Faithful.  Since  our  last  letter  to  you  of  the  13th  of 
February,  sent  by  the  "  Trouw  "  and  the  "  Otter  ",  the  Patroon  and  the  other 
Directors  of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  have  presented  a  remonstrance,  con- 
taining various,  but  in  the  main  the  same,  complaints,  which  have  already  been 
made  several  times,  to  which  they  have  only  added  their  lamentations  over  the 
demand  of  the  tenths  (tithes  for  Church  support,)  and  the  farming  out  of  thck 
excise  on  wine  and  beer  consumed  in  the  said  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck.  In 
regard  to  the  last  two  points  we  referred  to  what  had  passed  between  you  and 
Jan  Baptista  Rensselaer  in  June  1056  and  we  must  admit,  that  we  are  highly, 
pleased  with  your  answer  to  his  remonstrance,  wishing  only,  that  you  had  avoided 
or  passed  over  the  too  minute  explication  or  statement  regarding  the  expenses, 
which  he  claims  the  Patroon  and  the  co-director  incur  in  the  maintenance  of  their 
servants:  the  following  words  "or  if  impartial  men  etc."  might  also  have  been 
omitted,  for  it  seems,  they  have  given  these  people  with  their  unfounded  claims 
some  hope,  that  by  supporting  a  preacher  they  could  avoid  the  paying  of  the 
tenths;  especially  if  the  case  is  to  bo  adjudged  by  arbitrators,  which  they  have 
already  desired,  while  we  considered  it  uncalled  for  and  against  the  interest  of 
the  Company:  we  stand  upon  quite  a  different,  but  sufliciently  firm  basis,  also  upon 
some  demands  against  the  Patroon  and  the  co-director,  for  which  in  due  time  we 
shall  demand  satisfaction. 


OF  THE  State  of  jSTew  York.  443 

How  much  trouble  we  have  taken,  to  find  a  Latin  Schoolmaster  is  shown  by  the 
fact,  that  now  one  Alexander  Carolus  Cursius,  late  Professor  in  Lithuania,  goes 
over,  whom  we  have  engaged  as  such  at  a  yearly  salary  of  five  hundred  florins; 
board  money  included;  we  give  him  also  a  present  of  one  hundred  florins  in  mer- 
chandise, to  be  used  by  him  upon  his  arrival  there,  as  you  may  learn  by  the* 
enclosed  extract  from  our  resolutions  or  by  the  contract,  made  with  him,  to  which 
we  refer  for  brevity's  sake.—  Col.   Docs.   N,   Y.  xiv.  435,  430. 


1659 


Administeative  Mijsj-utes  of  N^ew  Amsterdam. 
Salary  of  Curtius,  Latin  teacher. 

Friday,  4th  July  1659 ;  In  the  City  Hall. 

Present  the  Heeren  JSTicasius  de  Sille,  Marten  Cregier,  Olof 
Stevensen  Cortlant. 

Alexander  Carolus  Curtius  appears  in  Court,  who  is  informed 
that  two  hundred  florins  are  allov/ed  him  as  a  yearly  present  from 
the  City;  an  order  on  the  Treasurer  is  also  handed  him  for  fifty 
florins  over  and  above,  w^hich  he  thankfully  accepts ;  but  requests 
as  he  has  but  few  scholars  as  yet,  that  his  salary  may  be  somewhat 
increased,  as  the  beginning  entails  great  expence,  saying  whenever 
he  gets  twentj'  five  to  thirty  children  to  the  school  he  shall  serve 
for  less  salary;  but  refers  it  to  the  discretion  of  the  Magistrates. — 
Early  Records  of  jSTew^  Amsterdam,  Vol.  vii.  pp.  223,  224. 

Letter  from  Director  Stuyvesant  ai\d  the  Council  to  the 
Directors  in  Holland  : — Rensselaerswy'ck  ;  Latin  School  ; 
Fort  Amsterdam. 


July  23,   1659. 

By  the  "  Trouw  ".  Honorable,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Worshipful  Gentlemen. 
The  order  issued  by  you  in  regard  to  the  sale  of  real  estate  shall  henceforth  be 
obeyed  and  carried  out;  we  have  also  considered  it  advisable  to  wait  with  the* 
collection  of  the  fortieth  penny  until  the  arrival  of  the  expected  candidates  for 
the  ministry  (propenenten),  for  then  we  shall  have  so  many  more  reasons  for  the 
introduction  of  this  measure.  i 


The  complaints  and  lucubrations  of  the  Patroon  and  the  other  Directors  of  the 
Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  together  with  your  reply  to  them,  first  call  for  our 
answer.  We  have  little  or  nothing  to  add  to  what  you  said,  because  since  the' 
departure  of  Brant  van  Slechtenhorst,  little  has  occurred  between  us  and  his 
successor  Jan  Baptista  van  Rensselaer  concerning  the  old,  frivolous  claims  and 
questions;  as  far  as  we  know  no  other  complaints  have  been  made,  than  against 
the  farming  of  the  tavernkeepers'  excise  on  beer  and  wine,  and  the  collection  of 


1659 


444  '  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

the  tenths  (tithes  for  church  support);  and  as  what  has  occurred  between  us  and 
them  in  regard  to  these  matters  has  been  sent  to  and  received  by  you  from  time 
to  time,   vre  thinlj  a  repitition  of  it  unnecessary. 


Alexander  Carolus  Cursius,  engaged  by  you  as  Latin  schoolmaster,  has  arrived 
here.  We  hope  and  trust,  that  the  community  shall  reap  the  desired  fruits  through 
their  children,  to  which  God  may  give  his  blessing:  the  state  of  the  school  shall 
be  reported  to  you  in  due  time. 


Domine  Johannes  Theodorus  Polheym,  preacher  upon  Long  Island,  remonstrates, 
as  you  may  see  from  the  enclosure  No.  —  that  you  have  deducted  fl  782.6. — 
heavy  money  from  his  credit  on  his  Brazilian  account,  which  amount  he  has 
received  here  in  light  money,  besides  fl  160,  —  a  total  of  fl  942.6.  —  for  serving 
as  minister  from  October  1654  to  the  7th  of  April  1657;  for  these  services  the^ 
above  sum  was  allowed  him  and  credited  to  his  account,  as  shown  by  the  Register 
of  Resolutions,  sent  to  you,  under  let.  E.  p.  63,  January  29th.  You  will  please 
to  give  such  order  in  this  matter,  as  in  your  opinion  equity  demands. —  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.  siv.  438,  442,  443. 


SyXOD  of  ^OETH  HoLLAlsiD,  AT  HoORN". 

1659j  Aug.  5  et  seq. 

Art.  25.  Extracts  from  the  state  of  the  cliiirclies  in  India  and 

other  foreign  regions. 


Extract  from  a  letter    from    l^ew  Motherland,  dated  September 

24,  1658. 

1.  The  English  villages  there  had  been  more  than  a  year  with- 
out preachers.  They  request  that  some  may  be  sent  them  at  the 
earliest  opportunity. 

2.  That  they  still  had  among  them  wandering  Quakers,  who 
are  tolerated  only  in  Rhode  Island. 

3.  They  make  known  the  condition  of  the  Lutherans,  that  there 
still  abode  among  them  a  pastor  (phar-heer)  of  the  name  of 
Emestus  Goetwasser.  He  lay  ill  within  'New  Amsterdam,  after 
he  had  concealed  himself  at  the  house  of  a  Lutheran  farmer. 
The  fiscal  had  been  ordered  to  send  him  away  as  soon  as  he  shall 
have  recovered. 

4.  They  request  two  Duytse  (German  or  Dutch?)  ministers,  in 
two  new  Duytse   (German  or  Dutch?)   villages.     These,  indeed, 


OF  THE  State  of  N'ew  York.  445 

sliould  be  introduced  because  of  the  difficulty  of  the  work,  in  the 
most  populous  places;  and  the  death  of  others. 

5.  They  had  been  somewhat  annoyed  by  the  Lutherans,  but 
through  the  good  care  of  the  Director-General,  of  which  they 
had  already  had  good  evidences,  they  hoped  they  would  suffer  no 
harm.     As  to  the  rest,  the  churches  were  in  a  good  condition. 

Letter  of  Director  Stuyvesant  to  Sergeant  Lourissen  aitd 
Others  at  the  Esopus;  Rev.  Domine  Begm  Proceeds 
Thither  to  Take  Charge  of  the  Cots^gregation'  There. 

Honored,  Dear  and  Beloved  Friends.  According  to  the  promise,  wliich  I  made, 
I  have  informed  the  Lords  Directors  last  year  of  your  just  demand,  to  have  there 
a  good,  orthodox  and  pious  preacher,  which  their  Honors  did  not  less  judge  proper 
and  necessary  and  they  resolved  thereupon,  to  inquire  for  some  suitable  and  pious 
candidates  and  send  them  here.  As  in  the  meantime,  the  rumor  spread  of  the 
lack  of  preachers  in  the  open  country  here,  Domine  Hermanus  Bloem,  a  candidate, 
resolved  to  make  a  voyage  hither  and  inspect  the  condition  of  affairs  and  he' 
arrived  here  by  the  ship  "  de  Otter",  bringing  with  him  very  good  testimonials 
from  several  ministers  concerning  his  life  and  good  qualities  for  preaching;  during 
his  stay  here  he  has  several  times  preached  God's  Word,  as  well  in  this  City  as  in 
the  villages  of  Brooklyn  and  Midwout,  to  the  great  satisfaction  and  pleasure  of 
his  hearers,  so  that  some  of  the  neighboring  villages  have  made  several  requests, 
to  have  him  as  their  minister,  but  considering  that  these  neighboring  villages  can 
go  to  Church  to  one  or  the  other  place  near  by  and  have  the  benefit  of  partaking 
of  the  sacraments,  while  on  the  other  side  you  can  get  to  hear  God's  Word  and 
partake  of  the  Sacraments  only  with  great  difficulties  and  troubles,  I  have  per- 
suaded the  said  Domine  Bloem  to  make  a  trip  to  the  Esopus  with  me,  as  I  intended 
to  visit  you  before  the  sailing  of  the  lately  departed  homeward  bound  ships,  but 
being  prevented  by  the  great  mass  of  our  business  and  the  time  for  the  Lord's* 
Supper  coming  on  in  the  meantime,  I  resolved  to  partake  of  it  myself,  so  that* 
it  was  finally  decided  to  leave  here  next  Thursday,  but  Homo  proponit,  Deus  dis- 
ponit;  since  that  time  I  have  suffered  almost  daily  from  a  violent  fever,  which  still 
continues,  so  that  my  indisposition  does  not  allow  me  to  go  from  home  now.  But 
in  order  not  to  delay  so  important  a  matter  but  to  let  it  have  progress,  I  have' 
resolved,  to  request  our  Reverend  Domine  Megapolensis,  the  bearer  hereof,  to  con- 
duct the  said  Domine  Blom  thither  and  inform  you  of  our  wishes  in  this  regard. 
You  will  now  hear  yourselves  the  said  Domine  Blom  preach.  If  you  are  satisfied 
with  his  gifts  (and  we  do  not  doubt,  but  he  will  please  you)  you  may  take  hold 
of  this  chance,  which  will  not  offer  again  apparently  in  some  years,  to  ask  his- 
Reverence  to  be  your  Minister  and  notify  us  by  letter,  also  how  much  you  will, 
contribute  yearly  for  his  maintenance,  which  you  will  have  to  raise  from  the- 
inhabitants  in  due  time  in  the  best  and  most  convenient  manner.  Relying  hereon 
we  commend  you  all,   with  cordial  salutations,   to   God's  merciful  protection   and 

remain. 

Honored,   Dear  and  Beloved  Friends, 

Tour  affectionate   friend. 
Actum  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland  the  (11th)  August  Anno  1659. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  102. 


1659 


1659 


446  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Letter  of  Director  Stuyvesant  to  Sergt.  Laurensen  at  the 
Esopus;  Kev.  Megapolensis  Proceeds  Thither;  Increased 
Vigilance  Recommended. 

Honorable,  Valiant  Sir.     In  case  your  Honor  should  discover  any  probabilities  in 

the  rumors  or  signs,  that  the  savages  might  attempt  something,   your  Honor  will 

communicate   it   to   the   bearers   hereof,    the    Reverend    Domine    Megapolensis    and 

Ensign  Dirck  Smith,  upon  receipt  of  whose  report  and  opinion  such  orders  shall 

be  given,  as  will  be  found  to  be  needed:  wherewith  closing  we  will  commend  your 

Honor  to  the  protection  of  God  and  remain, 

Honorable,    Valiant   Sir, 

Your  Honor's  affectionate 

P.  Stiyvesant. 

Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  the  11th  of  August,  Anno  1659, —  Col.  Docs.  N, 
Y.  Xiii.  101. 

Vice  Director  Alrichs  to  Burgomaster  de  Graaff.     (Xew 

x\mstel.  ) 
abstract. 

1659,   Aug.  16. 

After  describing  the  settlers  on  the  South  (Delaware)  River,  and  the  govern- 
ment, and  the  election  of  civil  officers,  he  adds  that  there  were  chosen  —  "  Two- 
Elders  and  two  Deacons  ". 


Moreover,  outside  the  Fort,   I  repaired  the  Clergyman's  house  and  that  of  the 
smith.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  69. 

Petition  of  Inhabitants  of  Esopus,  Requesting  that  the. 
Rev.  Mr.  Bloem  be  Appointed  their  Minister. 

To   their   Noble    Very   Worshipful    Honors,    the    Honorable    Director    General    and 
Council  of  New  Netherland. 

Show  with  due  humility  the  inhabitants  of  the  place,  called  the  Esopus,  that  on 
the  17th  of  August  the  Rev.  Hermanns  Bloem  has  preached  at  the  place  of  the 
petitioners  in  the  fore  and  afternoon,  which  has  satisfied  the  petitioners  very 
well  and  they  wish  sincerely,  that  they  could  obtain  him  for  their  duly  authorized 
minister.  They  request  therefore  respectfully,  that  your  Honorable  Worships  will 
please,  to  consider  this  matter  and  effect,  that  he  may  be  appointed  here  by  the 
proper  authority,  while  we  promise  to  treat  him  decently  and  in  order  that  his. 
Reverence  shall  be  able  to  sustain  himself  and  be  more  encouraged  in  his  work 
we  have  all  resolved  (subject  to  your  Honorable  Worships'  approval)  to  make  a 
good  bouwery  for  him,  provide  it  with  a  house,  barns,  cows  and  other  cattle  as 
proper,  to  tend  the  land,  which  your  Honorable  V\'orships  shall  please  to  allot  to 
him,  plough  it  and  bring  the  whole  in  good  order,  so  that  he  may  cultivate  it 
himself,  or  hire  it  out  advantageously,  as  long  as  he  shall  fill  the  position  of 
preacher  here,  but  in  case  he  should  leave  or  die,  then  this  bouwery  shall  always 
remain  for  the  support  of  the  minister,  then  being  here,  and  as  the  number  of  the 
petitioners  is  as  yet  very  small  and  the  establishing  of  such  a  bouwery  will  be* 
troublesome  and  costly  for  them,  may  the  petitioners  therefore  be  granted,  that 
all  who  hereafter  come  to  take  possession  of  lands  and  bouweries  here  shall  also 
contribute  pro  rata  to  the  obligations  of  the  present  petitioners,  who  must  now- 
incur  these  expenses.     We  await  a  favorable  decision  hereon. 

/.  Jacob  Jansen  Stoll 

s  ■  Thomas  Chambers 

Esopus,  the  17th  of  August  1659.'  Juriaen        Bestvall's  mark.. 

Willem        Janseu's  mark. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  103. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  447 

Co:.i:^iissio]srEiis  or  the  Colonie  on  the  Delaware  to  Vice 

Director  Alrichs. 

1659,  Aug.  22nd. 

We  are  much  pleased  to  learn  the  improvement  of  the  church 
and  congregation,  and  approve  the  purchase  of  the  house  in  which 
service  was  performed,  but  not  the  assessment  and  deduction 
prescribed  there  for  all  real  estate  (vaste  goederen),  inasmuch  as 
we  have  resolved  that,  agreeably  to  the  practice  in  this  country, 
the  40th  penny  shall  be  deducted  from  all  voluntary  sales  of  real 
estate,  and  the  80th  from  those  by  execution,  and  therefore  only 
one  half  per  cent,  and  no  more,  for  the  Secretary,  besides  his  fees 
for  writing  and  dispatch.  This,  we  understand,  is  also  the  prac- 
tice in  the  government  of  the  Manhattans.  As  to  what  further 
relates  to  the  invention  of  such  burthens  on  the  commonalty,  you 
are  ordered  and  instructed,  in  future,  not  to  resort  to  such  pro- 
ceeding without  our  knowledge,  unless  the  most  imperative  and 
extreme  necessity  in  this  regard  cannot  admit  of  any  delay. 

The  bold  undertaking  of  the  Swedish  Parson  to  preach  in  the 
Colonic  there  without  permission,  does  not  greatly  please  us. 
And  as  we  vdll  assuredly,  that,  as  yet,  no  other  religion  but  the 
Reformed  can  nor  may  be  tolerated  there,  so  you  must,  by  proper 
means,  put  an  end  to  or  prevent  such  presumption  on  the  part 
of  other  secretaries. —  Col.  Docs.  Is.  Y.  ii.  61. 

Proceedings  of  the  XIX.  in  Regard  to  Xew  JSTetherlakd. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  or  Resolutions  of  the  Assembly  of  the 
XIX.,  of  the  West  India  Company,  holden  at  Amsterdam, 
from  the  21st  August  to  the  22nd  September,  1659,  so  far  as 
they  relate  to  Xew  Xetherland. 

Monday,    the  25th   August,    1659. 

Domine  Pruelius,  Cop-a-groen  and  Van  Noort,  clergymen  enter,  who  represent 
that  the  Venerable  Classis  at  present  met  in  this  city,  had  deputed  them  to  greet 
this  Assembly  and  to  inform  it: 

1.  First.  That  they  had  learned  that  various  sects  were  residing  in  New  Nether- 
laud,  namely,  divers  Quakers  at  the  Red  Hill  or  Rhode  Island,  and  a  number  of 
Lutherans  at  New  Amsterdam  and  the  South  River,   who  were  propagating  their 


1659 


1659 


448  Ecclesiastical  Records 

doctrine  there,   requesting  tliat  provision  be  made  tlierein,  and  tlieir  conventicles 
prevented. 

2.  Secondly,  As,  according  to  letters  from  the  brethren  in  New  Netherland, 
some  Dutch  and  English  clergymen  were  required  there,  they  wish  and  request 
that  this  Assembly,  in  support  thereof,  may  adopt  a  favorable  resolution,  and  pro- 
vide the  place  with  more  ministers, 

3.  Thirdly,  As  three  clergymen  have  died  some  time  since  in  Guinea,  and  in  the 
meantime  the  congregation  are  without  any,  they  submit  and  propose  to  this 
Assembly,  in  order  to  proceed  more  assuredly  therein  and  to  provide  the  congre- 
gation there  always,  as  far  as  possible,  with  one  clergyman,  whether  a  second 
ought  to  be  sent  thither  in  addition  to  the  Minister  who  sailed  in  the  last  ship. 

4.  Fourthly,  They    demand   payment   of   the   arrears    of   the   salary   earned    by 
Domine  Polhemius,  at  present  a  minister  in  New  Netherland;  also,  that  Reverend 
Asstetten's    widow,    who    had    been    referred    to    this    Assembly    by    the    Zealand 
Chamber,  may  be  paid  what  is  due.     Which  being  considered,  and  question  being 
put,   it  is  resolved  and  concluded,  and  told  to  the  aforesaid  Domine,   who,  being 
without,  were  again  invited  in,   namely,  that  the  first  and  second  parts  of  their 
aforesaid  proposal   and  request   concerned  the  presiding  Chamber   of  Amsterdam, 
whose  delegates  being  at  present  at  this  meeting,  had  undertaken  to  communicate 
the  same  to  their  principals,  that  proper  order  may  be  taken  thereon.     But  what 
regarded  the  third  division  of  their  request,  viz.,  the  dispatching  a  second  preacher 
to   Guinea,   that  this  Assembly  considers  one   Minister  enough  for  that  place  asi 
there  is  but  a  small  congregation  there,  and  those  from  the  surrounding  forts  and 
places  came  to  Church  to  El  Mina,  and  attended  divine  service  there.     Fourthly, 
the   Minister,    Polhemus,    in   regard   to   his   petition,    is   referred   to   the   presiding^ 
Chamber  of  Amsterdam,  to  make  due  disposition  thereof.     And  the  widow  Asstet- 
ten's petition,   consisting,  in  fact,  of  three  parts,  etc. —  Col,   Docs,   N.  Y.  ii.  72. 

Wednesday,   3rd  of  September,  1659. 

The  first  point  for  consideration,  whereupon  many  deliberations  have  been  now 
for  some  time  had,  but  no  conclusion  come  to  by  the  different  members  is  resumed, 
in  order  to  bring  the  respective  Chambers  to  closer  connection,  good  correspondence 
and  union,  the  result  of  which  will  evidently  be  their  complete  restoration  and 
preservation,  the  present  deputies  from  all  the  Chambers  representing  the  Assembly 
of  the  XIX,,  resolved  and  enacted 

1.  First  and  foremost,  each  chamber,   etc. 


7.  And  in  regard  to  New  Netherland,  where  the  Amsterdam  Chamber,  and  the 
Wild  Coast,  where  the  Zealand  Chamber  has  each  already  its  Colonies,  the  other 
Chambers  respectively  will  be  at  liberty  (the  resolutions  heretofore  adopted  there- 
upon, remaining  in  full  force)  to  plant  their  Colonies  also  in  those  parts  in  suitable 
places,  having  no  proprietors,  and  to  allow  other  persons  to  come  into  their  Col- 
onies, all  with  previous  notification,  knowledge  and  approbation  of  the  Assembly 
of  the  XIX.,  and  upon  an  equal  footing,  order  and  proper  regulation,  not  conflict- 
ing with  the  already  established  Colonies,  belonging  to  said  respective  Chambers 
in  those  places  and  coasts,  the  expenses  to  be  incurred  thereby  shall  be  declared 
and  assumed  as  a  common  charge,  in  order  that  the  repartition  of  the  Company's 
receipts,  hereinbefore  more  fully  specified,  shall  be  made  in  the  same  manner,  as 
it  will  be  put  into  practice  on  the  behalf  of  the  Chambers  of  Amsterdam  and' 
Zealand,  by  virtue  of  this  resolution,  and  the  profits  accruing  therefrom  for  the 
common  advantage, 

8,  What  relates  to  the  general  trade  on  the  coast  of  Guinea,   etc— Col,   Docs. 
N.  Y.  ii.  73, 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  449 

1659 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence    from    America,    1659,    Sept.    10th.      Revs.    J. 
Megapolensis  and  S.  Drisius  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Reverend,  Pious,  Very  Learned  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ: — 
Last  year,  1658,  we  wrote  you  concerning  the  state  of  the 
church  here,  and  the  lack  of  good  preachers  not  only  among  the 
Dutch,  but  also  in  the  English  towns  under  the  jurisdiction  of  our 
government.  We  hope  you  duly  received  our  letter  although  we 
have  not  yet  received  any  answer  thereto,  the  reason  of  which 
is  unknown  to  us.  In  that  letter  of  ours  we  explained  the  cir- 
cumstances in  detail.  We  know  of  nothing  to  add,  except  the 
following: 

The  Lutheran  minister,  Joannes  Ernestus  Gutwasser  remained 
here  when  the  ships  departed  for  Holland.  This  not  only  gave 
occasion  to  many  people  to  remain  away  from  church,  but  also, 
contrary  to  the  command  of  the  Governor,  and  to  his  own  solemn 
promises,  he  began  to  hold  meetings  and  to  preach.  The  Gov- 
ernor again  learning  of  this,  forbade  him.  But  Gutwasser, 
anxious  to  trouble  the  waters,  refused  to  obey  the  orders  of  the 
Governor,  and  with  his  adherents  determined  to  persevere.  Upon 
this  he  was,  by  the  authority  of  the  Governor,  arrested  in  his  own 
house,  and  last  spring  he  was  sent  by  the  ship  De  Bruynvisch, 
(Brown  Eish,)  back  to  Holland.  There  is  now  again  quietness 
among  the  people,  and  the  Lutherans  again  go  to  church,  as  they 
were  formerly  accustomed  to  do.  One  of  their  principal  men, 
the  causa  movens,  in  the  bringing  over  of  this  preacher,  and  who 
previous  to  his  coming,  had  begun  to  hold  meetings  in  order  to 
pave  the  way  therefor,  if  he  should  come,  is  now  one  of  the  most 
punctual  attendants,  and  has  his  pew  near  to  the  pulpit.  We 
have,  therefore,  reason  to  thank  God  that  he  has  inclined  the 
hearts  of  the  Hon.  Directors  and  those  in  authority,  that  the 
threatened  split  among  the  inhabitants,  and  the  imminent  injury 

2^ 


1659 


450  Ecclesiastical  Records 

to  this  infant  church,  have  been  averted  by  their  vigilance  and 
discretion. 

Last  April  there  arrived  here  in  a  ship  from  Holland,  a  candi- 
date of  Theology,  (or  proponent),  named  Hermanns  Bloem,  bring- 
ing T\'ith  him  his  academical  testimonials,  and  also  those  of  his 
preparatory  examination.  We  consented  that  he  should  preach 
in  this  and  the  adjacent  places,  which  he  has  done  several  times 
to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  hearers.  There  are  at  least  two 
places  where  they  have  invited  Domine  Bloem  to  settle  as  their 
minister.  They  offer  good  terms,  as  appears  in  the  request  con- 
cerning this  matter,  which  they  have  presented  to  the  Directoi> 
General  and  his  Council  of  ^ew  Xetherland,  and  which  thev  have 
also  doubtlessly  forwarded  to  the  Hon.  Directors.  He  therefore 
returns  to  Holland,  to  undergo  the  peremptory  (final)  examina- 
tion, and  receive  ordination  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  in  order 
to  prosecute  the  same  here.  We  hope  the  Directors  will  facilitate 
this  affair,  and  that  he  may  have  the  favor  of  your  Reverences. 
Finally,  we  commend  you  to  the  protection  of  the  Most  High, 
while  we  pray  for  his  blessing  on  all  our  ministries. 

Your  Reverences  Obedient, 

Johannes  Megapolensis. 

Samuel  Drisius. 
^ew  Amsterdam, 

Sept.  10,  1659. 

Extract  from  a  Letter  of  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors  in 

Holland  :   The  Rev.  Harmanus  Bloem  Has 

Arrived  and  is  Proposed  to  Send  Him  to  the  Esopus  ;  .  .  .  . 

September  17th  1659. 

Your  Honors  inform  us  in  their  favor  of  the  13th  of  February,  received  by  "  de 
Trouw  ",  among  others,  that  for  the  promotion  of  divine  service  in  the  country 
your  Honors  has  resolved  and  already  issued  orders  to  send  over  two  or  three  God- 
fearing and  suitable  candidates.  Upon  the  strength  of  that  rumor  one  Harmanus 
Bloem  of  Amsterdam  has  now  proceeded  hither,  persuaded  and  advised  thereto, 
as  his  Reverence  says,  by  some  preachers  of  the  aforesaid  city;  he  has  preached 
here  as  well  as  in  the  country  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  hearers,  so  much  so  that 
we  have  been  petitioned  in  regard  to  him,  to  have  him  as  their  Minister,  as  your 
Honors  may  see  by  the  enclosure  No.  4;  under  the  circumstances,  as  your  Honors 
are  the  Lords  and  Patroons  in  general  and  consequently  this  matter  concerns  the 


OF  THE  State  of  [N'ew  York.  451 

Classis,  we  did  not  wish  to  meddle  any  further  In  this  matter,  except  to  recom- 
mend the  said  Domine  Harmanus  Bloem  to  your  Honors  and  to  request,  partly 
on  his  account  as  he  has  been  candidate  for  a  long  time,  partly  for  the  sake  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Esopus,  that  your  Honors  will  please  to  look  upon  him  with 
favor.  We  hope  and  trust  from  the  short  conversation  had  with  him,  that  he  will 
be  for  many  a  good  leader  to  salvation  and  should  your  Honors  indeed  send  beside 
him,  two  or  three  God-fearing  candidates  more,  even  though  only  at  a  salary  of  five 
or  six  hundred  guilders,  we  trust,  nay,  we  may  assure  your  Honors,  that  the 
balance  up  to  ten,  eleven  or  twelve  hundred  guilders  will  be  raised  here  by  the. 
parishes,  one  contributing  less  the  other  more,  according  to  the  ability  of  the 
villages.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  110,  111. 

Extract  from  a  Letter  of  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors: 
Latin  School;  Medicinal  Seeds  Wanted. 

September  17,  1659. 

The  Latin  schoolmaster  or  rector,  lately  sent  over,  complains  of  his  salary, 
because,  he  says  it  is  impossible  to  support  himself  decently  with  it,  as  you  may 
aee  by  this  enclosed  letter  to  us.  Your  repeated  Instructions  do  not  allow  us,  to 
raise  anybody's  salary  without  your  knowledge;  we  have  therefore  referred  him  to 
you,  promising  him  our  favorable  recommendation:  we  now  request  your  Honors' 
advice,  whether  a  reasonable  sum  may  not  be  granted  to  him  for  board  money. 
As  to  his  services  and  diligence,  we  must  truly  testify,  that  his  Industry  is  astonish- 
ing and  the  progress  of  the  young  people  remarkable. 

Among  other  necessaries  required  we  would  respectfully  remind  your  Honors 
and  submit,  whether  it  is  not  possible,  to  receive  by  somebody's  recommendation 
and  intervention  from  the  Botanical  Garden  at  Leyden  some  medicinal  seeds  and 
plants,  which  could  be  cultivated  here;  if  so,  which  we  desire  most  heartily, 
please  to  have  some  of  them  sent  over  by  the  first  opportunity,  taking  care,  that 
such  seeds  be  not  packed  in  boxes  or  pots  In  the  shipshold,  but  in  small,  linen  bags, 
all  placed  in  a  larger  one  and  hung  up  in  the  cabin,  in  the  room  on  the  quarterdeck 
or  in  the  gunner's  quarters,  to  be  preserved  from  spoiling. —  Col,  Docs.  N.  Y. 
xiv.  445. 

Order  Appointing  a  Day  of  General  Fasting  and  Prayes 

FOR  October  15,  1659. 
Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful: — 

AlttLOugh  the  most  merciful  God,  rich  in  grace  and  compassion, 
hath,  notwithstanding  our  unwortbiness,  watched  over  us  hitherto, 
and  daily  gives  us  abundant  cause  to  proclaim  His  praise  and  to 
bless  His  august  name  for  the  innumerable  benefits  and  favors 
exhibited  from  time  to  time;  in  granting  peace  and  quiet  both 
with  our  neighboring  Christian  nations  and  the  Indians,  the  na- 
tives of  the  country,  as  well  as  in  bestowing  a  bountiful  harvest, 
having  certainly  blessed  our  basket  of  bread  and  staff  of  life; 
wherein  his  goodness  and  beneficence  are  clearly  manifest : 

Yet,  considering  that  the  righteous  God  hath  visited  many  and 


1650 


1660 


452  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

divers  inhabitants  of  this  Province,  not  only  this  summer,  Tvith 
painful  and  long,  lingering  sickness,  but,  moreover,  also,  that 
His  kindled  anger  and  uplifted  hand  threatened  with  many  and 
divers  punishments,   especially  with   a  devastating  Indian  war, 
which  is  no  other  than  a  just  punishment  and  visitation  of  our 
God  for  our  enoiTaous  sins  of  unbelief,  dilatoriness  in  God's  ser- 
vice, blaspheming  His  holy  name,  desecrating  the  Sabbath,  drunk- 
enness, lasciviousness,  whordom,  hate,  envy,  lies,  fraud,  luxury, 
abuse  of  God's  gifts,  and  many  other  iniquities.     And  because 
we  run  counter  to  God  in  our  sins,  God,  in  his  threatenings  will 
oppose  us  with  punishments,  unless  we  turn  to  Him  (whom,  in 
our  iniquities,  we  have  abandoned)  in  sincere  humility  and  true 
contrition  of  heart  that  He  may  turn  aside  His  wrath  from  us, 
and  assist  and  bless  us  with  His  favor;  therefore,  we  have  con- 
sidered it  most  necessary,  to  that  end,  to  proclaim  Wednesday, 
the  15th  of  October  of  the  current  year,  a  day  of  Universal  Fast- 
ing and  Prayer,  and  accordingly,  notify  and  command  all  our 
officers  and  subjects  that  they  prepare  themselves  on  the  afore- 
said day  to  appear,  at  the  time  aforesaid,  mth  changed  heart, 
at  the  usual  place  in  the  general  meeting,  not  only  to  hear  God's 
Word,  but  also,  unanimously,  with  an  humble  and  penitent  heart, 
solemnly  to  call  on  the  Lord's  name  that  it  may  please  His  Divine 
Majesty  to  remove  from  our  road  His  just  plagues,  where^vith 
we  are  already  stricken,  and  to  divert  His  rod,  which  flourishes 
over  us,  and  to  pour  down  His  Avrath  on  the  Heathen  who  know 
not   His  name;   to   take   this   just   budding  Province   into   His 
fatherly  protection;  to  maintain  it  against  the  efforts  of  all  evil- 
minded  men  who  seek  its  ruin;  mercifully  to  visit  the  inhabit- 
ants and  subjects  of  this  Province  with  corporeal  and  spiritual 
blessings,  that  the  Word  of  Truth  may  be  proclaimed  and  spread 
among  many  people,  and  that  their  rulers  may  be  as  lights  among 
this  evil  and  perverse  generation :  that  to  this  end  God  may  vouch- 
safe to  send  forth  faithful  laborers  into  His  harvest  to  proclaim 
unto  Jacob  his  sins  and  imto  Israel  his  transgressions;  particu- 
larly that  God  would  please  to  endow  our  Magistrates  and  Re- 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  453 

1659 

gents  of  this  land  with  understanding,   wisdom,   foresight  and 

goodness,  that  they  may  resolve,  design  and  valiantly  execute 

whatsoever  may  be  of  service  to  the  happiness  of  the  country 

and  the  welfare  of  its  inhabitants  both  in  body  and  soul. 

In  order  that  it  may  be  the  better  put  into  practice,  we  interdict 
and  forbid,  during  divine  service  on  the  day  aforesaid  all  exercise 
and  games  of  tennis,  ball-playing,  hunting,  fishing,  ploughing 
and  so^\dng,  and,  moreover,  all  other  unlawful  practices,  such 
as  dice,  dnmkenness,  on  pain  of  the  corporeal  correction  and 
punishment  thereunto  already  affixed;  in  like  manner  are  all  ser- 
vants of  the  Divine  Word,  within  our  government,  hereby  ad- 
monished to  direct  their  preaching  and  prayers  to  this  end. 

Thus  done  and  concluded  in  our  Council,  in  Fort  Amsterdam, 
in  Xew  ISTetherland,  the  30th  of  September,  Anno  1659. 

(Signed),  P.  Stuyvesant. 

Beneath  was : — 

After  collating  this  with  the  original,  dated  and  signed  as 
above,  it  is  found  by  me  to  agree. 

(Signed),  C.  van  Kuyven,  Sec. 

On  the  side  was: 

Delivered  the  writing  to  Domine  Welius  on  the  10th  of  this 
October,  1659.—  Col.  Docs.  :N'.  Y.  ii.  78. 

JOUEN^AL  OF  THE  DuTCH  EmBASSY  TO  MARYLAND. 

1659,   Sept.  30. 
Journal  kept  by  Augustine  Heermans  during  his  Embassy  from  tlie  Right  Honor- 
able  the   Director-General,    Petrus   Stuyvesant   and   the   Supreme    Council   of   New 
Netherland,  to  the  Honorable  Governor-General  and  Council  of  Maryland,  touching 
the  pretentions  set  up  by  Colonel  Nathaniel  Utie  to  the  South  River. 


October  12/2,    Sunday. 

Accompanied  Mr.  Overzee  to  Secretary  Calvert's  to  dinner,  where  Mr.  Doughty, 
the  minister,  accidentally  called.  After  the  cloth  was  removed,  talked  about 
his  charts  or  maps  of  the  country,  of  which  he  laid  on  the  table  two  that 
were  engraved  and  one  in  manuscript.  One  was  printed  at  Amsterdam,  by  direc« 
tion  of  Captain  Smith,  the  first  discoverer  of  the  Great  bay  of  Chesapeake,  or 
Virginia;  the  second  appeared  also  to  be  printed  at  Amsterdam,  at  the  time  of* 
Lord  Balthamoor's  patent:  we  knew  not  by  whom  or  where  the  manuscript  one 
was  drawn.  All  differed,  one  from  the  other.  He  wished  to  prove  from  them  the 
extent  of  Lord  Balthamoor's  boundaries,  but  we,  on  the  contrary,  showed  and 
maintained  that  if  Chesapeake  bay  ran,  above,  so  crooked  towards  the  northeast, 
they  would  come  so  far  within  our  line. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  88,  93. 


1659 


454  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Acts  of  the  Olassis  of  Amsterdam. 

Lutheran  Cliurch  in  Xew  Netherland. 

1659,  Nov.  3rd. 

The  said  brethren  did  also  read  a  letter  sent  to  them  from 
'N&w  Netherland  from  which  are  learned  the  good  efforts  which 
are  made  there  for  stopping  the  Lutheran  conventicleSj  and  with 
such  success  that  their  meetings  have  been  prevented  entirely, 
and  the  Lutherans  come  to  church  again.  The  minister  Gutt- 
waeser,  has  been  put  in  jail  and  was  sent  to  the  Fatherland  with 
the  first  ships.  The  Assembly  rejoiced  in  all  this.  It  was  re- 
solved to  thank  the  Directors  here  by  word  of  mouth;  and  also 
the  Rev.  Brethren  thereby  better,  for  the  good  endeavors  put 
forth,  with  the  request  that  their  Estimables  will  be  pleased  to 
extend  the  same  to  the  Director,  (Stuyvesant.)  vi.  168. 
xix.  59. 

Rev.  Herman  Bloni. 

1659,  Nov.  3rd. 

It  was  also  made  known  in  the  same  (letter)  that  Rev.  Her- 
manns Blom,  a  candidate,  had  arrived  there,  provided  with  his 
Academical  certificates,  and  (one,  of  his)  preparatory  Examina- 
tion. He  had  preached  several  times  to  the  great  satisfaction 
of  the  hearers.  He  had  made  himseK  so  acceptable  in  at  least 
two  places,  that  they  had  invited  him  to  be  their  minister  on 
very  good  terms.  To  this  end  Rev.  Blom  had  come  back  and  had 
been  presented  to  the  Directors,  that  he  might  be,  according  to 
the  usual  order,  examined  for  ordination,  and  be  promoted  to  the 
Sacred  Ministry  of  the  Church.  For  this  purpose  their  Revs, 
hope  to  have  the  favor  of  the  Directors,  and  request  our  assist- 
ance. The  Assembly  resolved  to  summon  Rev.  Bloem  himself 
before  them,  and  to  confer  with  him  about  this  matter.  Having 
been  heard,  he  gave  satisfaction  to  the  Assembly  on  everything 
that  was  proposed  to  him.  They  also  saw  a  laudable  testimonial 
from  the  brethren  there,  and  understood  the  affection  bestowed 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  455 

upon  him  by  the  churches  there.  They  have  therefore  chosen 
Kev.  Hermaiinus  Bloem  as  minister  to  New  Netherland.  The 
approval  of  the  Directors  is  to  be  requested,  provisionally.  Rev. 
John  Mouvlourt  was  appointed  Examiner.  Hfe  gave  Rev.  Bloem 
the  text  1  John  5  :7.  The  Rev.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  will 
send  out  notice  of  the  time  (for  the  meeting)  of  Classis.  vi.  169  ; 
xix.  69.  .         .       ...  --^^i-fy. 

Administrative  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 
Election  of  a  Chnrchmaster. 

Friday,  14th  November  1659:  In  the  City  Hall.  Present  the  Heeren  Marten 
Cregier,  Olof  Stevensen  Cortlaut. 

Hendrick  Jansen  Vander  Vin  appears  in  Court  requesting,  that  a  Churchmaster 
be  appointed  with  him  instead  of  Pieter  Tonneman.  Whereupon  Nicasius  de  Sille 
and  Pieter  Rudolfus  are  put  in  nomination. 


1659 


Whereas  Pieter  Tonneman,  Churchmaster  of  this  City,  has  departed  hence  to 
Fatherland  in  the  ship  the  Moesman,  and  the  office  is  consequently  vacant;  and 
whereas  it  is  necessary  the  place  should  be  again  filled,  the  Burgomasters  therefore 
propose  to  your  Honors  for  this  purpose  a  double  nomination  to  select  therefrom 
one  in  the  place  of  the  abovenamed  Churchmaster: — to  wit  — 

Nicasius  de  Sille, 
Pieter  Rudolfus. 
Requesting  your  Honors  to  be  pleased  to  elect  from  them  such  as  your  Honors 
May  please;  and  remain  Right  Honorable  your  Honors'  Subjects, 

The  Burgomasters  of  the  City  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland.  By  order  of  the 
same, 

Joannes  Nevius,  Secretary. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  vii.  p.  237. 


Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  Elom. 

1659,  Nov.  lYtk. 

The  call  of  Rev.  Biom  to  the  service  of  the  church  of  New 
Netherland  having  been  laid  before  the  Directors,  was  followed 
by  their  Estimables,  but  inasmuch  as  Rev.  Blom  will  not  set 
out  so  very  soon,  the  fixing  of  the  time  for  his  examination  is 
for'  the  present  postponed.  The  Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Indicas 
are  charged  to  note  the  time  of  his  departure,  so  that  the  time 
of  his  examination  may  be  fixed  accordingly,  vi.  170,  171 ;  xix. 
59. 


1669 


456  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Rev.  Polliemius. 

1659,  Nov.  17th. 

A  letter  handed  in  from  Rev.  Polhemins,  minister  in  ^N'ew 
!N^etherland,  in  which  he  thanks  this  Classis  for  the  trouble  taken 
by  the  same  some  time  ago  on  behalf  of  himself  and  his  vdfe. 
vi.  171 ;  xix.  59. 

Sheriff  Van  Schweeingen   to   the   Commissionees   of   the 

COLONIE    CIS"    the    DeLAWAEE   RiVEE. 

1659,  :N'ov.  or  Dec. 

He  alludes  to  his  having  requested  Domine  Welius  to  ask  a 
certain  favor  of  the  Director  for  him.     In  conclusion  he  says : 

"  HercTvith  I  commend  your  Worships  to  the  protection  of 
God  Almighty,  who  will  always  keep  and  preserve  you,  and  direct 
your  Honor's  undertaking  to  the  advancement  of  this  colonic  and 
God's  Church.—  Col.  Docs.  :N'.  Y.  ii.  106-7. 

Vice-Dieector  Aleichs  to  the  Commissionees  of  the  Colonie 

OF  the  Delawaee  Rivee. 


Again,  you  are  advised  that  our  minister,  Domine  Everardus 
Welius,  hath  died  on  the  9th  instant,  to  the  sorrow  and  grief 
of  us  all. 


Your  Honors  are  against  hereby  respectfully  requested  to  pay 
as  much  attention  as  possible  to  the  sending  another  minister 
hither  very  speedily,  so  that  the  congregation  now  here  collected 
may  not  come  all  at  once  to  grow  \vild.  Wherewith  commend- 
ing your  Honors  to  God's  protection. 

Your  Honors'  obedient  and  obliged  servant, 

(Signed),  J.  Alrichs. 

On  one  side: 

Xew  Amstel,  on  the  South  River,  in  Xew  ^N'etherland,  this  12th 
December,  1659.—  Col.  Docs.  K  Y.  ii.  112,  114. 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  457 

1669 

Jacob  Aldeichs  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ; Death 

OF  Eev.  Welius. 


Also  for  information,  tliat  Domine  Welius  died  liere,  to  all  our  grief  and  regret, 
on  the  9th  inst.,  after  a  sickness  of  a  few  days. 


New  Amstel,  this  12th  December,  1659.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  285,  286. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1669,  Dec.  12tli. 

The   Church  of  ISTew  Amstel,   South  Eiver,  to  the  Classis   of 

Amsterdam. 

Eeverend,    Pious    and    Learned    Gentlemen,    and   Brethren    in 
Christ : — 

We  find  ourselves  imder  the  sad  necessity  of  informing  you 
that  it  has  pleased  Almighty  God  to  remove  to  his  heavenly  glory, 
on  the  9th  inst.,  our  excellent  and  worthy  minister,  Domine  Ever- 
ardus  Welius,  after  he  had  served  this  church  and  congregation, 
with  godliness  of  life,  and  edifying  doctrine,  for  the  space  of 
eighteen  (twenty  eight?)  months.  This  loss  causes  here  much 
sorrow  and  grief  of  heart.  During  this  time  the  church  in- 
creased remarkably,  furnishing  proof  of  your  christian  care  and 
providence  in  her  behalf.  The  church  now  consists  of  sixty  mem- 
bers. It  has  therefore  been  greatly  strengthened,  formerly  hav- 
ing had  only  nineteen.  Fully  confiding  in  your  pious  compassion, 
and  your  regard  for  this  people,  of  which  we  have  already  had 
such  convincing  proof,  and  in  order  that  the  community  may  not 
run  wild,  we  again  send  our  christian  requests,  that  you  would 
procure  for  us  another  minister  and  pastor.  May  one  come 
among  us  as  soon  as  possible,  who  will  turn  the  flock  back  again. 


1659 


468  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

TV©  commend  you,   Reverend,   Pious   and  learned  brethren   in 
Christ,  to  the  protection  of  Almighty  God,  while  we  remain, 

Yonr  dutiful  servants, 

J.  Alrick  )  ^, , 

T-        ^T-•^T  y  i^lders. 

J  ean  W  liliams,  ) 

Evert    Pieterse,    Chorister, 

0 

Visitor  of  the  Sick,  and 

Deacon. 
New  Amstel,  S.R. 

December  12,  1659. 

Gn  Dec.  12,  1659,  among  the  items  in  the  debts  due  in  the 

Colony  of  Xew  Amstel,  is  the  following : —  "  The  creditors  of 

Andries  Hude  for  the  church,  nine  hundred  florins  ".     (Col.  Docs. 

K  Y.  ii.  iii.) 

Skippee  Huts  to  the  Commissio]S"ees  of  the  Colonie  ox  the 

Delawaee  Rivee. 

On  board  the  gallot  Nieuwer  Amstel,   lying  at  the  ferry,  in  front  of  the  Man- 
hattans, 24th  December,  Anno  1659. 
Honorable,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Right  Discreet  Gentlemen: 


What  regards  the  building  carried  on  there,  'tis  of  little  expense;  the  first  winter 
I  remained  there,  I  made  application  for  my  crew  to  be  allowed  to  assist  the 
carpenters,  in  putting  the  Director's  house  under  cover.  I  gave  thirty  five  days 
with  my  carpenter  and  pilot;  he  promised  to  pay  me  as  much  as  he  had  given  one 
baes  Joost,  but  when  the  work  and  also  the  church  and  guard-house  were  finished, 
he  put  me  off  and  paid  me  in  sweet  words;  but  he  hath  paid  my  carpenter  and 
pilot.  \ 


The  death  of  Everardus  Welius,  our  minister,  who  piously  rested  in  the  Lord  on 
the  9th  instant,  has  caused  deep  sorrow  here  and  especially  among  the  virtuous, 
who  now  are  almost  disconsolate. 

Also,  Cornelis  Harpersen  de  Jager  was  likewise  buried  here  at  the  Manhattans 
on  the  20th  instant,  so  that  almost  all  the  people  are  dead,  run  away,  or  banished, 
and  very  little  hope  is  remaining,  and  there  is  every  appearance  of  that  little. 
being  less.     Dec.  9,  1659.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  11.  114,  115,  116. 


William  Beeckman  to  Dieector  Stutvesant; 
BuEiAL  OF  Rev.  Welius  ;   


Domine  Welius  has  been  buried  yesterday,  he  died  of  his  sickness  on  the  10th 
day.  I  too  have  had  again  an  attack  of  violent  fever  last  Monday  night,  having^ 
a  great  pressure  on  the  chest  with  violent  ^ains  in  the  side,  so  that  I  feel  very 


OF  THE  State  of  ^ew  York.  459 

miserably;  during  the  first  three  days  and  nights  I  discharged  only  blood  and* 
phlegm,  so  that  It  was  horrible  to  see,  it  has  weakened  me  so,  that  I  can  hardly 
walk  alone.  I  hope  that  the  Lord  God  will  grant  me  a  little  longer  life  considering 
may  wife  and  little  children.  Altena.  December  13.  1659. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii. 
286,  287.  i 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Director 
Stuyvesant:  English  settlements  on  the  North  Eiver  must 
be  prevented :  Kev.  Harmanus  Bloem  returns  to  New  ]S^ethel^ 
land.     22nd  December  1659,  received  5th  April  1660. 

Thus  far  In  answer  to  your  Honors  first  letter  of  the  23rd  of  July;  we  now 
come  to  the  subsequent  letters  of  the  4th,  16th  and  17th  of  September,  in  which 
the  principal  topic  is  the  distressing  condition  and  decline  of  the  City's  Colony;* 
as  we  have  replied  to  this  in  our  last,  we  shall  pass  it  over  here  and  come  to  the 
one  which  follows,  that  is  the  inclination  of  and  the  efforts  made  by  the  English, 
to  form  a  settlement  on  the  North  River  near  the  Wappinghskil;  we  judge  thfe 
reasons  and  difficulties,  stated  by  your  Honors  regarding  this,  worth  consideration; 
also  their  advice,  to  anticipate  this  nation:  therefore  their  coming  in  and  settling 
must  above  all  be  prevented  and  hindered  by  whatever  means  it  can  be  done  with- 
out difficulty,  as  there  is  no  other  passage  to  that  place,  than  along  the  North; 
River.  The  English  government  here  in  this  country  is,  we  believe,  not  in  a 
position  to  care  for  or  trouble  itself  about  such  affairs  and  illegal  usurpations  in 
foreign  countries,  we  are  nevertheless  glad  to  hear  of  your  Honors'  Intention  to 
buy  the  land  in  that  neighborhood  in  order  to  make  our  right  indisputable  and' 
thus  to  avoid  all  further  cavilling  as  much  as  possible,  for  they  often  make! 
wonderful  claims  elsewhere,  which  cause  here  great  troubles  and  dissatisfaction. 
We  shall  not  rest  in  the  meantime,  but  make  efforts,  to  get  some  farmers,  (for 
whose  accommodation  farming  Implements  are  going  over  now)  toward  spring,  for 
which  we  shall  also  call  upon  the  Polish  nobleman  Lodem  Bachlot  and  others  for 
help  and  assistance,  that  henceforth  the  expenses,  which  the  Company  incurs  In 
bringing  over  such  people,  may  become  a  source  of  profit.  We  intend  also  to  look 
about  for  some  young  fellows  of  fifteen,  sixteen  or  more  years,  whom  we  shall 
not  be  afraid  of  sending  over  at  a  monthly  salary  of  four  guilders,  trusting  that 
they  will  be  in  demand  and  may  be  employed  in  promoting  agriculture.  In  that 
case  the  masters,  who  shall  hire  them,  must  refund  to  the  Company  the  sums- 
advanced  for  the  passage  and  handsel  of  the  boys,  farmers  and  farm  laborers. 
Close  attention  must  be  paid  to  their  conduct  and  work:  the  Indolent  must  be? 
compelled  to  work,  for  it  Is  at  least  their  duty  to  repay  by  their  labor  the  sums- 
advanced  to  them.  You  will  make  such  regulations  In  this  matter,  as  you  will  deem 
best  for  the  welfare  of  the  Company  and  the  community. 

We  have  heard  with  deep  regret,  that  the  savages  have  again  murdered  sijc 
Christians  there:  as  this  can  only  be  prevented  by  the  concentration  of  the 
separate  dwellings,  the  people  must,  necessarily,  be  compelled  to  submit  to  It  aa 
a  measure,  founded  upon  sound  political  reasons  and  adopted  for  the  benefit  and 
preservation  of  the  community.  Meanwhile  you  must  endeavor  to  obtain  possession 
of  the  murderers  or  at  least  of  some  members  of  their  tribe,  which,  we  think, 
would  serve  to  get  hold  of  the  others  by  means  of  threats:  or  else  you  must' 
punish  the  Innocent,  in  the  hope  of  checking  these  barbarous  tribes.     You  ought 


1669 


*  New  Amstel,  now  New  Castle,  Del. —  See  Col.  Docs.,  Vol.  xll. 

t  The  war  carried  on  successfully  at  this  period  by  King  Frederic  of  Denmark, 
with  the  assistance  of  the  Dutch,  against  Charles  Gustavus  of  Sweden  and  Poland, 
seems  to  have  brought  the  Dutch  into  closer  connection  with  Poland  and  put  this 
notion  Into  the  heads  of  the  Directors. 


1669 


460  Ecclesiastical  Records  , 

under  no  circumstances  settle  such  murders  of  Christians  by  composition,  but 
rather  take  the  chance  to  fall  upon  them  tooth  and  nail.  For  this  purpose  we, 
provide  you  with  the  desired  saddles  and  ammunition  of  war,  as  the  enclosed' 
Invoices  show,  so  that  you  make  use  of  them  upon  this  or  other  occasions. 

At  your  Honors'  recommendation  we  have  engaged  here  Domine  Harmanus  Bloera 
who  now  goes  there  as  preacher  at  a  yearly  salary  of  six  hundred  guilders,  the. 
balance  up  to  one  thousand  or  twelve  hundred  guilders,  which  is  to  be  raised  by 
the  community,  must  not  be  counted  and  paid  to  him  by  them,  but  by  your 
Honors,  as  chief  magistrates,  for  reasons  which  yoiir  Honors  will  easily  compre- 
hend; the  proper  manner,  in  which  this  is  to  be  carried  out,  is  left  to  your  Honors' 
judgment.— Col.  Docs.  N.  T.  xiii.  129,  130. 

Letter  from  the  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  ;    

Rensselaerwyck  ;  Latin  Schoolmaster. 

December  22,   1659. 
Honorable,  Prudent,  Dear,  Faithful. 

It  has  never  been  our  intention,  that  officers  and  men  of  ships,  sailing  to  your 
ports,  should  be  allowed  to  trade  to  the  amount  of  two  months'  pay  without  paying 
duties;  nor  shall  we  allow  it  now,  because  we  have  seen  what  abuses  arise  from 
it,  permission  having  been  given  to  the  steward  and  cook  of  the  "  Trouw  "  to. 
bring  over  forty  beavers  and  thirty  two  deerskins,  worth  more  than  four  times' 
two  months'  pay.  It  is  a  bad  custom,  by  which  not  only  the  Company,  but  also 
all  honest  traders  suffer,  who  cannot  compete  against  such  hucksters  not  paying 
even  freight.  Therefore  it  must  be  abolished  completely  and  not  further  connived 
at  or  permitted;  such  merchandises,  taken  along  by  officers  and  sailors,  must  be 
seized  and  confiscated,  as  well  as  everything  else  not  entered  upon  our  bills  of 
lading  or  permits.  For  this  very  reason  we  have  here  refused  to  exempt  from 
the  payment  of  duty  the  beavers,  lately  brought  over  in  the  aforesaid  four  ships, 
partly   under  the   name   of   provisions   partly   otherwise   designated,    among   which 

are  found  to  belong  to  Paulus  Leendertsen,  ten  [beavers]  under  Domine 

Bloms  name. 


We  Intend,  to  send  over  two  or  three  young  preachers  on  the  same  conditions, 
as  Domine  Blom,  and  have  been  looking  about  for  them;  it  is  not  sufficient,  that 
they  lead  a  good  moral  life;  they  must  be  a  peaceable  and  moderate  temperament, 
which  depends  a  good  deal  on  the  place  of  their  studies;  and  not  be  infected  with 
scruples  about  unnecessary  forms,  which  cause  more  division,  than  edification.  The 
preachers  there,  Domines  Megapolensis  and  Drisius,  do  not  seem  to  be  free  from 
this  kind  of  leaven,  for  they  make  difficulties  in  regard  to  the  use  of  the  old  formula 
of  baptism  without  order  from  the  Classis  here,  pretending,  that  they  might  be 
accused  of  innovations,  although  the  name  of  innovators  could  be  better  applied 
to  those,  who  have  made  changes  in  it  without  the  order  of  the  Church  generally 
or  of  the  Classis.  The  most  moderate  preachers  here  understand  this  and  consider 
it  an  insignificant  ceremony,  which  may  be  performed  or  omitted  according  to  cir- 
cumstances and  without  hurting  one's  conscience.  We  had  expected,  that  the 
abovementioned  preachers  and  brothers  would  hold  the  same  opinion  after  our  too 
friendly  letter  to  them.  We  are  told,  it  is  true,  that  the  Lutherans  come  to  Church 
now,  and  that  everything  goes  on  quietly  and  peaceably,  but  care  must  be  taken, 
that  this  state  of  affairs  continue;  that  is  uncertain,  as  long  as  such  precise  forms 
and  offensive  expressions  are  not  avoided.  It  is  absolutely  necessary,  that  they  be 
avoided  in  a  Church,  which  is  so  weak  and  only  beginning  to  grow,  especially  when 
we  consider  the  difficulties,  liable  to  arise,  which  might  result  in  the  permission  to 
conduct  a  separate  divine  service  there;  for  the  Lutherans  would  very  easily  obtain 
the  consent  of  the  authorities  here  upon  a  complaint  and  we  would  have  no  means 
of  preventing  it.     We  find  it  therefore  highly  necessary  to  direct  herewith,   that 


OF  THE  State  of  IN^ew  York.  461 

you  communicate  all  this  to  the  aforesaid  preachers  there  and  seriously  admonish 
and  recommend  them  to  adopt  our  advice  and  use  the  old  formula  of  baptism 
without  waiting  for  further  orders  from  here.  That  will  allay  the  dissensions  in  the 
state  and  of  the  church  there. 

The  two  English  preachers,  for  whom  their  Reverences  have  asked  to  be  located 
in  the  English  villages  under  our  jurisdiction,  will  not  be  sent  for  the  present,  be- 
cause the  country,  from  which  they  must  come,  that  is  to  say,'  England,  is  now  very 
much  disturbed  not  only  in  her  political,  but  also  in  her  ecclesiastical  government 
and  therefore  it  is  dangerous.  We  shall  try  to  find  among  the  Dutch  candidates 
some,  who  know  enough  of  the  English  language  to  perform  the  service  in  both 
tongues. 

We  believe,  that  the  complaints  made  by  the  Latin  Schoolmaster  or  rector  about 
the  insufficiency  of  his  salary,  are  almost  answered  by  the  payment  of  all  salaries 
there  at  Holland  valuation,  as  now  ordered;  which,  with  what  he  receives  from  his 
pupils  every  year,  should  be  sufficient  to  support  him  decently,  as  long  as  he  re- 
mains a  single  man;  with  the  increase  of  young  people  in  the  school  his  income  will 
Increase  daily,  for  the  parents  of  his  pupils  will  not  hesitate  to  remunerate  him 
fairly,  if  he  does  his  duty.  You  can  assist  him  in  this  matter  according  to  cir- 
cumstances. 

The  medicinal  seeds,  for  which  you  asked,  to  propagate  them  there,  shall  be 
ordered  from  the  academical  garden  at  Leyden,  and  it  is  possible,  that  they  will 
be  sent  herewith. 


1660 


We  believe,  vre  have  now  answered  your  letters,  but  we  received  with  them  also 
a  letter  from  Domine  Drisius,  who  asks,  that  he  be  treated  in  regard  to  board, 
money  in  the  same  manner,  as  his  colleague,  Domine  Megapolensis,  because  he  too 
is  burdened  with  a  family.  We  are  of  opinion,  that  he  cannot  be  placed  in  the« 
same  category,  because  his  stepchildren*  have  undoubtedly  their  father's  property 
and  are  no  burden  to  him.  You  may  tell  him  so;  also  that  we  paid  to  Mr.  Edward 
Man  the  amount  of  his  statement  of  salary  earned,  but  we  do  not  intend  to  do  it 
henceforth  for  the  reasons  given  above;  let  everybody  govern  himself  accordingly. — 
Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  XIV.  448,  451,  452. 


Petitioj^  of  the  Minister  and  Ckurchmasters  of  Midwout 
for  Material  to  Paint  Their  Church. 

Noble,  Rigorous  and  Honorable  Gentlemen,  Honorable  Director  General  and  Gentle- 
men of  the  Council  in  New  Netherland. 

The  Church  edifice  at  Midwout  on  Long  Island,  begun  under  your  Honors'  direc- 
tion and  now,  with  God's  help,  nearly  completed,  requires  according  to  our  and' 
many  other  people's  opinion  a  coat  of  color  and  oil,  to  make  it  last  longer,  being 
covered  on  the  outside  mostly  with  boards;  these  materials  must  necessarily  bQ 
fetched  from  the  Fatherland,  and  we  request,  that  it  be  done  upon  your  Honors' 
order  and  recommendation  to  the  Honorable  Company.     Which  doing,  etc. 

Your  Honors'   humble  servants 

Johannes  Theodorus  Polhemlus,  Pr. 
This  20th  of  Jan  Strycker. 

December  1659, 
New  Amsterdam  in 
Ne^  Netherland.  * 

Having  received  and  read  the  foregoing  petition,  the  Council  decided:  The  re- 
quest shall  be  submitted  to  the  Lords  Directors  by  the  first  opportunity.  Date  as 
above  (January  23,  1660.)  —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv.  447,  448. 


*  Domine  Drisius  married  Lysbet,  the  widow  of  Isaac  de  Riemer,  the  daughter 
of  —  Grevenraedt,  in  1659.  Her  daughter  Margaret  became  the  wife  of  Cornelius 
Steenwyck  in  1658  and  after  his  death  was  married  to  Domine  Henricus  Selinus. 


1660 


462  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Call  of  a  Minister  to  "New  ISTetlierlaiid. 

1660,  Jan.  5tli, 

'Rev.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas,  in  order  to  give  information 
to  this  Assembly,  report,  that  at  their  urgent  request  for  an  in- 
crease of  ministers  in  'New  Netherland,  they  received  response 
from  the  Directors  here,  that  their  Honors  were  disposed  and  had 
resolved  to  send  one  more  minister  thither;  and  whereas,  they 
themselves  (the  Deputies)  had  heard  of  the  gifts  of  Rev.  Selyns, 
they  have  recommended  him,  but  only  so  far  as  still  to  leave 
everything  to  the  free  disposal  and  choice  of  the  Rev.  Classis. 

The  gentlemen  were  also  disposed  to  send  still  another  minister 
thither,  who  could  also  preach  in  the  English  language,  and  who 
would  conform  himself,  in  government,  with  these  churches;  and 
that  the  Classis  might  well  look  about  for  such  a  one  without  for 
the  present  fixing  upon  any  one;  whereupon  the  matter  of  the 
call  was  taken  in  hand. 

Rev.  Henricus  Selvns  Called  to  New  liTetherland. 

The  brethren  candidates  who  were  without  the  room,  having 
been  called  in,  viz..  Revs.  Paulus  Broeckhuyzen,  Christianus 
Coningsvelt,  Henricus  Selyns,  Amoldus  Bonzet,  Daniel  van  Swan- 
envelt,  Petrus  Pauw,  the  inclination  of  all  of  whom  to  serve  in 
that  church  had  been  ascertained;  of  these  were  nominated  Henri- 
cus Selyns,  Christianus  Coningsvelt,  and  Peter  Pauw;  and  of  these 
three  Henricus  Selyns  was  chosen  by  a  majority  of  votes;  the  ap- 
proval of  this  choice  shall  be  asked  (of  the  West  India  Company) 
by  the  Deputies  ad  causas  Indicas.  He  shall  be  examined,  to- 
gether with  Herm.  Bloem,  on  Feb.  16th,  Rev.  Mourcourtius  being 
Examiner;  the  text  Ephes.  2:8,  (By  grace  are  ye  saved  through 
faith;  and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God.)     This 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  463 

choice  was  announced  to  him,  (Selyns)  and  the  other  candidates 
were  encouraged  in  their  good  intention,  and  were  asked  if  any 
of  their  number  happened  to  have  the  faculty  of  preaching  in 
English.     They  all  declared  they  had  not  advanced  so  far. 

Preacher  in  the  English  Language  in  New  Netherland. 

And  as  regards  a  minister  who  can  preach  in  the  English  lan- 
guage, the  Deputies  were  charged  to  look  out  for  good  stuff,  and 
having  discovered  such,  to  communicate  with  the  Kev.  Classis,  in 
order  then  to  negotiate  further  with  the  Directors,  vi.  172.  xix. 
69,  60. 

Administrative  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

Petition  of  Herman  van  Hoboocken. 

1660,  January  16. 

M.  Hermen  van  Hooboocke  requests  by  petition,  that  he  may  receive  an  allowance 
from  the  City,  as  he  is  behind  hand  with  the  building  of  the  School,  and  for  divers 
other  reasons  set  forth  in  the  petition;  on  which  petition  is  apostilled:  —  Petitioner 
is  allowed  to  receive  his  current  year's  salary,  which  shall  be  paid  him  at  a  more 
convenient  season  on  an  Order  of  the  Burgomasters  on  the  Treasurer,  and  his  allow- 
ance henceforth  is  abolished. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  7.  p.  244. 

Petition  for  Land  on  Long  Iseand  and  Leave  to  Settle  a 
Town  "  Beyond  the  Hills  by  the  South  Sea  '',  (Jamaica, 
L.  L)  AND  Okdee  of  Council  Granting  it. 

To  the  right  ye  honnourable  lord  Stiversen  Lord  gennerall  of  the  New  Netherlands 
the  humble  petition  of  your  lordships  humble  petishoners:  In  as  much  as  we  haue 
had  experians  of  your  lordships  willingnes  to  forwarde  any  of  our  nation  that 
desyer  to  Hue  honnestly  and  peasably  by  giuinge  of  them  land  whereby  they  may 
comfortably  Hue:  we  therefore  are  bold  to  pettishion  to  your  lordships  for:  a  tracke 
of  land  lyinge  beyond  the  hills  by  the  southe  sea  which  we  suppose  will  be  con- 
venient for  the  setllnge  of  a  towne  without  any  predigis  to  your  lordshlpe;  it  is 
therefore  our  humble  request  to  your  lordshlpe  that  you  would  be  pleased  to  grant 
us  liberty  to  settell  thereon:  som  of  us  hauing  lined  thes  seauraii  years  in  your 
lordships  Jurisdiction  and  haue  neuer  had  any  land  giuen  us  but  we  haue  hired  land 
of  others  and  now  considerenge  if  we  doe  not  settell  ourselues  whilst  we  be  in  our 
strengthe  to  goe  through  our  labour;  whereby  we  may  gain  somethinge  to  keep  us 
in  our  agge  we  shall  be  rather  a  charge  than  a  beneflte  to  the  common wealthe: 
others  of  US  hauing  soe  little  not  sufficient  to  improue  for  the  use  of  our  familys. 
have  put  It  oft  to  others  that  haue  less  familys:  it  is  therefore  our  humble  request 
to  your  lordshlpe  to  grant  us  our  request  and  we  hope  we  indeuor  to  performe  your 
lordships  will  in  what  we  are  able;  if  your  lordshlpe  shall  be  pieassed  to  grant  it  to 
us  we  shall  God  willinge  settel  it  this  yeare  we  for  the  most  of  us  hauing  no  land 
to  improve:  other  ways  we  must  look  to  settel  ourselves  some  other  way  where  we 


1660 


1660 


464  Ecclesiastical  Records 

may  haue  land  to  Improue:  thus  seasing  to  truble  your  lorshipe  allso  hoping  you 

will  be  pleassed  to  glue  It  to  us  we  rest  your  lordships  humble  pettishonours  and 

loyall  subyects. 

Samuell  Coe 

John  Lawrenson 

James  Bradish 

John  Coe 

The  marke       R       of  Richard  Betts 

The  marke      &       of  Thomas  Roberts 

The  marke     ( — o     of  Samuel  Sallis 

Thms    i  s     Smit      his  marke 
Richard  Fido      his  marke 

Tho  Reade 
Nathaniel  Hassorde 
Joshuah  Hassorde 
Johathan  Hassorde 
Gershome  Hassorde 
(Rev.)  John  More 
Richard  G — inge 
Robert  Jackson 
Nicholas  Carter 
Hanrey  Vernen  (?) 

his  marke 

The  Governor  Generall  and  Counsell  of  the  New  Netherlands  doe  graunt  by  these 
presents  the  petitioners  to  settle  a  plantation  uppon  or  about  the  place  mentioned, 
uppon  such  conditions  and  freedoms  as  the  inhabitants  of  our  owne  Nation  in  this 
province  doe  Enjoye,  proveyded  that  the  petitioners  and  theyre  adsosiates  for  theyre 
own  Safety  and  common  good  doe  Settle  theyre  house  Lots  Soo  cloose  as  the  con- 
veniency  of  the  place  and  Generall  order  shall  admitt. 

Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  February  4,  Anno  1660. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
xiv.  456. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Eev.  Blom  &  Eev.  Selyns 

Ordained  as  Ministers  for  'New  iN'etherland. 

j  1660,  Feb.  16tli. 

Inasmuch  as  Daniel  Beukelaers  had  been  permitted  to  take  bis 
preparatory  examination,  provided  that  before  it  began  he  should 
hand  in  the  testimonials  required  therefor,  these  were  now 
demanded  of  him.  These  having  been  read  they  satisfied  the 
Assembly,  and  he  was  admitted  to  examination  at  the  same  time 
with  the  two  others.  After  Rev.  Hermanns  Bloem  had  preached 
on  1  John  5:7,  and  Rev:  Henricus  Selyns  on  Ephes.  2:8,  and' 

Rev.  Daniel  Beukelaer  on they  gave  satisfaction,  and 

thereupon  the  examination  was  proceeded  with.     In  this  they 
satisfied  the  Assembly,  so  that  Rev.  Bloem  and  Rev.  Selyns  were 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  465 

admitted  to  the  highly  honorable  preachers  office  for  'New  ISTether- 
land,  with  the  prayer  for  the  Lord's  blessing  upon  them;  and 
Kev.  Beiikelaer  to  the  public  candidateship.  All  three  signed  the 
usual  formulae;  and  Kev.  Bloem  and  Eev.  Selyns  were  ordained 
to  the  ministry  with  the  laying  on  of  hands,  by  the  President  for 
the  time  being,  of  this  Assembly,    vi.  176 ;  xix.  60. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence.  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  to  Rev.  Hermanns  Blom,  Feb.  16,  1660.  Certifi- 
cate of  his  Ordination.     See  also  Doc.  Hist.  E".  Y.  iii.  581. 

Whereas  it  is  indispensably  required,  that  the  honor  of  God 
and  the  salvation  of  men  be  promoted  to  the  best  of  our  abilities, 
and  for  this  end  religious  meetings  ought  to  be  instituted  and 
encouraged  by  the  pure  preaching  of  the  Word  of  God,  the  lawful 
administration  of  the  Sacraments,  the  public  invocation  of  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  and  Avhat  further  is  belonging  to  the  dutiful 
worship;  and  whereas  the  situation  of  Esopus  in  New  l!^ether- 
land  requires,  that  a  duly  qualified  person,  be  sent  thither  as  a 
lawfully  ordained  minister,  who  can  execute  there  the  ministerial 
functions  in  every  particular  part  in  conformity  to  the  church 
government  and  the  Word  of  God,  and  in  unison  with  the  laud- 
able usages  of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  this  country  and  who 
is  able  to  maintain  and  defend  these.  Therefore,  we,  the  minis- 
ters of  the  Word  of  God  and  elders  of  the  congregations  of  Christ, 
belonging  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  after  the  invocation  of 
the  name  of  God,  and  in  his  fear,  with  the  approbation  of  the 
noble  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  after  a  faithful 
examination  in  the  principal  doctrines  of  the  Christian  Reformed 
Church  — •  and  after  having  received  satisfactory  evidence  of  the 
pious  life  and  requisite  talents  for  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel, 
and  after  he  signed  the  ^N'etherlands  Confession,  the  Christian 
Catechism  and  Canons  of  the  National  Synod,  havfe  ordained  the 
Reverend,  pious,  prudent  and  learned  minister  Hermanns  Blom 
with  the  solemn  imposition  of  hands,  to  preach  there,  both  on 

30 


1660 


1660 


466  Ecclesiastical  Recobds 

water  and  on  the  land  and  in  all  the  neighborhood,  but  principally 
in  Esopus,  the  holy  and  the  only  saving  doctrine  of  the  Word  of 
God  in  its  purity,  to  administer  the  Sacraments  agreeably  to 
Christ^s  institution,  with  propriety  to  give  an  example  to  his  con- 
gregation of  public  prayers,  to  keep  them  with  the  aid  of  his 
consistory  in  a  good  discipline  and  order,  all  in  conformity  to  the 
Word  of  God  and  the  formularies  of  the  ISTetherland  Churches 
and  the  Christian  Catechism,  soliciting  all  our  brethren  to  accept 
him  as  a  laT^^ul  brother,  and  lawfully  called  minister  of  the  Gos-, 
pel  of  Christ,  to  honor  him  for  the  sake  of  his  ministry,  and  to 
assist  him  w^henever  it  is  in  their  power,  so  that  he  may  officiate 
unmolested  and  cheerfully,  to  glorify  God's  name  and  the  con- 
version and  salvation  of  souls. 

The  Almighty  God,  who  has  called  this  minister  to  the  service 
of  his  church  enrich  him  more  and  more  with  all  talents  and 
the  blessings  of  his  Holy  Ghost,  so  that  his  labors  may  be  crowned 
with  abundant  success,  to  the  glory  of  his  name,  and  salvation 
of  men,  and  reward  and  adorn  him,  at  the  appearance  of  the  great 
Shepherd  of  Sheep  with  the  never  fading  crown  of  eternal  glory. 

Done  in  a  Classical  meeting  in  Amsterdam  Eeb.  16,  1660. 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  all 

.(was  signed) 

Petrus  Proeleus,  Eccles. 

Amstelodamensis,  et  De 

putatorum  ad  cans  as  In- 

dicas  P^  scriba. 

1660,  Feb.  16th. 

The  call  of  the  Eev.  Selyns  to  Brooklyn,  by  Rev.  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam, with  the  approbation  of  the  Directors  of  the  Chamber  of 
Amsterdam,  of  the  "West  India  Company. 

As  it  is  necessary  that  all  means  should  be  employed  for  the 
promotion  of  the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  men,  and  to 
that  end,  religious  public  assemblies  and  worship  must  be  recog- 


OF  THE  State  of  ITew  Yoek.  467 

nized  and  observed,  with  the  pure  preaching  of  the  "Word,  the 
lawful  administration  of  the  sacraments,  and  the  public  calling 
upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  whatever  else  belongs  to  well 
ordered  worship:  and  inasmuch  as,  the  circumstances  of  Brooklyn 
in  jSTew  ISTetherland,  requires  that  a  duly  qualified  person  should 
be  sent  thither,  to  discharge  all  the  duties  of  the  ministry,  accord- 
ing to  the  standard,  government  and  customs  of  the  church  here: 
Therefore  we,  the  Ministers  of  the  Word  of  God  and  Elders  of 
the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  belonging  to  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam, after  calling  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  with  the  appro- 
bation of  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  instituted 
suitable  examinations  on  the  principal  heads  of  christian  doctrine ; 
and  finding  sufficient  evidence  of  godliness  of  life,  and  discover- 
ing the  necessary  and  proper  gifts  for  ministerial  work,  and  after 
subscription  by  him  to  the  Netherlands  Confession  of  Faith,  the 
Heidelberg  Catechism,  and  the  Canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dort, 
have,  with  the  solemn  laying  on  of  hands,  authorized  and  invested, 
and  do  hereby  authorize  and  invest,  the  Rev.  pious,  prudent  and 
learned  Henry  Selyns,  to  preach  the  entire  and  saving  Word  of 
God,  whether  on  water  or  on  land,  on  his  way  thither,  and  especi- 
ally when  he  shall  have  arrived  at  his  place  of  destination;  to 
administer  Sacraments  according  to  the  institution  of  Christ;  to 
lead  in  the  public  prayers  of  the  congregation;  and  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  officers  of  the  church,  to  preserve  discipline  and 
order;  all  in  conformity  with  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the 
^N'etherlands  church  and  the  Heidelberg  Catechism.  We  request 
all  to  whom  our  brother  may  come,  to  acknowledge  him  as  a  law- 
fully called  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  esteem  him  highly  in  love 
for  his  works'  sake,  to  aid  him  as  far  as  may  be  in  their  power, 
that  he  may  prosecute  his  work  without  hinder ance;  and  with  joy, 
to  the  glory  of  God's  holy  name,  and  the  conversion  and  salvation 
of  souls. 

May  Almighty  God,  who  has  called  this  brother  to  the  holy 
ministry,  increasingly  enrich  him  %\dth  all  necessary  gifts,  abun- 


1660 


1660 


468  Ecclesiastical  Records 

dantly  bless  his  labors  in  the  conversion  of  mnltitudes,  and  award 
to  him,  when  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  Sheep  shall  appear,  the 
unfading  crown  of  eternal  glory. 

Done  in  our  meeting  of  Classis  at  Amsterdam,  Eeb.  16,  1660 
In  the  name,  and  bv  order  of  the  Classis. 

Signed  Petrus    Plairenis,    Ecc.    Amstel    et 

Deputatorum  ad  res  Indicas,  p.  t. 
scriba. 
Samuel  Coop  a  Groen,  Ecc.  Amstel. 
et  Classis  p.  t.  Deputatus. 

Lucas  Van  ^oort,  Ecc.  in ...  . 

p.  t.  ad  causas  Indicas  Deputatus. 

(On  another  copy,  the  signatures  to  the  Call  are  Joannes  de 
Moncourt,  President  of  Classis,  and  Examiner;  and  Cornelius 
Cosijus,  Secretary,  protem.) 

Endorsed  as  follows :  '^  The  within  act  of  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam was  approved  by  the  Directors  of  the  Chartered  West  India 
Company,  by  the  Chamber  here.  Mar.  26,  1660  ''. 

David  Van  Baerle. 

Edward  Maun. 

Peoclamatio]^  Eebruaey  23,  1660,  Appointii^g  a  Day  of  Gen"- 

ERAL  EaSTIISTG  AND  PrAYER,   FOR  ILlRCH   24tH. 

Respected,  Dear,  Faithful.  Whereas  it  has  pleased  the  Almighty  God,  the  just 
Judge  of  heaven  and  the  whole  earth,  to  visit  us,  or  at  least  many  of  us,  justly  for 
our  sins,  the  cause  of  all  punishment,  with  hot  fevers,  heavy  colds,  giddiness  of  the 
head  any  many  other  diseases,  the  province  in  general  with  threatened  invasions 
and  attacks  by  our  neighbors  on  the  territories,  streams  and  rivers,  long  possessed 
by  us,  with  rumors  of  war  and  its  immediate  consequences,  murder  and  arson  by 
the  savage  barbarous  natives  committed  here  as  well  as  principally  on  our  friends, 
countrymen  and  fellow-inhabitants  on  the  Esopus,  which  though  the  righteous  but 
not  less  merciful  God  has  mitigated  and  so  directed,  that  it  did  not  happen,  against 
our  expectation,  in  the  worst  manner  and  according  to  the  evil  intentions  of  the 
barbarians  and  has  made  it  cease  for  the  present  desiring  doubtless  our  penitence 
and  turning  away  from  our  crying  and  God  irritating  sins,  as  the  abominable  dese- 
cration of  his  Sabbath  and  His  Name  by  swearing  and  cursing,  our  indifference 
and  negligence  regarding  his  service,  our  drunkenness,  feasting,  voluptuousness, 
adultery,  deception  and  other  heinous  sins,  which  prevail  among  us  to  our  shame 
before  Christian  neighbors  and  barbarous  natives,  from  which  if  we  do  not  turn 
away,  we  can  only  expect,  that  like  others  we  shall  perish  and  that  not  the  tower 
of  Siloa  but  the  wrath*  of  God  will  fall  upon  us  from  heaven  and  envelop  us  in* 


or  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  469 

flames  for  our  greater  punishment,  if  we  do  not  change  to  prevent  one  and  obtain 
the  other  from  the  All-Good  God,  Therefore,  the  Director  General  and  Council  have 
thought  necessary  to  appoint  and  proclaim  for  this  purpose  a  day  of  general  fasting 
and  prayer,  which  shall  be  kept  throughout  this  province  on  Wednesday  before 
Easter,  being  the  24th  of  March,  and  all  inhabitants  of  this  province,  officers  as 
well  as  subjects  are  hereby  directed  to  appear  on  the  aforesaid  day  in  the  churches 
or  where  God's  Word  is  usually  preached  and  taught,  and  after  listening  to  God's 
Holy  Words  to  call  with  humble  and  contrite  hearts  solemnly  upon  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  to  pray  and  beseech  Him  that  his  divine  Majesty  may  please,  to  turn  aside 
his  righteous  visitations  and  well-deserved  punishments  which  our  crying  and  dread- 
ful sins  have  brought  upon  us,  and  to  make  them  cease,  to  continue  the  peace  and 
good  correspondence  between  us  and  our  neighbors,  to  take  us  and  this  newly 
opened  province  into  his  fatherly  protection  and  to  maintain  It  against  the  practices 
of  these  barbarous  natives  and  all  evil  minded  people,  who  attempt  Its  ruin  and 
destruction,  to  bless  the  fruits  of  the  earth  with  early  and  late  rains  and  above  all 
to  allow  the  fear  and  knowledge  of  His  Name  and  hate  of  our  own  sins  to  grow  and 
to  increase  among  us,  principally  also  that  His  Divine  Majesty  will  please  to  favor 
the  authorities  of  this  country  with  understanding,  wisdom,  discretion  and  godli- 
ness, that  they  may  contemplate,  resolve  and  courageously  carry  out  what  may  be 
useful  for  the  welfare  of  the  country  and  the  well-being  of  its  good  inhabitants. 
That  this  may  be  done  and  executed  so  much  better,  the  Director  General  and' 
Council  forbid  during  divine  service  on  the  aforesaid  day  of  general  fasting  and 
prayer  all  exercises  of  playing  tennis  or  ball,  hunting,  fishing,  driving,  ploughing, 
sowing,  mowing,  all  illicit  amusements  as  dicing  and  hard  drinking  under  the  pen^ 
alty  formerly  imposed  thereon  and  the  servants  of  God's  Holy  Word  within  this 
our  Government  are  requested,  to  adapt  their  sermons  and  prayers  accordingly. 
Thus  done  at  the  meeting  of  the  Right  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council, 
held  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  the  23rd  of  February  Anno  1660. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  144,  145. 

*  In  the  original:    "  de  tooren  van  Siloa,  maer  de  toorne  Godts  ",  a  play  of  words, 
which  cannot  be  rendered  into  English^ 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence.  Meeting  of 
March  1,  1660.  Copy  of  the  response,  written  March  1,  1660, 
to  the  Rev.  Consistories  in  ISTew  JSTetherland,  and  sent  with 
E-evs.  Herman  Blom  and  Henry  Selyns,  traveling  thither  as 
ministers,    xx.  408-410. 

Reverend,  Godly,  Very  Learned  Brethren  and  Co-workers  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord : — 

Yours  of  Sept.  24,  1658,  as  also  of  Sept.  10,  1659,  have  come 
safely  to  hand,  shomng  especially  your  joy  at  the  favorable  an- 
swers given  by  the  Honorable  XIX  to  our  requests.  They  ex- 
hibited also  a  grateful  appreciation  of  the  diligence  used  by  us 
(the  Classis)  respecting  those  things  which  pertain  to  the  best 
interests  of  God's  church  in  your  regions,  and  of  our  desire  for 


1660 


1660 


470  Ecclesiastical  Records 

the  peace  of  the  same.  TVe  very  gladly  took  the  trouble,  even 
as  at  no  time  have  we  failed  to  make  efforts  at  your  expressed 
desires,  and  according  to  your  vn-itten  requests,  to  secure  from 
the  said  Hon.  Gentlemen,  the  sending,  provisionally,  of  two  min- 
isters to  the  new  German  (Dutch)  villages.  Their  excellencies 
kindly  granted  our  requests.  Thereupon  the  Rev.  Classis  legally 
called  Rev.  Herman  Blom,  who  came  over  in  the  previous  year 
with  your  recommendation,  for  settlement  at  Esopus;  and  the 
Rev.  Henry  Selyns,  to  supply  Brooklyn.  After  proper  exami- 
nation and  ordination,  these  two  individuals  are  sent  over  to  you, 
as  will  appear  more  at  length  from  their  letters  of  commission. 

Also  for  the  reasons  mentioned  in  vour  communications,  we 
have  requested  letters  for  the  English  villages.  Their  Honors 
gave  their  consent  that  we  should  look  about  for  a  proper  person, 
free  from  Independent  and  other  !N^ew  England  notions,  as  their 
Honors  have  understood  that  such  a  person  might  do  great  harm 
there.  The  Rev.  Classis  has  accordingly  charged  us  to  inquire 
for  a  proper  person.  In  this  undertaking  we  are  now  occupied, 
and  hope  ere  long  to  find  some  one,  satisfactory  to  the  Hon. 
Directors  and  to  yourselves,  who  may  (in  the  English  tongue) 
ably  edify  the  church  of  God,  in  your  regions,  through  his  grace. 

Concerning  the  Quakers,  Lutherans  and  other  sectaries,  their 
Honors  asserted,  that  from  the  beginning,  they  had  established 
the  rule,  that  only  the  Reformed  Religion  should  be  exercised 
within  your  province.  Moreover,  as  far  as  regards  their  Honors' 
intention,  the  Director-General  was  very  favorably  disposed 
thereto,  and  has  shown  himself  very  vigilant  in  that  work,  and 
their  Honors  would  not  be  backward  in  promoting  the  success 
of  the  same.  Wherefore  we  feel  at  rest  on  that  point,  although 
John  Gutwasser  had  already  arrived,  in  good  health,  in  your  coun- 
try. For  all  this,  the  Rev.  Classis  rejoiced,  and  thanked  the 
Hon.  Directors,  while  your  measures,  taken  in  this  matter,  are 
commended.     We  request  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  return  our 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  471 

1660 

cordial  thanks  to  Hon.  Director-General  Stuyvesant,  for  his  emi- 
nent zeal  in  this  whole  affair. 

It  was  further  added  by  their  Honors,  that  they  would  gladly 
see  some  moderation  and  laxity  allowed  on  your  part,  in  certain 
phrases,  in  the  Formula  of  Baptism,  etc.  This,  in  their  Honors 
opinion,  might  be  productive  of  much  good  in  your  locality.  But 
we  defended  you,  before  their  Honors,  with  all  our  might,  in 
accordance  ^\'ith  the  explanations  you  made,  against  the  alleged 
false  accusations  of  the  Lutherans ;  and  as  in  respect  to  the  altera- 
tion in  the  words  of  the  usual  Form  of  Baptism,  you  have  ex- 
pressed your  determination  to  consult  our  Kev.  Classis;  so  vv^e 
consider  that  you  have,  for  weighty  reasons,  properly  held  your- 
selves to  it  hitherto;  and  it  has  been  thought  advisable  earnestly 
to  admonish  you  not  to  depart  from  the  usual  Forms.  Finally, 
their  Honors  expressed  their  dissatisfaction  at  the  infrequent  cor- 
respondence of  the  church  in  'New  Netherland  mth  their  Honors. 
They  strongly  insisted  on  reading  your  letters  sent  to  us.  These 
were  therefore  handed  over  to  their  Honors,  after  pre^dous  com- 
munication and  consent  of  the  Rev.  Classis. 

Our  meeting  has  also  agTeed  to  recommend  you  to  correspond 
more  frequently  with  their  Honors,  as  occasion  may  serve,  to 
their  Honors'  great  satisfaction.  This  will  be  useful,  as  then  we 
will  not  be  compelled,  as  previously,  to  hand  over  to  their  Hon- 
ors, your  letters  addressed  to  us. 

We  have  latelv  learned,  to  our  sorrow,  of  the  unfortunate 
decease  of  Rev.  Mr.  Welius  at  New  Amstel.  We  will  see  what 
the  Rev.  Classis  will  deem  advisable  for  the  interests  of  that 
place.  Rev.  Adrian  Wardmond,  having  received  a  call  as  pastor 
to  Curacoa,  was  finally  examined  for  ordination  on  Feb.  3,  1659, 
and  thereupon  was  ordained  to  his  office,  and  subsequently  de- 
parted for  that  place.  Concerning  the  business  of  Rev.  Mr.  Pol- 
hemus,  we  will,  at  the  earliest  opportunity  write  to  his  Rev.  more 
particularly. 

In  expectation  then,  of  further  correspondence,  we  commend 


1660 


472  Ecclesiastical  Records 

TOiir  Reverences,  godly,  provident,  very  learned  gentlemen  and 

brethren,  to  our  God  and  the  word  of  his  grace. 

Done  in  our  meeting  of  Deputies  on  the  Affairs  of  the  Colonial 

Church,  llarch  1,  1660,  and  signed  in  behalf  of,  and  by  order  of 

their  Reverences,  as  clerk, 

Peter  Proelius,  Ecc.  Amstel. 

Ecclesiastical  Testimonial  to  Selyns. 

1660,  March  11th. 

We  the  ministers  and  elders  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ, 
at  Amsterdam,  hereby  testify  that  the  Rev.  pious  and  learned 
Domine  Henry  Selyns,  who  has  been  chosen  minister  of  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  at  Brooklyn,  in  I^ew  Xetherland,  is  a 
member  of  the  true  Reformed  Christian  Church.  During  the 
time  he  has  sojourned  among  us  (at  ^ew  Amsterdam),  he  has 
not  only  diligently  attended  the  public  means  of  grace,  for  the 
promotion  of  his  own  salvation,  but  he  has  frequently  preached 
with  much  acceptance,  and  to  the  edification  of  our  church.  He 
has  also,  so  far  as  is  to  us  known,  lived  a  pious  and  exemplary 
life.  Wherefore  we  request  all  our  Rev.  brethren  and  officers 
of  the  church  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  this  testimonial  may 
be  exhibited,  to  receive  him  with  all  christian  affection.  We 
wish,  in  behalf  of  our  Rev.  brother,  a  speedy  and  prosperous 
voyage,  and  a  rich  divine  blessing  upon  his  ministry,  to  the  honor 
of  the  divine  name,  and  the  extention  of  the  kingdoro.  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

Done  in  our  ecclesiastical  meeting,  March  11,  1660. 
In  the  name  and  by  order  of  all, 

Johannes  Rulaeus,  Ecc.  Amstel. 
et.  p.  t.  Synedrii  scriba. 

(On  the  back  of  Selyns's  call  was  written,  "  The  within  act 
of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  is  approved  by  the  West  India  Com- 
pany, this  26th" 

David  Van  Baerle. 
Edward  Mann.) 


OF  THE  State  of  E^ew  Yokk.  473 


Letter  from  the  Directors  in  Holland  to  Stuyvesant.  Rev. 
Harmanus  Blom  Returns  to  E'ew  Netherland  to  Take 
Charge  of  the  Congregation  at  Esopus. 

;  The  29th  March,  1660. 

Honorable,  Prudent,  Beloved,  Faithful.  We  forgot  in  our  last  letter,  a  copy  of 
which  is  here  enclosed,  to  mention  the  engagement  here  of  another  preacher,  be- 
sides Domine  Blom  (who  has  been  married  here),  called  Domine  Henricus  Selyns 
under  the  same  salary  and  conditions;  they  both  go  over  in  the  ship  "  de  Bever  ", 
the  first  to  take  charge  of  the  ministry  at  the  Esopus,  the  other  in  the  village  of 
Breuckelen.  To  carry  on  the  service  some  books  are  sent  over,  which  your  Honors 
will  hand  to  them,  besides  the  small  psalters,  prayers  and  catechisms,  to  be  dis- 
tributed and  used  as  proper  under  the  community  in  each  respective  place  for 
teaching.  Closing  herewith,  as  the  time  does  not  permit  to  write  more,  Honorable, 
Prudent,  Beloved,  Faithful,  we  commend  your  Honors  to  the  protection  of  God. 

By  order  of  the  Lords  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  Department  of 
Amsterdam. 

Amsterdam,  29th  March  1660. 

To  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland.  Received  by  "  de 
vergulde  Bever  "  arrived  11th  June  1660.—  Col._  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  155. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
'New  Netlierland,  (Death  of  Welius) 

1660,  April  5th. 

Rev.  Koop  a  Green  submits  that  another  person  should  be  sent 
to  JSTew  Netherland  in  place  of  Rev.  Welius;  but  it  is  not  yet 
known  who  shall  send  him,  whether  the  city  or  the  Company, 
vi.  178.     xix.   60. 

(The  City  of  Amsterdam  had  owned  the  Colony  on  the  Dela- 
ware from  1656.) 

Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Gravesend  for  the  Appoint- 
ment OF  A  Clergyman  and  Answer  Thereto. 

To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council  residing 
at  New  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland.  Some  of  the  undersigned  inhabitants  of 
the  village  of  Gravesend,  your  Honors'  subjects,  very  respectfully  show  the 
licentious  mode  of  living,  the  desecration  of  the  Sabbath,  the  confusion  of  religious 
opinion  prevalent  in  this  village,  so  that  many  have  grown  cold  in  the  exercise  of 
Christian  virtues  and  almost  surpass  the  heathens,  who  have  no  knowledge  of  God 
and  his  commandments:  the  words  of  the  wise  King  Solomon  are  applicable  here, 
that  where  prophecy  ceases,  the  people  grow  savage  and  licentious;  and  as  the  fear 
of  the  Lord  alone  holds  out  promises  of  temporal  and  eternal  blessings,  and  as  we, 
your  petitioners,  to  our  sorrow  and  constant  regret,  see  no  means,  by  which  to 
make  a  change  for  the  better,   we  have  concluded,   to  address  ourselves  to  your 


1660 


1660 


474  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

Honors,  as  being  the  only  hope  for  us  and  the  well  being  of  this  community,  and 
humbly  and  respectfully  to  ask  and  to  pray,  that  a  preacher  or  pastor  be  sent  here, 
that  then  the  glory  of  God  may  be  spread,  the  ignorant  taught,  the  simple  and 
Innocent  strengthened  and  the  licentious  refrained.  Then  we  shall  be  able  to  live 
in  greater  peace  and  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  under  your  Honors'  wise  administration 
and  government;  whereupon  relying  we  await  your  Honors'  favorable  reply  and  so 
doing  etc. 

Jan  Jansen  Verryn 
Karsten  Jansen 
This  mark  +   is  made 
by  E.  BenonI? 
Karsten  Jacobsen 
Jan  Bomess 
The  marks  +-  J  Kim  made  by  Anthony 

Jansen  and  his  brother-in-law  Jan  Emans 
The  mark  M  made  by  Sarles  Morgan  the  Schout 

Lieutenant  Nicholas  Stillwell 
The  mark   i^     made  by  Louris  Pittersen. 
April  12,  1660.— Col.   Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  460. 

Lettee  feom   the   Dieectoes   in   Holland   to   Stuy^t:sant: 
Cleegymen  ant>  Chuech  Aefaies  ;  Sheeiff  of  ^ew  Amstee- 

DAM. 
j  April  16,  1660. 

Honorable,  Prudent,  Pious,  Dear,  Faithful.  "We  informed  you  briefly,  by  the 
"  Bever  ",  by  which  we  sent  a  duplicate  of  our  last  letter,  that  besides  the  two 
preachers  Domines  Bloom  and  Selyns,  also  some  books  were  sent,  which  were  to  be 
given  to  and  used  by  them  for  the  public  service;  this  must  be  strictly  adhered  to. 
Before  their  departure  we  have  sounded  both  the  preachers  concerning  the  old' 
formula  of  baptism,  to  discover,  whether  they  would  make  difliculties  about  using 
it;  but  they  answered  negatively,  considering  it  a  matter  of  no  importance  and 
engaged  themselves  to  make  use  of  it  in  the  exercise  of  their  clerical  duties.  You 
will  find  therefore  the  old  formula  in  both  the  testaments  in  4to,  which  we  send, 
placed  in  its  proper  place  in  the  appendix,  also  in  the  Psalm  books  in  8°  and 
12°,  printed  with  notes,  to  be  given  to  Domines  Megapolensis  and  Drisius,  that  they 
too  may  use  it  at  the  proper  occasions  and  carry  out  our  good  intentions  and  wishes, 
which  they  must  not  oppose;  for  it  would  displease  us  on  account  of  the  loss  and 
injury  to  the  province  and  the  church  there.  We  told  you  this  before  and  refer  to 
our  former  letter  for  brevity's  sake. 


As  we  are  told,  that  Eector  Curtius  practices  medicine  there  and  therefore  asked 
to  have  a  herbarium  sent  to  him,  we  have  been  willing  to  provide  him  with  one 
herewith;  you  will  hand  it  to  him  with  the  understanding,  that  it  shall  not  cease 
to  be  property  of  the  Company;  likewise  the  books  sent  with  and  for  the  above- 
mentioned  clergymen.  You  will  make  a  note  of  this,  that  it  may  not  be  forgotten. 
Herewith  etc.,  etc. 

Your  good  friends. 

The  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company 
Department  of  Amsterdam. 

Abr.  Wilmerdonck 
C.  Burgh. 
To  the  Director  General  and  Council  in  New  Netherland. 
Amsterdam,  April  16,  1660.—  CoL  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  461,  462. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  ^  475 

Letter   from   Stutvesant   to   the   Directors   in   Holland: 
Blom  —  The  Preachers  ; —  Form  of  Baptism. 


The  beavers  of  Peter  Tonneman,  one  hundred  and  six  pieces  belonging  to  Baltha- 
zar and  Nicolas  Bayard,  both  clerks  in  the  Secretary's  office  and  to  Nicolas  Varlet, 
Commissary  of  the  Warehouse,  had  been  given  them  on  account  of  their  earned 
salary  and  the  payment  of  duties  had  therefore  been  referred  to  your  Honors'  dis- 
cretion and  approval.  As  to  the  beavers  of  Councillor  de  Decker  and  Domine  Blom, 
the  one  ex  merito,  the  other  ex  gratia  hoping  to  receive  some  favor  from  you,  re- 
quested to  be  exempted  here  from  the  payment  of  duties,  which  out  of  consideration 
we  granted,  but  only  subject  to  your  approval.  We  shall  henceforth  strictly  obey 
your  orders  in  this  I'espect. 


We  arc  sorry,  that  your  Honors  are  so  displeased,  as  your  expressions  make  us 
presume,  with  the  preachers  here,  whose  zeal  in  teaching,  admonishing  and  punish- 
ing, whose  peaceable,  and  edifying  life  and  conduct,  agreeable  not  only  to  ourselves, 
but  also  to  the  whole  community,  compels  them  and  us  to  pray,  that  God  may  give 
them  long  life  for  the  best  of  his  infant  Church  here  and  to  assure  your  Honors, 
that  neither  of  them  can  be  suspected  of  any  leaven  of  innovation  or  turbulence. 
In  consideration  hereof,  we  have  so  far  withheld  your  expressions  and  shall  con- 
tinue to  do  so,  in  order  not  to  discourage  them  in  their  good  and  faithful  service. 
We  shall  however,  not  fail,  to  communicate  to  them  your  wishes,  while  it  would 
help  much  in  observing  and  carrying  out  your  orders,  if  some  psalm  books  or  special 
liturgies  of  the  Reformed  Church  or  formularities  of  baptism  could  be  found  some- 
where and  be  sent  over,  in  which  the  words  *'  here  present  "  are  not  used. 


Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  April  21,  1660.—  Col.  Doc.  N.  Y.  xiv.  467. 
469,  472. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

!N'ew  JSTetlierland.     (New  Ainstel.) 

,  1660,  Mav  4th. 

On  the  representation  of  Eev.  Koop  a  Groen,  as  to  filling  the 
place  of  Eev.  Weliiis  in  New  Netherland,  it  was  resolved  that 
Rev.  Depntati  ad  cansas  Indicas,  shall  make  further  inquiry  there- 
about,    vi.  181 ;  xix.  60. 

Council  Minute.     Church  at  Midwout. 

Petition  of  Auke  Jans  for  payment  for  his  work  on  the  Church  at  Midwout. 


Tuesday  May  11,  1660. 
Present  the  Director  General,  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  and  Councillor  Nicasius  de  Sille. 
To  the  Very  Worshipful,  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Nether- 


land. 


Shows  with  due  respect  Auke  Jansen,  carpenter  on  Long  Island,  that  he  agreed 
with  Domine  Polhemius  and  Jan  Strycker  to  build  pursuant  to  the  accompanying 
plan  a  church  at  Midwout  on  Long  Island,  which  work  he  has  not  only  completed 


1660 


1660 


476  Ecclesiastical  Records 

In  accordance  with  the  said  plan,  but  by  order  of  the  aforesaid  he  has  done  also 

some  other  outside  work,  not  covered  by  the  plan;  and  whereas  his  employers  now 

fall  to  pay  to  petitioner  his  well   earned  wages  under  various  frivolous  pretexts, 

whereby   they   excessively   wrong  your   petitioner,    burdened   with   a   large   family. 

Therefore  he  Is  compelled  to  turn  to  your  Honors,  humbly  praying  and  asking,  that 

expert  arbitrators  be  appointed,   to  hear  your  petitioner  and  the  other  parties  in 

this  case  and,  If  possible,  bring  about  an  agreement  on  the  account  and  payment; 

If  not,  to  report  to  your  Honors,   that  the  matter  be  settled,   as  It  ought  to  be. 

Awaiting  your  Honors'  favorable  reply  he  remains, 

Your  Honors'  obedient  servant, 

Auke  Jans. 
It  was  answered: 

The  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  requests,  appoint  and  au- 
thorize herewith  Abraham  Martensen  Clock  and  Frederick  Philipsen,  carpenters,  to 
proceed,  pursuant  to  the  petitioner's  prayer,  to  the  village  of  Midwout,  to  inspect 
the  work,  spoken  of  in  the  petition,  and  to  examine,  what  the  petitioner  did  more, 
than  was  called  for  by  the  plan  and  how  he  did  it.  They  are  then  to  appraise  the 
pay,  earned  by  the  petitioner,  and  make  a  full  report  of  their  proceeding  to  us. 

Amsterdam  In  New  Netherland,  date  as  above. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  473,  474. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

'New  Netherland. 
;  1660,  June  1st. 

Revs.  Deputati  ad  oaiisas  Indicas  report  in  regard  to  the  sub- 
ject of  New  l^etherland,  that  they  had  made  inquiries  in  regard 
•to  it  of  the  Directors,  who  had  offered  that  the  Burgomasters 
ehould  take  the  place  again  under  their  care;  but  as  yet  the  Bur- 
gomasters have  not  been  able  to  make  up  their  mind  thereto;  but 
they  expect  thence  very  soon  a  certain  person  whom  they  firsi; 
wish  to  hear  in  regard  to  it,  and  will  then  further  discuss  the 
Matter.  The  result  of  this  will  be  awaited,  and  the  Deputati  ad 
causas  shall  inquire  about  it  in  due  time.    vi.  186 ;  xix.  61. 

Questions  before  Baptism  in  New  ISTetherland. 

1660,  June  1st. 

Rev.  Yinckius  states  that  he  has  been  informed  that  the 
Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  desire  a  change  in  the  form 
of  questions  in  the  administration  of  Sacred  Baptism.  To  this 
end  having  already  caused  Forms  to  be  printed,  in  which  the 
word  "  Here  "  (Alhier)  is  left  out,  (as  taught  here  in  this  Chris- 
tian Church)  and  want  the  same  to  be  used  in  this  shape  in  New 
Netherland.  Revs.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  were  enjoined  to 
make  inquiry  concerning  the  same.    vi.  187;  xix.  61. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  47Y 

Council  Minute.     Church  Matters  in  Brooklyn. 

July  5th,  1660. 


1660 


Present  his  Honor,  the  Director  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  and  the  Councillors 
Nlcaslus  de  SUle  and  Johan  de  Deckere. 

Before  the  Council  appeared  Jorls  Dlrck  and  Joris  Rapallje,  Magistrates  of  the 
village  of  Breuckelen  on  Long  Island  and  stated,  that  pursuant  to  an  order  from 
the  Honorable  Director  General  they  had  convened  all  the  Inhabitants  of  the  village 
of  Breuckelen,  had  talked  to  them  and  investigated,  how  much  they  could  together 
contribute  to  the  salary  of  Domlne  Selyns;  that  after  much  trouble  they  could  dis- 
cover and  bring  together  not  more  than  three  hundred  guilders  yearly,  to  be  paid 
In  grain  at  beaver  valuation,  and  besides  they  would  provide  a  suitable  lodging  for 
said  Domine  Selyns.  They  were  told,  that  the  said  Domine  Selyns  had  been 
promised  a  salary  of  about  twelve  hundred  florins  yearly  and  come  here  on  that 
promise,  therefore  this  sum  must  be  collected  and  the  Company  would  for  the 
present  contribute  towards  it  the  tenths  from  the  said  village,  but  they  must 
endeavor  to  collect  the  balance.  They  declared,  that  it  was  impossible  for  the  in- 
habitants of  the  village,  because  the  burden  would  fall  upon  a  few,  the  rest  being 
people,  who  had  nothing  but  their  daily  wages.  They  were  reminded,  that  they 
should  have  considered  that,  before  they  asked  for  and  called  a  clergyman.  Reply- 
ing, that  they  hoped  the  village  would  increase  daily  and  they  would  therefore  be 
able  to  contribute  more  In  the  future,  they  requested,  that  the  said  Domine  Selyns 
should  come  there  by  the  first  opportunity.     Date  as  above. 

His  Honor,  the  Director  General,  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  having  been  Informed  of  the 
inability  of  the  inhabitants  of  Breuckelen,  offers,  provisionally  and  until  their 
situation  has  Improved,  to  pay  to  the  Company  two  hundred  and  fifty  guilders 
yearly  towards  the  salary  of  the  said  Domine  Selyns  on  condition  that  the  Domine 
shall  preach  at  his  Honor's  bouwery  on  Manhattan  Island  on  Sunday  evenings. 
The  Council  after  considering  the  offer  accepted  it  and  with  his  Honor  resolved,  to 
inform  Domine  Selyns  of  It.     Date  as  above. —  Col.  Docs.  N.   Y.  xiv.  477,  479. 


Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Form  of  Baptism  in  'New  I^etherland. 

1660,  July  6th. 

Rev.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  report  regarding  the  change 
in  the  Formiilse  of  Baptism  in  New  ISTetherland  that  they  have 
found  that  such  a  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  Directors;  that 
the  word  "  Here  '^  (Alhier)  in  the  Form  of  Baptism  was  left  out; 
•and  to  this  end  they  had  already  sent  over  there  some  old  copies 
for  the  use  there,  in  which  the  same  is  not  found.  At  a  subse- 
quent meeting  this  shall  be  more  fully  discussed,    vi.  190 ;  xix.  62. 


1660 


478  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

Administrative  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 
Salary  of  Curtius,  Latin  teacher. 

1660,   August  9. 

Whereas  the  Honorable  Director  General  and  Burgomasters  have  last  year 
allowed  to  and  ordained  the  Rector  Carolus  Curtius  to  take  six  guilders  per  quarter 
school  money  for  each  boy,  and  Burgomasters  had,  on  these  conditions  allowed  him 
a  yearly  salary  from  this  City  of  two  hundred  guilders  and  whereas  it  has  come  to 
the  Burgomasters  ears,  that  the  Rector,  of  his  own  pleasure  takes  one  beaver  per 
quarter  from  each  boy  which  is  contrary  to  the  order;  Burgomasters  do,  therefore 
hereby  give  him  warning  and  notice,  not  to  take  any  more,  than  what  is  fixed  upon 
by  the  Honorable  Director  General  and  Burgomasters,  or  through  neglect  thereof 
Burgomasters  shall  retain  his  Yearly  Stipend,  which  the  Rector  receives  from  this 
City  and  lie  shall  receive  no  further  allowance  from  this  City.  Done  Amsterdam  in 
New  Netherland,  the  9th  August  1660. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  vii.  p.  257, 

Synod  of  jSTorth  Holland,  at  Enckhuyzen. 

1660,  Aug.  10  et  seq. 

Art.  29.     Extract  from  a  letter  dated  September  10,   1659,  at 
'New  Amsterdam,  in  New  Netherland. 

The  Brethren  relate  that  the  Lutheran  pastor  (Phar-heer)  John 
(Ernest)  Goetwasser  had  been  thrown  into  jail  by  Governor  Stuj- 
vesant,  inasmuch  as  he  was  unwilling  to  heed  the  command  of  the 
authorities  to  cease  to  hold  Lutheran  conventicles;  and  that  in 
the  spring  he  had  been  sent  to  Holland  in  the  ship  the  Brujnvis. 

That  the  Lutheran  conventicles  had  thereby  been  stopped,  and 
that  the  Lutherans  now  again  come  to  the  meetings  of  the 
Reformed.     Rev.  Everardus  Weelius  had  died  in  New  I^etherland. 

There  have  been  sent  as  ministers  to  ISTew  E"etherland  Rev. 
Hermanns  Blom  and  Rev.  Henricus  Selyns. 

As  yet  no  English  candidate  has  been  found  to  preach  also  in 
the  villages,  among  the  English  in  that  language.  Further  effort, 
will  yet  be  made. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  479 

Petition  of  Eev.  Hermanus  Blom  and  Eev.  Henricus  Selynus 

FOR  AN  AXI^OWANCE  FOR  BoARD  AND  LoDGINGS,  WhIEE  DE- 
TAINED AT  ISTew  Amsterdam  on  Their  Way  to  Their  Places 
OF  Destination,  Respectively  Esofus  and  Brooklyn, 
Granted. 

Thursday  September  2    (1660.) 
Present  in  Council  the  Honorable  Director  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Messires 
Nicasius  de  Sille  and  Johan  de  Deckere,  Councillors. 

To  the  Right  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. 

Whereas  we,  the  undersigned,  have  left  home  in  the  service  and  employ  of  the 
right  Honorable  Lords  Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West  India  Company,  Depart- 
ment of  Amsterdam,  to  preach  the  Holy  Gospel  and  by  God's  grace  have  safely 
arrived  in  New  Netherland,  but  could  not  be  immediately  forwarded  to  our  places 
(to  wit  Esopus  and  Brooklyn,  where  we  were  ordered  by  their  Lordships  to  take 
charge  of  the  divine  service  and  propagate  the  knowledge  of  God)  Except  upon  a 
proper  and  solemn  order  of  your  Honorable  Worships  and  have  especially  at  the 
Manhattans,  where  we  took  up  our  provisional  residence,  waited  with  sincere  desire 
for  the  time  and  opportunity  of  being  forwarded  and  introduced  into  the  service  of 
the  Church,  Therefore  we,  the  petitioners,  request  with  all  respect  and  due  rever- 
ence, that  your  Honorable  Worships  will  please  to  take  upon  themselves  the  pay- 
ment of  our  expenses  for  board  and  lodgings,  according  to  the  laudable  instructions 
given  by  the  Honorable  Assembly  of  the  XIX  and  delivered  to  us,  the  petitioners, 
with  new  signatures  by  the  Lords  Directors,  reading:  Article  XV  the  preachers  etc. 
By  doing  this,  your  Honorable  Worships  will  oblige  the  petitioners  and  animate 
them  in  their  service  of  the  Word,  in  the  meantime  they  hope  for  a  favorable  reso- 
lution and  remain. 

Your  Honorable  Worships'  faithful  servants, 

(signed)  Hermanus  Blom, 

Pastor  at  Esopus. 
Henricus  Selyns, 

Pastor  at  Breuckelen. 

The  foregoing  petition  having  been  received  and  read,  the  following  decision  was 
made: 

For  as  long  a  time  as  the  petitioners  have  been  here  at  this  place  from  their 
arrival  until  this  day  one  bever  per  week  shall  be  allowed  to  them  for  board  and 
lodgings.     Date  as  above. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii,  186,  187. 

The  Formal  Introduction  of  Rev.  Henry  Selyns  to  the 
Church  of  Brooklyn.  Letter  of  Gov.  Stuyvesant  to  the 
Consistory,  Sept.  3,  1660. 

To  the  Church  Council  at  Breuckelen: — 

The  church  of  Breuckelen,  requested  the  Director-General 
and  Council,  that  on  account  of  the  fatigue  of  the  journey 
from  Brooklyn  to  Midwout,  and  the  great  age  of  Rev.  J.  Pol- 
hemus,  to  whom  it  proves  burdensome,   a  preacher  should  be 


1660 


1660 


480  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

provided  for  them  for  the  promotion  of  true  religion  and  their 
edification.  Their  request  was  deemed  reasonable,  and  it  was 
ordered  that  it  should  be  sent  to  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West 
India  Company,  with  the  expectation  that  it  would  be  granted. 

Rev.  Henry  Selyns  having  come  in  answer  to  the  above  request, 
to  proclaim  the  Gospel  there,  and  to  administer  the  sacraments, 
his  Honor,  the  said  Director-General,  after  several  conferences 
and  a  suitable  contract  with  the  delegates  from  Breuckelen,  has 
sent  thither  the  said  minister,  accompanied  by  the  Hon.  Deputies, 
I^Ticasius  De  Sille,  Councilor  and  Fiscal  of  'New  ISTetherland,  and 
Hon.  Martin  Krieger,  Burgomaster  of  New  Amsterdam,  in  New 
I^etherland,  in  order  that  he  might  be  presented  and  installed  as 
minister,  with  the  following  missive: 

Honorable  and  Dearly  Beloved : — 

This  short  and  open  letter  serves  as  an  introduction  to  the 
bearer.  Rev.  Henry  Selyns,  by  the  Honorable,  the  Director  of 
the  Chamber  at  Amsterdam.  He  has  taken  upon  himself  the 
ministerial  office  at  your  request  in  your  correspondence,  in  order 
to  fulfill  whatever  pertains  to  said  office  in  the  to^vn  of  Breuck- 
elen, wherein  you  reside.  We  commend  him  to  you.  Receive 
him  with  affection;  hold  him  in  honor  and  respect;  attend  on 
his  ser^dces  with  readiness  and  punctuality;  and  provide  him 
with  a  comfortable  dwelling  house  according  to  your  promise;  to 
the  end  that  he  may  be  increasingly  encouraged  in  his  ministry 
among  you,  to  the  glory  of  God  and  your  salvation.  For  this 
object  may  the  good  God  send  his  richest  blessings.  With  our 
salutations,  we  join  our  prayers,  that  God  would  keep  you  all 
under  his  divine  protection,  and  defend  you. 

Your  affectionate  friend,  the  Governor, 

Peter  Stuyvesant. 
Done  at  Fort  Amsterdam, 

ISfew  I^etherland, 

Sept.  3,  1660. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yokk.  481 

This  letter  was  read  by  the  said  Honorable  Fiscal  before  the 
consistory  and  schepens  of  Breiickelen.  They  returned  their 
thanks  to  the  Honorable,  the  Director-General,  and  those  whom 
he  had  deputed,  and  acknowledged  Rev.  Henry  Selyns  as  their 
lawful  minister.  Whereupon  Domine  Selyns,  in  the  presence  of 
the  Deputies,  proceeded  to  deliver  a  sermon,  introductory  to  his 
ministry.  In  this  he  declared  his  devotion  to  the  people  now 
entrusted  to  his  care. 

The  Coi^sistoey  of  Bkooklyn  to  Domine  Polhemus. 

1660,  Sept.  7th. 

It  was  suggested  whether  it  would  not  be  right  and  proper 
for  the  consistory  of  Brooklyn  to  address  a  letter  to  Domine 
John  Polhemus,  returning  to  him  their  thanks  for  his  faithful 
ministry  and  singular  diligence,  which  he  has  so  zealously  exer- 
cised, notwithstanding  his  great  age.  The  consistory  highly 
approved  of  this,  considering  it  their  duty  to  furnish  an  appro- 
priate testimonial  of  their  gratitude.  The  following  letter  was 
prepared  and  sent: — 

Rev.  and  respected  brother  in  Jesus  Christ : — 

As  the  salvation  of  men  renders  requisite  the  preaching  and 
hearing  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  use  of  the  precious  Sacraments, 
we  desire  not  to  be  in  any  wise  unthankful.  In  the  name  of  the 
God  of  heaven  and  earth,  we  thank  you  that  you  have  dispensed 
his  word  to  us  in  such  a  faithful  and  paternal  manner,  and  (ex- 
hibited his)  spirit  in  our  congregation.  We  also  thank  you  for 
your  devoted  labor  and  acceptable  instruction.  It  must  be  our 
own  fault,  if  we  bring  forth  no  fruits  of  repentance  and  holiness. 
Having  taken  into  consideration  your  great  age  and  the  burden- 
some character  of  the  services,  we  have  requested  from  the  Hon. 
Director-General,  and  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company, 
your  dismission  from  us,  and  by  God's  favor,  have  obtained  the 

same.     At  the  same  time  they  have  sent  to  us  Domine  Henricus 

31 


1660 


1660 


482  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

Selyns,  who  was  introduced  at  Brooklyn,  by  the  Hon.  Fiscal, 
ISTicasiiis  de  Sille,  and  the  Burgomaster,  Martin  Krieger,  with  a 
letter  from  the  Hon.  Director-General;  and  he  has  been  accepted 
by  the  congregation.  Receive  then,  Rev.  and  respected  brother, 
the  assurance  of  our  gratitude,  while  w^e  cordially  commend  you, 
and  the  churches  which  have  been  under  your  care,  to  the  pro- 
tection of  the  Most  High. 
Brooklyn,  Sept.  7,  1660.  Joris  Dirkse. 

Willem  Bredenhaut. 

1660,  Sept.  12th. 

Joris  Dirckse,  elder,  represented  that  he  had  communicated  the 
letter  of  thanks  to  the  Rev.  Johannes  Polhemus,  which  was  very 
acceptable  to  him.  Domine  Polhemus  handed  to  him  the  follow 
list  of  members  within  the  jurisdiction  of  Brooklyn. 

Joris  Dirkse,  Susanna  Dubbels,  Albert  Cornelison,  Tryntje 
Hudders,  William  Garretse  Van  Couwenhoven,  Aeltje  Joris,  Pe- 
ter Montfoort,  Sarah  de  Planck,  Jan.  Evertse,  Tryntje  Symons, 
William  Bredenbant,  Aeltje  Brackunde,  Jan  Pieterson,  Grietje 
Jans,  Teunis  N^ysser,  Femmetje  Jans,  Adam  Brower,  Magdalena 
Jacobs,  Johannes  Marcus,  Elsie  Hendricks,  Teunis  Janse,  Bar- 
bara Lucas,  Jan  Jorisse,  Jan  Hyber  [or  Hibbov],  Guertruut 
Barents.      (25). 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America.  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats  to  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  Sept.  22,  1660.  (Abstracts,  Acts  of 
the  Deputies,  xx.  421.) 

The  Peace  of  Christ ! 

Dear  Brethren  in  Christ  and  Colleagues  in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 
May  God  grant  you  his  grace  and  peace  for  Christ's  sake, 
Amen ! 

The  reason  which, induces  me  to  write  to  the  dear  Brethren, 
is  partly  the  advice  of  the  Brethren  at  New  Amsterdam,  and 


'' "  OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  483 

partly,  because  the  Lutherans  are  now  again,  as  before,  making 
up  subscriptions  for  the  salary  of  a  Lutheran  preacher.  They 
say,  or  pretend,  that  this  has  been  allowed  to  them  by  the  gen- 
tlemen of  the  West  India  Company.  But  if  he  should  come, 
which  may  God  prevent,  it  would  create  a  great  schism  among 
us  here  in  our  congregation,  which  is  now  at  peace,  especially, 
because  there  are  several  (Lutherans)  here,  who  are  members  of 
our  church,  which  numbers  at  present  about  two  hundred  mem- 
bers. There  are  also  other  Lutherans  who  are  gradually  being 
led  to  us.  Some  of  these  are  on  the  point  of  becoming  members, 
who  were  at  home  of  different  opinions.  But  there  are  some 
unstable  Lutherans,  who  do  not  seem  to  like  any  other  form  of 
baptism  than  that  according  to  Luther,  and  his  religion.  They 
have  not  the  least  comprehension  of  the  difference,  and  are  satis- 
fied, as  long  as  the  hope  of  obtaining  a  Lutheran  preacher  is  de- 
ferred. They  were  indeed  somewhat  restless  about  it,  when  they 
first  heard  of  it,  but  having  quieted  do\\Ti  a  little,  they  come 
again  to  church.  But  when  a  renewed  hope  is  excited  in  such 
people,  then  these  rainless  clouds  and  this  tempestuous  sea  again 
begin  to  move  by  the  (renewal)  of  the  hope,  given  them  several 
times  before.  We  trust  that  the  dear  Brethren  will  do  their 
best  in  this  matter  to  protect  Christ's  sheep  against  the  wolves 
and  foxes,  and  catch  also  the  young  foxes,  that  they  may  not  in- 
jure the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  —  the  vines  which  are  still  very 
young  and  tender  in  this  country,  and  especially  in  this  place. 
Trusting  to  the  Reverend  Brethren,  as  faithful  g*uardians  of  the 
Israel  of  God,  we  commend  you  to  God  and  the  word  of  his  grace. 

Your  fellow  worker, 
Gideon  Schaats, 

Preacher  at  Beverwyck 
near    Fort    Orange,    in 
'New  Netherland. 
Done  this  22nd  of  Sept.  1660, 
at  New  Amsterdam. 


1660 


1660 


484  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1660,  Sept.  29tli. 
Eev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Eev.,  Very  Learned  and  Pious  Sirs,  the  Ministers  of  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Amsterdam: — 

After  offering  you  all,  collectively  and  individually,  my  re- 
spectful salutations,  I  would  inform  you  by  this  of  my  welfare. 
I  still  continue  in  the  discharge  of  my  duties,  in  my  church  at  Mid- 
wout  and  Amersfort,  in  Xew  JSTetherland.  I  reg-ularly  preach 
every  Sunday  morning  at  Midwout,  and  alternately  at  each  place 
in  the  afternoons.  I  thank  God  who  gives  me  strength  and  be- 
stows his  blessing  upon  me,  and  upon  my  brethren  in  the  ministry 
in  this  country.  If  it  please  God  to  assist  me,  I  shall  continue 
in  my  work,  faithfully  performing  my  servdce  according  to  the 
forms  and  customs  of  the  parent  church  of  the  Netherlands.     I 

remain  meanwhile. 

Yours  affectionately, 

Midwout,  Johannes  Th.  Polhemus. 

Sept.  29,  1660. 

CouN^ciL  Minute.     The  Chuech  at  Midwout,  Loxg  Isla:xd. 

I  September  30,  1660. 

Before  the  Council  appeared  Domine  Johannes  Theodorus  Polheym,  preacher  at 
Midwout,  on  Long  Island,  and  Jan  Strycker,  elder  and  churchmaster  of  the  same 
place,  who  informed  the  Council,  that  the  Church  at  Midwout  was  almost  com- 
pleted, except  the  windows,  and  requested  that  the  Director  General  and  Council 
would  present  the  said  Church  with  one  or  two  windows.  After  considering  the 
request,  a  window  for  the  Church  was  promised  on  behalf  of  the  Company.  Date 
as  above. 

To  the  Noble,   Very  Honorable,   Very  Pious  Director  General  and  Council  of  New 
Netherland: 

Show  with  due  respect  we,  the  undersigned,  that  for  the  building  of  our  Church 
at  Midwout  we  have  collected  in  the  communities  of  Fort  Orange,  New  Amsterdam 
and  here  on  Long  Island  the  sum  of  fl. 3437.12. —  of  which  amount  we  have  expended 
fl.3433.9.—  but  we  still  owe 

To  Jacob  Lourens,  carpenter fl.230 

"  Isaac  Foreest  for  nails  and  hinges  "'  117 

"  Tyde  Syricks,  mason "  215 

"  Sander,  the  skipper,  for  freight  of  boards  "    81 

"  Aucke   Jansen,    carpenter,    for   outside   work   as   appraised   by   arbi- 
trators      "100  fl.743 

There  is  still  due  us  from  Claes  Notelaer  on  a  note "  119 

so  that  we  are  still  indebted fl.624 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  485 

In  the  name  of  our  whole  community  we  therefore  humbly  request,  that  on  behalf 

of  the   Noble   Lords   Directors   of   the    Privileged   West   India    Company,    our   high 

masters  and  for  the  support  and  propagation  of  the  holy  gospel  in  this  country  the 

above  stated  sum  may  be  supplied  as  a  present.     Which  doing  we  shall  always 

remain, 

Your  Noble  Honors'  obedient  and  faithful  servants, 

I  Johannes  Th.  Polhemius, 

'■  Jan  Strycker. 

The  foregoing  petition  was  received  and  read  and  the  annexed  statement  of  the 
moneys  collected  in  the  community  and  of  the  expenses  having  been  examined,  it 
was  found,  that  the  receipts  did  not  cover  the  expenses.  Whereas  on  behalf  of  the 
Company  as  yet  nothing  has  been  contributed  towards  building  said  Church,  It  is 
resolved,  to  disburse  to  the  petitioners,  on  behalf  of  the  Company,  for  the  present, 
for  completing  the  work  four  hundred  florins,  common  currency,  and  the  following 
answer  was  given: 

When  the  treasury  is  in  funds,  four  hundred  guilders  shall  be  advanced  to  the 
petitioners  ou  behalf  of  the  Company  for  completing  the  work.  Date  as  above. — 
Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  482,  483. 

Classis  of  x^MSTERDAM. 

Correspondence  from  America,  1660,  Oct.  4tli.  Eev.  Samuel 
Drisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  (Abstract,  in  Acts  of 
Deputies,  xx.  421.) 

Rev.,  Pious,  Very  Learned  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ: — 

We  have  received  your  letter  of  the  first  of  March,  1660,  from 
which  we  learn  of  your  continued  zeal  and  labor  for  the  welfare 
of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  this  province.  For  this  we  tender  you 
the  expression  of  our  gratitude.  Domine  Blom  and  Selyns  ar- 
rived here  safely,  and  have  entered  upon  their  duties  in  their  re- 
spective charges,  to  the  great  gratification  and  satisfaction  of  the 
inhabitants.  Domine  Selyns  is  at  Brooklyn,  and  Domine  Blom 
at  Esopus.  Each  has  a  very  good  prospect,  God's  blessing,  of 
building  up  and  increasing  the  church  of  Christ. 

We  h>ave  already,  for  some  years  past,  written  to  your  Bev. 
body,  that  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  have 
desired  that  we  should,  for  the  sake  of  conciliation,  be  somewhat 
more  moderate,  and  meet  the  Lutherans  half  way,  by  omitting  the 
word  "  here  ",  (alhier),  ordinarily  used  in  the  second  question  to 
the  parents  and  sponsors,  (in  the  Form  of  Baptism).  Our  hope 
was  that  your  Hon.  body  would  have  mediated  with  the  Hon. 


1660 


1660 


486  ECCLESTASTICAL    KeCORDS 

Directors  in  this  matter,  so  as  to  ob\date  this  (difficulty),  but  we 
cannot  perceive  this  from  your  letter,  much  less  from  that  of  the 
Hon.  Directors.  We  see,  indeed,  that  you  exhort  us  to  adhere 
to  the  Formula ;  but  this  does  not  change  the  opinion  of  the  Hon. 
Patroons,  that  we  indulge  in  no  unnecessary  precision  in  matters 
of  indifference;  neither  does  it  regain  their  approbation,  or  meet 
the  intentions  they  have  expressed.  For  their  Lordships  have 
required  the  Director-General  to  declare  to  us,  in  their  name,  that 
they  simply  demand  that  the  old  Formula  should  be  used  and  ob-" 
served  by  us,  without  any  farther  orders  from  Amsterdam, 
and  without  any  farther  opposition.  For  several  ministers  in  the 
Fatherland  had  judged  it  to  be  indifferent  whether  we  use  or 
omit  the  word  ^'  here ''  (alhier) ;  and  it  may  happen  here  that 
greater  evils  may  arise,  and  easily  bring  greater  injuries  to  the 
church,  by  the  formation  of  separate  assemblies  of  other  denomi- 
nations. The  Hon.  Directors  have  therefore,  not  only  sent  over 
some  books  which  contain  the  old  Formulas,  to  be  used  by  us, 
but  they  also  write  that  Domines  Blom  and  Selyns  had  consented 
and  promised  to  use  them.  On  this  account,  we  also  deem  it  best; 
and  with  the  design  of  avoiding  any  division  in  the  churches  in 
this  country,  we  shall  hereafter,  according  to  the  order  of  the 
Director-General,  use  the  old  Formula. 

There  is  present  here  a  man,  aged  thirty  years,  baptized  by  the 
Mennonists,  at  Amsterdam.  He  attends  church  punctually,  be- 
haves well,  is  diligent  in  learning  the  principal  doctrines  of  the 
Christian  religion,  and  desires  to  partake  with  us  of  the  Lord's 
Supper.  Some  of  the  principal  members  of  our  church  think, 
that  he  should  abide  by  the  baptism  he  has  received  from  the 
Mennonists.  Others,  on  the  contrary,  contend,  that  baptism  by 
the  Mennonists  is  not  proper  baptism,  as  their  ministers  are  a 
miscellaneous  lot,  who  teach  grievous  errors  concerning  the  Holy 
Trinity;  that  they  do  not  acknowledge  or  believe  that  there  are 
three  persons  in  the  Godhead,  but  hold  them  to  be  mere  names. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  487 

They  think  this  doctrine  to  be  no  better  than  that  of  Jews  or 

Turks,  who  also  acknowledge  the  Divine  existence,  but  not  the 

distinct  persons.      The  man  himself  desires  not  to  be  baptized 

again.    We  request  therefore  that  you  would  give  us  your  advice, 

and  inform  us  of  the  usual  custom  at  Amsterdam  in  such  cases, 

that  we  may  know  how  to  proceed  in  this  matter,  and  that  no  dis^ 

sentions  may  spring  up.     Finally,  we  commend  you  to  God  and 

the  word  of  his  grace,  praying  that  it  may  please  him  to  bless  you 

in  your  field  of  labor,  and  also  us  here  in  America,  that  we  may 

bring  many  souls  unto  Christ. 

Yours  dutifully, 

Amsterdam,  in  Samuel  Drisius. 

iN'ew  l^etherland, 

Oct.  4th  1660. 

Correspondence  from  America.  1660,  Oct.  4th.  Rev.  Henry 
Selyns,  Minister  at  Brooklyn,  L.  L,  to  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam. 

Reverend  Wise  and  Pious  Teachers: — 

We  cannot  be  so  forgetful  as  to  omit  to  inform  you  concerning 
our  churches  and  services.  While  at  sea,  we  did  not  neglect  re- 
ligious worship,  but  every  morning  and  evening  we  besought 
God's  guidance  and  protection,  with  prayer  and  the  siaging  of  a 
psalm.  On  Sundays  and  Feast-days  the  Holy  Gospel  was  read, 
when  possible.  The  sacrament  was  not  administered  on  ship- 
board, and  we  had  no  sick  people  during  the  voyage.  God's  favor 
brought  us  all  here  in  safety  and  health.  Arrived  in  'New  ISTether- 
land,  we  were  first  heard  at  the  Manhattans;  but  the  peace- 
negotiations  at  the  Esopus,  where  we  also  went,  and  the  general 
business  of  the  Government  necessarily  delayed  our  installation 
(or  presentation)  until  now.  We  have  preached  here  at  the 
Esopus,  also  at  Fort  Orange ;  during  this  time  of  waiting  we  were 
well  provided  with  food  and  lodging.  Esopus  needs  more  people, 
but  Breuckelen  more  money;  wherefore  I  serve  on  Sundays,  im 


1660 


1660 


488  Ecclesiastical  Records 

the  evenings  only,  at  the  General's  Bouwery,  at  his  expense.  The 
installation  at  Brooklyn  was  made  by  the  Honorable  Xicasius  de 
Sille,  Fiscal,  and  Martin  Kriegers,  Burgomaster,  with  an  open 
commission  from  his  Honor,  the  Director-General.  I  was  cor- 
dially received  by  the  'Magistrates  and  Consistory,  and  greeted  by 
Domine  Polhemius.  We  do  not  preach  in  a  church,  but  in  a 
barn,  (Korenschuur ;)  next  winter  we  shall  by  God's  favor  and 
the  general  assistance  of  the  people  erect  a  church. 

The  audience  is  passably  large,  coming  from  Middlewout,  l^ew 
Amersfort,  and  often  Gravesande  increases  it;  but  most  come 
from  the  Manhattans.  The  Ferry,  the  Walebacht,  (Wallabout,) 
and  Guyanes,  (Gowanus,)  all  belong  to  Brooklyn.  The  Ferry  is 
about  two  thousand  paces  from  Breuckelen,  and  it  is  about  four 
thousand  paces  across  the  river,  or  to  the  Manhattans,  from  the 
Breuckelen  Ferry.  I  found  at  Breuckelen  one  elder,  two  deacons, 
tAventj  four  members,  thirty  one  house-holders,  and  one  hundred 
and  thirty  four  people.  The  Consistory  will  remain  for  the  present 
as  it  is.  In  due  time  we  will  have  more  material  (to  choose  from) 
and  we  will  know  the  congregation  better.  Catechizing  will  not 
be  held  here  before  the  winter;  but  we  will  begin  it  at  the  Bouwery 
at  once,  either  on  week  days,  or  when  there  is  no  preaching  service 
there.  It  will  be  most  suitable  to  administer  the  Lord's  Supper 
on  Christmas,  Easter,  Whitsuntide  and  in  September.  On  the  day 
following  these  Festival-days  a  thanksgiving  sermon  will  be 
preached.  I  might  have  taken  up  my  residence  at  the  Manhat- 
tans, because  of  its  convenience;  but  my  people,  all  of  them,  evinc- 
ing their  love  and  affection  for  me,  have  provided  me  a  dwelling 
(at  Brooklyn),  of  which  I  cannot  complain.  I  preach  at  Breucke- 
len in  the  morning;  but  at  the  Bouwery,*  at  the  end  of  the 
catechetical  sermon.  The  Bouwery  is  a  place  of  relaxation  and 
pleasure,  whither  people  go  from  the  Manhattans,  for  the  evening 
service.  There  are  there  forty  negroes,  from  the  region  of  the 
negro  coast,  besides  the  household  families.  There  is  here  as  yet 
no  Consistory,  but  the  deacons  from  New  Amsterdam  provision- 


•  Stuyvesant's  Bowery. 


OF  THE  State  of  'New  York.  480 

ally  receive  the  alms;  and  at  least  one  deacon^  if  not  an  elder, 

ought  to  be  chosen  there.    Besides  myself,  there  are  in  iSTew  Neth- 

erland,  the  Domines  Joannes  Megapolensis  and  Samuel  Drisius 

at  New  Amsterdam;  Domine  Gideon   Schaats  at  Fort  Orange; 

Domine  Joannes  Polhemius  at  Middlewoiit  and  New  Amersfort; 

and  Domine  Hermanns  Blom  at  the  Esopus.    I  have  nothing  more 

to  add,  except  to  express  my  sincere  gratitude  and  to  make  my 

respectful  acknowledgTnents.     I  commend  your  Reverences,  wise 

and  pious  teachers,  to  God's  protection,  and  am, 

Yours  humbly, 

Henricus  Selyns,  Minister  of  the 

Holy  Gospel  at  Breuckelen. 
From  Amsterdam,  on 

the  Manhattans,  Oct.  4,  1660. 

[It  will  be  found  somewhat  amusing  to  compare  this  transla- 
tion with  a  former  one,  (an  extract,)  to  be  found  in  Doc.  Hist. 
K  Y.  iii.  72  (4to.  ed.)] 

Stuyvesant's  Chapel  —  1660. 

Peter  Stuyvesant,  soon  after  he  became  Director-General  of  New  Netherland  in 
1647,  began  to  acquire  lands  on  Manhattan  Island  in  the  vicinity  of  Third  Avenue 
and  Tenth  Street.  A  little  settlement  soon  sprung  up  at  this  place,  Icnown  as 
'*  Stuyvesant's  Bouwerie  "  or  farm.  For  the  accommodation  of  these  people,  as 
well  as  his  own  family  and  negro  slaves,  of  which  there  were  about  forty,  the' 
Governor  built  a  little  chapel,  and  here,  about  1660,  Domine  Selyns,  minister  at 
Breuckelen,  began  to  officiate  on  Sunday  evenings.  For  this  service  Stuyvesant  gave 
him  two  hundred  and  fifty  guilders  ($100.)  a  year,  to  supplement  his  meagre  support 
in  Brooklyn.  This  arrangement  lasted  from  1660-1664,  when  Selyns  returned  to 
Holland.  He  was  succeeded  at  this  Bouwerie  chapel,  by  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis, 
minister  in  New  York,  and  who  was  also  a  physician,  and  he  remained  likewise  for 
four  years,  when  he  returned  to  Holland. 

Stuyvesant  died  in  1672,  and  was  buried  in  the  vault  under  this  chapel.  His* 
widow  died  in  1687,  and  by  will,  left  the  chapel  to  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  of 
New  York,  to  dispose  of  as  they  saw  proper,  provided  the  vault  be  preserved. 

The  Consistory  of  the  Dutch  Church  do  not  seem  to  have  continued  services  in 
the  chapel;  or  the  bequest  may  have  proved  unavailable  as  Mrs.  Stuyvesant  had 
only  a  life  interest  in  the  property.  The  building  soon  fell  into  decay,  and  after  a 
while  nothing  remained  except  the  foundations. 

The  Stuyvesants  finally  joined  the  Episcopal  Church,  the  name  appearing  among 
Its  vestrymen  from  1760  and  onward.  With  the  return  of  prosperity,  after  the 
Revolution,  the  population  of  the  City  increased;  but  the  frequent  recurrence  of 
yellow  fever  from  1791  to  1800,  drove  many  out  of  the  City  northward  to  find  rural 
homes.     Churches  slowly  followed,  but  until  St.  Marks  was  built  in  1799,  the  only 


1660 


1799 


490  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

Episcopal  Churches  in  New  Yorlj  were  Trinity,  St.  Paul's  Chapel,  St.  George's 
Chapel  in  Beekman  Street,  and  Christ  Church  in  Ann  Street. 

In  1793  Petrus  Stuyvesant  proposed  to  the  Vestry  of  Trinity  Church  the  erection 
of  a  church  upon  his  land,  near  or  on  the  site  of  the  former  Dutch  chapel,  and 
offered  eight  hundred  pounds  ($2000.)  and  a  plot  of  ground  one  hundred  and  fifty 
by  one  hundred  and  ninety  feet.  Trinity  Church  accepted  the  offer,  and  agreed  to 
build  as  soon  as  its  finances  permitted.  A  couple  of  years  passed  before  sufficient 
money  was  available  to  begin  with,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  in  1795  by 
Bishop  ProToost.  But  the  work  continued  to  drag,  and  the  church  was  not  com- 
pleted until  1799. 

As  it  approached  completion,  the  question  arose  whether  it  would  not  be  better 
to  make  of  it  a  separate  parish,  instead  of  retaining  it  as  a  chapel  like  St.  Paul's 
or  St.  George's.  But  as  Trinity,  by  its  Charter  in  1697,  was  made  the  only  parish 
church  (Episcopalian)  in  the  City  of  New  York,  the  proposal  to  erect  another  parish 
raised  legal  questions,  but  these  were  answered  satisfactorily,  as  the  Charter  of 
Trinity  was  superseded  by  the  new  Act  of  Incorporation  of  1704.  It  was  decided 
that  Trinity  should  convey  the  church  and  land  to  trustees  in  trust  for  the  Cor- 
poration of  St.  Marks,  when  the  same  should  be  formed.  Petrus  Stuyvesant, 
Francis  Bayard  Winthrop,  Gilbert  Colden  Willett,  Mangle  Minthorne,  Martin  Hoff- 
man, William  A.  Hardenbrook  and  George  Rapelje,  were  appointed  such  trustees. 
Mr.  Rapelje  declined  to  act. 

On  September  24,  1799,  the  Trustees  adopted  the  following  resolution: 

WHEREAS,  It  is  necessary,  in  order  to  carry  into  effect  the  complete  organiza- 
tion of  this  church,  that  an  election  of  two  church-wardens  and  eight  vestrymen 
should  immediately  take  place;  and  it  being  more  proper  that  they  should  be  chosen 
by  the  persons  composing  the  congregation  of  the  church  than  appointed  by  the 
trustees,  and  in  order  to  interest  the  congregation  for  this  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  the  pews  in  the  lower  part  of  the  church  be  sold  at  public  auction 
on  Wednesday  next,  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  on  a  lease  of  five  years,  at 
the  highest  rent  that  can  be  obtained,  payable  half-yearly;  and  that  notice  be  given 
in  the  public  newspapers  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  at  every  public  place  about 
the  Bowery. 

On  October  18,  1799,  a  meeting  was  held  of  the  male  members  of  the  congregation 
to  incorporate  themselves  and  elect  Wardens  and  Vestrymen,  according  to  the  law 
of  March  17,  1795.    The  following  were  chosen: 

WARDENS. 
Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Francis  B.  Winthrop. 

VESTRYMEN. 
Gilbert  C.  Willett.  William  Ogden. 

Martin  Hoffman.  George  Turnbull. 

Wm.  A.  Hardenbrook.  Nicholas  W.  Stuyvesant. 

Mangle  Minthorne.  James  Cummings. 

See  Memorial  of  St.  Mark's  Church  in  the  Bowery,  1899. 

Opinion  of  Messrs.  Troup,  Hamilton  and  Harison,  in  the  matter  of  a  transfer  of 
lots  from  Trinity  Church  to  St.  Mark's  Church: 

In  consequence  of  a  resolution  of  the  Vestry  of  Trinity  Church,  of  the  ninth  of 
November,  instant,  (1801),  we  have  considered  the  subject  therein  mentioned,  and 
are  of  the  opinion  that  the  Corporation  of  St.  Mark's  Church  can  have  no  valid 
pretensions,  either  at  law  or  in  equity,  to  any  part  of  the  property  of  "  The  Rector 
and  Inhabitants  of  the  City  of  New  York  in  Communion  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  of  the  State  of  New  York";  but  nevertheless,  for  greater  caution,  we  ap- 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  491 

prove  of  their  taking  from  the  Corporation  of  St.  Mark's  Church,  a  deed  in  the 
form  of  that  marked  "A  ",  when  the  lots  lately  set  apart  for  that  purpose  are 
conveyed  to  the  said  Corporation. 

New  York,  the  21st  of  November,  1801. 

Robert  Troup. 

Alexander  Hamilton. 

Richard  Harison. 

The  deed  marked  "A  "  was  approved  and  executed,  and  is  as  follows: 

"A." 

To  all  to  whom  these  Presents  shall  come  or  may  in  any  wise  concern:     We,  the 
rector,   church-wardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  St. 
Mark's  in  the  Bowery,  in  the  City  of  New  York,  send  greeting:    Whereas,  the  Cor- 
poration having  the  name  and  style  of  "  The  Rector  and  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
City  of  New  York,  in  Communion  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  State 
of  New  York  ",  have,  from  their  zeal  to  promote  the  cause  of  religion  and  piety, 
contributed  largely  to  the  expense  of  building  St.  Mark's  Church  aforesaid,  and  to 
the  support  of  a  clergyman  to  officiate  and  perform  Divine  Service  therein,  accord- 
ing to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  said  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  have 
agreed  to  convey  to  us  thirty  lots  of  land,  part  of  their  real  estate,  for  our  own  use 
and  the  purposes  aforesaid;  and,  whereas,  it  may  be  deemed  expedient  by  the  said 
Corporation  of   "  The  Rector  and  Inhabitants  of  the  City  of  New  York,   in  com- 
munion of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  State  of  New  York  ",  to  obviate 
and  prevent  any  possibility  of  a  question  as  to  the  residue  of  their  real  estate,  or 
any  claim  or  demand  being  ever  made  by  us,  or  our  successors,  of,  in  or  to  the  said 
estate,  or  any  part,  parcel,  or  member  thereof,  for  or  by  reason  of  our  belonging  to 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church;  Now,  therefore,  know  ye,  that  We^  "  The  Rector, 
Church-Wardens  and  Vestry  of  St.  Mark's  Church  in  the  Bowery,  in  consideration 
of  the  premises,  and  in  order  to  prevent  any  doubt  upon  the  question  aforesaid,  and 
to  remove  the  possibility  of  any  dispute  or  controversy  that  may  in  any  manner 
disturb  or  interrupt  the  harmony,   concord  and  affection  which  ought  to  prevail, 
and  which  we  sincerely  pray  may  prevail  among  the  members  of  the  said  church, 
and  also  for,  and  In  consideration  of,  one  dollar  to  us  in  hand  paid  by  the  Rector  and 
Inhabitants  of  the  City  of  New  York,  in  Communion  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged,  DO 
expressly,  for  us  and  our  successors,  disclaim  and  renounce  all  right,  title,   claim 
and  demand  whatsoever,  of,   in  or  to  the  real  estate  of  the  said  Rector  and  In- 
habitants of  the  City  of  New   York,   in   Communion  of  the  Protestant   Episcopal 
Church,,   of  the  State  of  New  York,   and  of,   in  and  to  every  or  any  part,   share, 
property,    or   proportion   thereof   whatsoever,    except   what   hath   been   voluntarily 
given  and  conveyed  by  them  to  us.    And  that  all  possibility  of  doubt  upon  the  said 
subject  may  be  removed,  we  do,  for  the  consideration  aforesaid,  hereby  clearly  and 
absolutely  renounce,  release  and  grant  unto  the  said  Corporation  having  the  name 
of  the   Rector  and   Inhabitants  of  the   City  of  New  York,   in  Communion  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  all  the  right,  title,  interest, 
share,  property,  claim  and  demand  whatsoever,  both  at  law  and  in  equity,  which 
we  now  have,  or  which  we,  or  any  successors,  may  at  any  time  or  times  hereafter 
have,  challenge  or  claim,  of,  in  and  to  the  estate,  lands  and  tenements  belonging 
to  the  said  Rector  and  Inhabitants  of  the  City  of  New  York,  in  Communion  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  State  of  New  York,  or  possessed  by  them  or 
their  tenants,  or  any  of  them,  so  that  neither  we  nor  our  successors  shall  ever  here- 
after  have  or  claim  any  part  of  the  said  property,  except  such  as  we  may  have  by 
the  grant  and  conveyance  of  the  said  Rector  and  Inhabitants  of  the  City  of  New 
York  in  Communion  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
as  aforesaid. 

In  witness  whereof,  etc. 

See  Memorial  of  St.  Mark's  Church  in  the  Bowery,  1899. 


1801 


1660 


492  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Form  of  Baptism. 

1660,  Oct.  5tli. 

Rev.  Koningsvelt,  about  to  go  as  minister  to  Kajana,  asks  the 
advice  of  Classis  in  regard  to  the  Fonn  of  Baptism,  as  to  the  word 
"  Here  "  (Alhier),  in  order  to  know  how  he  is  to  regulate  him- 
self; inasmuch  as  he  has  understood  that  the  Directors  wish  to 
have  that  word  left  out  of  the  formuhp.  He  was  told  that  he 
would  have  to  abide  by  the  customary  Form,  and  if  anything 
should  come  before  him  in  that  connection,  he  must  communi- 
cate with  the  Classis  per  letters,    vi.  210.    xix.  69. 

• 

Letters   from   Stuyvesant   to   the   Directors   ix   Holla]S"d 

Ejs^glish  Villages  oist  Loxg  Island  Without 

Preachers  ;  Plan  and  Sketch  of  !N'ew  Amsterdam  ; 


Copies  of  the  representations  and  requests  made  by  the  English  villages,  which 
hare  been  deprived  of  religious  instruction  for  some  time  and  now  take  advantage 
of  the  departure  by  the  "  Bonte  koe  "  of  a  minister  from  New  England,  Mr.  William 
Leverets,  are  sent  herewith  and  will  inform  you  of  their  wishes.  We  have  no 
doubt  you  will  reply  as  favorably  as  possible. 

The  two  preachers,  lately  arrived,  Domines  Blom  and  Selyns,  have  been  placed 
conformably  to  your  directions  and  their  call.  In  the  meantime  three  or  four  other 
Tillages  still  need  preachers,  and  are  deprived  of  religious  services;  namely  New 
Utrecht  and  Graveseud  on  Long  Island;  New  Haerlem  on  this  Island;  and  the  newly 
planted  villages  of  about  thirty  families  across  the  North  River,  (Bergen.)  Neces- 
sity therefore  requires,  that  two  pious  and  learned  candidates  be  sent  over  besides 
the  desired  English  preachers. 

Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland, 
the  6th  of  October  1660.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv,  483,  485;  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  189. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.     (Xew  Xetherland,   Curacoa.)     Michael 

Sijoerus  (Zyperius). 

1660,  Oct.  25th. 

(That  one  of  the  Deputies)  stated  that  Michael  Siperus 

without  pre\dous  examination,  and  without  a  certificate  of  church 
membership,  being  moreover  of  an  evil  life,  had  preached;  and 
that  now  he  has  been  sent  by  the  Directors  to  ISTew  E'etherland 
without  testimonials:  that  he  had  also  later  understood  that  the 
said  Siperus  had  been  admitted  to  the  service  of  preaching,  and 
would  be  ordained  as  minister. 


'  OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  493 

1660 

That  those  who  were  with  the  multitude  in  the  fort,  were  pun- 
ished outside  of  the  same. 

That  a  sort  of  placard  against ,  drunkenness  and  scan- 
dalous sabbath  breaking  had  been  issued  there  with  good  results. 
(At  Curacoa.     See  Doc.  July  8,  1661.) 

That  during  his  time  the  number  of  members  had  grown  from 
six  to  thirty.  He  also  writes  that  the  schoolmaster,  Geert  Scaets 
had  arrived  there,  and  was  doing  a  good  work  with  his  instructions 
among  the  Dutch  children. 

The  instruction  of  the children  stands  entirely  still. 

They  live  without  God  in  the  world,  like  beasts. 

There  was  there  a  negro,  who  gave  them  some  instruction  in 
the  Spanish  language;  but  his  wicked  life  gave  occasion  rather  to 
the  blaspheming  of  God's  name  than  to  its  glorification. 

Writes  to  have  used  the  Indians  for  the  beastly afore- 
said. 

That  since  he  had  found  with  certainty  that  the  children  were 
baptized,  he  had  also  baptized  their  children,  about  fifteen  in  all, 
causing  the  formula  to  be  read  to  them  in  Spanish,  for  fear  that 
otherwise  they  might  have  been  baptized  by  Papists,  who  some- 
times arrive  there. 

AYrites  that  there  is  needed  in  the  highest  degree  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  same  a  pious  and  godly  man,  versed  in  both  languages^ 
about  which  he  had  indeed  written  to  the  Company,  but  had  aa 
yet  received  no  reply. 

Requests  also  a  large  Bible  for  the  Church.  Two  Psalm-books, 
in  quarto.  A  good  number  of  small  test<aments  with  psalm-books 
for  the  soldiers.  Writes  also  that  as  yet  there  is  no  material  for 
making  a  consistory,  and  that  he  shall  wait  for  a  good  opportunity. 

Bequests  instruction  and  advice  of  Classis  how  he  shall  con- 
duct himself  with  regard  to  the  negroes  and  their  children  in  the 
matter  of  baptism,  as  also  in  regard  to  the  Indians. 

Concludes  with  a  wish  for  God's  blessing. 

Also   resolved   to  write   to  Pev.   Piljardus   the   resolution   of 


1660 


494  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Classis  of  February  9  (or  4),  1658,  as  to  a  certain  catachising  book 

in  Malay,    xix.  415,  416. 

1660,  July  4. 

Order    appointing    a    Committee    for    [English]     Plantation 

Affairs.     Col.  Docs.  ^N".  Y.  iii.  30. 

1660. 

Patent  of  King  Charles  II.  constituting  a  Council  for  Trade. 

Col.  Docs.  'N.  Y.  iii.  30-32. 

1660. 

Commission  of  Charles  II.  for  a  Councill  for  Foreign  Planta- 
tions.    Col.  Docs.  iii.  32-34. 

1660,  Dec.  1. 
Instructions  for  said  Councill. 


As  TO  Peligion. 

10.  You  are  most  especially  to  take  an  effectuall  care  of  the  propogacon  of  the 
Gospell  in  the  severall  Foreign  Plantacons,  by  provideing  that  there  be  good  en- 
couragement settled  for  the  invitacon  and  maintenance  of  learned  and  orthodox 
ministers,  and  by  sending  strict  orders  and  injunccons  for  the  regulating  and  re- 
forming the  debaucheries  of  planters  and  servants,  whose  ill  example  doth  bring 
scandall  upon  Christianitie,  and  deterr  such  as  yet  are  not  admitted  thereunto, 
from  affecting  or  esteeming  it.  And  you  are  to  consider  how  such  of  the  natives 
or  such  as  are  purchased  by  you  from  other  parts  to  be  servants  or  slaves  may  be 
best  invited  to  the  Christian  Faith,  and  be  made  capable  of  being  baptized  there- 
unto; it  being  to  the  honor  of  our  Crowne  and  of  the  Protestant  Religion  that  all 
persons  in  any  of  our  Dominions  should  be  taught  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  be 
made  acquainted  with  the  ministries  of  Salvation. 

IL  You  are  lastly  required  and  impowered  to  advise  order  settle  and  dispose  of 
all  matters  relating  to  the  good  Government  improvement  and  management  of  our 
Forraine  Plantacons  or  any  of  them,  with  your  utmost  skill  direccon  and  prudence. 
And  in  all  cases  wherein  you  shall  judge  that  further  powers  and  assistants  shall 
be  necessary,  you  are  to  address  yourselves  to  us  (or)  our  Privy  Councill  for  our 
further  pleasure  resolucon  and  direccons  therein. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  iii.  36. 

Letters  from  the  Directors  to  Stuyvesant  :   

Ministers  for  the  English  Villages  on  Long  Island; 
English  Settlers  in  ISTew  J^etherland;  Church  Bell  for 
Brooklyn  ; 


The  24th  of  December  1660. 


Honorable,  Prudent,  Dear,  Faithful.  We  shall  also  consider  the  request  for  two 
or  three  suitable  candidates  or  ministers,  to  be  located  in  the  English  and  Dutch 
villages;  we  are  inquiring  for  such  persons,  that  both  nationalities  and  churches 
may  soon  be  properly  provided. 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  495 

We  have  been  pleased  to  receive  the  map  of  Nev7  Amsterdam:  we  noticed,  that 
according  to  our  opinion  too  great  spaces  are  as  yet  without  buildings,  as  for* 
instance  between  Smee  Street  (William  Street,)  and  Princes  Gracht  (Broad  Street 
above  Exchange  Place;)  or  between  Princes  Street  (Broad  Street  above  Exchange 
Place),  and  Tuyn  Street,  (Exchange  Place  between  Broadway  and  Broad  Street); 
also  between  Heeren  Street  (Broadway)  and  Bevers  Gracht,  (Beaver  Street)  where 
the  houses  apparently  are  surrounded  by  excessively  large  lots  and  gardens;  perhaps 
with  the  intention  of  cutting  streets  through  them,  when  the  population  increases, 
although  if  standing  closer  together,  a  defense  might  be  easier.  We  leave  this  to 
your  consideration  and  care. 

As  Domine  Selyns  has  asked  us,  to  send  a  good  bell  for  the  Church  at  Brooklyn, 
which  could  be  used  to  call  together  the  country  people  in  times  of  distress,  we 
have  resolved  to  send  it  if  possible  with  this  ship;  also  another  for  the  Esopus; 
that  they  may  use  them  on  proper  occasions. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv.  486,  488,  489. 


1660 


The  Directors  to  Stuyvesant. 

"  We  will  consider  the  petition  of  Mr.  Evert  Pietersen,  late 
schoolmaster  and  chorister  in  the  colony  of  the  city,  to  be  employed 
again  in  the  Company's  service,  and  return  thither  with  his  wife, 
and  inquire  about  his  character,  conduct,  and  abilities;  when  we 
shall  communicate  the  result  to  your  honor."  —  Dunshee,  27. 

Kevenue  aistd  Expeistditure  of  the  Village  of  Wiltwyck:,  In- 
cluding THE  Building  of  the  Minister's  House. 

Income  of  Wiltwyck  Village. 
From  525  morgens. 

The  land  pays  fl  2.10  st.  per  morgen  in  general,   which  computed 

gives  a  total  of 

The  house  lots,  not  paying  land  tax,  have  brought  in 

In  wampum 

In  coin 

In  coin 

The  excise  on  wine  and  beer,  farmed  out,  has  fetched  so  far,  that 
is  to  the  21st  of  November  1662 
In  wampum  » 

In  coin 

The  revenue  is  altogether 
Remains  a  balance  of 

The  outlays  for  the  Minister's  house. 

Bricks,  tiles,   lime,  boards,  wainscoting,  slating,  iron,  hinges,    Idcks 

and  nails  and  every  thing  required  for  it 

In  wampum  680.  5. 

In   coin  953.13. 

All  reduced  to  coin  1293.15.  8 

Paid   for   wages   of  the   carpenters   and   masons,    hod   carrier,    for 

freight  of  bricks,  tiles,  boards  to  this  place. 

In  wampum  1387.  5. 

In  c6in  570. 

Reduced  to  coin  1263.12.  8 


fl  1312.10  coin 

272  fl 

136 

136. 

,  that 

1003.18. 

1505.17. 

669.  5.  6 

2117.16.   6 

889.11.10 

1661 


49 G  Ecclesiastical  Recokds  ■' 

Board  for  the  carpenters,  masons  and  the  hod  carrier  altogether 

In  coin  450. 

Total  in  wampum  fl  2067.10 

Total   in  coin  1973.13 

The  wampum  reduced  and  added  to  the  coin  makes  it  fl  3007.  8 

Besides  the  above  there  must  be  paid  to  the  Court  Messenger,  for  the  making 
and  keeping  in  repair  of  the  gates,  to  Juriaen  Westvael  for  hire  of  the  house  of 
Domine  Hermanns  Blom,  who  lived  in  his  upper  room,  80  florins. —  Col.  Docs.  N. 
Y.  xiii.  229,  230. 

Return  of  Moneys  paid  for  the  Colonie  on  the  Delaware  River. 

Return  of  the  monthly  payments  here  by  the  Directors  for  the  government  of 
the  Colonie  of  New  Amstel,  in  New  Netherland,  from  the  18th  of  November,  1659,. 
to  the  3rd  of  November,  1662. 


1660,  December  24th. 
Domine  Everardus  Welius,  clergyman,  No.  49,  fl.  800.  0.  0 


1661,  January  26th. 
Domine  Everardus  Welius,   clergyman,   No.   59,   fl.  1,713.  6.  8. —  Col.   Docs.   N,   Y. 
ii.  179,  180,  181. 


Council  Minute.    Proceedings  Against  Quakers  at  Jamaica^ 
Long  Island.     Land  at  Flatbush. 

Anno  1661.    In  the  name  of  the  Lord,  Amen. 
(First  entry  in  the  Council  Minutes  for  1661.) 

Whereas  some  inhabitants  of  Rustdorp  have  urgently  requested  that  one  of  the 
clergymen  of  this  City  come  over  some  day,  to  preach  and  baptize  several  children; 
and  whereas  his  Honor,  the  Director  General,  has  been  informed  by  letters  from 
said  village  and  from  Vlissingen  and  Middelborgh,  that  members  of  the  sect,  called 
Quakers,  have  uncommonly  free  access  to  the  house  of  one  Henry  Touwensen  of 
said  village,  who  was  therefore  arrested  a  few  days  ago. 

Domine  Samuel  Driesius  and  the  Under  Schout  were  to-day  sent  there  with  the 
following  letter,  to  obtain  better  information  about  it. 

Lovinge  Friends: 

Uppon  petition  of  sum  of  yow  beeinge  desirous  that  theyre  Children  might  be 
Baptysed,  we  have  sent  one  of  our  Ministers,  to  witt:  Mr.  Samuel  Driesius  and 
Whereas  we  credibly  were  informed  that  if  the  quaeckers  and  other  sects  contra 
to  Order  and  Law  private  Conventickles  had  been  kept,  We  have  sent  our  substi- 
tute Scholt  and  one  of  our  Clercques  for  to  tacke  notice  of  it  —  Requiringe  and 
Orderinge  you  by  these  presents  that  you  shall  give  unto  them,  an  Exact  account 
and  true  Information  ware  it  wath  house,  such  unlawful  conventicles  ware  kept, 
and  wath  persons  therein  had  Exercysed,  wath  persons  —  men,  or  womman  there 
had  been  present  —  and  which  person  the  meetinge  did  call,  and  further  of  all 
Circumstances  belonginge  to  it.     So  after  my  Love  I  shall  Rest. 

Your  lovinge  friend  and  Governour 
Amsterdam  in  the  New  Netherland, 
this  8th  day  of  January  Anno  1661. 

Domine  Drisius,  Resolveert  Waldron,  the  Provost  and  Nicolaes  Bayard,  Clerk, 
proceeded  pursuant  to  the  foregoing  letter  to  Rustdrop,  last  Saturday,  the  8th  of 
January,  where  they  arrived  in  the  evening.  Domine  Drisius  preached  twice  the 
next  day  and  baptized  eight  children  and  two  aged   women.     The  Under  Schout 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  497 

had  meanwhile  been  Informed,  that  a  meeting  of  Quakers  was  being  held  at 
Gravesend,  and  in  Company  of  Nicolaes  Bayard  went  there  early  on  Monday  morn- 
ing, but  the  Quaker  had  escaped.  They  returned  to  this  place  in  the  evening,- 
bringing  with  them  the  Quaker's  cloak  and  Sam  Spycer,  because  he  with  several 
others  had  not  only  followed  and  listened  to  the  Quaker  in  several  conventicles, 
but  also  entertained  him  in  his  mother's  house.  They  further  brought  the  follow- 
ing notice  and  the  list  of  persons  who  were  present  at  the  Quaker  meeting: 

Notition  of  the  names  that  have  been  In  the  meeting  of  the  quaecker,  named. 
N,  N.  in  the  hou«e  of  Henry  Townsen  given  up  to  us  by  Mr.  Ritchard  Everett  and 
Nathaniell  Denton: 

1  Henry  Towensen  hath  been  a  warninge  the  people  from  doore  to  doore  or 
they  would  nott  come  to  his  house  for  their  was  a  learned  man. 

1  Sam  Spicer      j.  ^^  Qravesande.  »'- 

1  Goedie  Tilton  ) 

1  Sam  Andries 

1  Ritchard  Harcker  '  f 

2  Samuel  Deen  and  his  wife 
2  John  Townson  and  his  wife 

1  Ritchard  Brittnell  ^ 

1  Ritchard  Chasmoor 
persons  11 

Thus  testifyed  in  the  presence  of  Resolveert  Waldron  in  the  house  of  Ritchara 
Everett  att  Rustdrop  this  9th  of  January  Anno  1661.  was  underwritten 

V  Richard  Everett 

I  Nathaniell  Denton. 

Nota^:     The  name  of  the  Quaker  above  mentioned  is  George  Wilson. 

^  January  13th,  Thursday. 

Present  his  Honor,  the  Director  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  and  the  Councillors 
Nicasius  de  Sille  and  Johan  de  Deckere.  i 

To  their  Honors,  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. 


1661 


Nicasius  de  Sille,  ex-officio  Plaintiff  against  Henry  Townsend  and  Sam  Spicer, 
prisoners.  , 

The  plaintiff  asserts  and  proves  by  trustworthy  witnesses,  that  Henry  Townsend 
has  not  only  lodged  Quakers,  but  also  informed  his  neighbors  and  others,  that  a 
Quaker  was  at  his  house  and  asked  them  to  come  and  hear  him.  He  has  admitted, 
that  the  Quaker  preached  at  his,  Townsend's  house  in  his  presence  and  that  the 
said  Sam  Spicer  was  present  at  the  meeting  of  the  Quakers  not  only  in  Rustdrop, 
but  also  at  Gravesend  and  that  he  lodged  them  in  his  mother's  house,  contrary  to 
the  placat,  published  against  conventicles  and  separate  gatherings.  The  planntiff 
therefore,  demands,  that  the  prisoners  be  condemned  to  a  fine  of  six  hundred 
florins  each,  conformably  to  the  placat.*  The  defendants  were  asked,  whether 
they  acknowledged,  what  the  Fiscal  charges  against  them,  and  answered  that  they 
would  not  oifiminate  themselves,  but  the  charge  had  to  be  reproved.  The  Fiscal 
having  done  it,  they  brought  forward  many  frivolous  excuses;  that  they  had  only 
called  on  their  friends,  that  no  law  forbade  friends  to  meet  each  other,  etc.  As 
they  gave  no  pertinent  answer,  the  Fiscal  was  directed  to  give  them  a  copy  of 
his  charge  and  demand  for  sentence,  to  which  they  are  to  give  answer  on  the  next 
court  day.     They  were  then  taken  back  to  their  confinement.     Date  as  abovef 


•  Law  of  Feb.  1,  1656.     Laws  of  New  Netherland,  p.  211. 

t  Other  fines:  Henry  Townsend  was  condemned  to  a  fine  of  25  pounds  Flemish; 
Sam  Spicer,  12  pounds;  John  Tilton  of  Gravesend  and  John  Townsend  of  Jamaica 
were  banished  and  Mrs.  Micah  Spicer,  Sam's  mother  was  acquitted,  not  knowing 
George  Wilson  was  a  Quaker. 

32 


498 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1661 


Loovinge  Friend. 

"Whereas  the  Experiancy  from  tyme  to  tyme  to  our  great  displeasure  and  Con- 
tempt hath  shewed  us  that  our  act  and  Orders,  set  forth  against  all  the  separate 
Conventicles  were  not  kept  and  observed,  according  to  the  tenor  of  our  good  Inten- 
tions, Especially  among  you  in  the  Towne  of  Rustdrop,  moore  that  some  in  whom 
we  had  put  trust  and  authority  doth  connive  with  the  Sect  called  quaeckers,  giving 
Entertainment  unto  their  Scatteringe  preachers,  leave  and  way  unto  their  unlaw- 
ful meetings  and  prohibited  Conventicles;  all  which  doeings  tending  to  the  Sub- 
version of  good  Lawes  Orders  and  of  the  protestant  Religion,  and  Contempt  of 
our  Authority,  for  the  Maintenance  whereof  we  are  necessitated  to  put  such  per- 
sons, in  the  Roome  of  others  amongst  you  as  wee  hope  and  are  perswaded  thatl 
will  for  the  good  of  the  Country  and  protestant  cause,  (See  our  acts  and  Orders 
better  kept  and  observed  videllicit)  and  by  name  Ritchard  Everett,  Nathaniel 
Denton  and  Andrew  Messenger,  which  persons  are  ordeyned  and  lawfule  Magis- 
trates yow  all  shall  give  due  Respect  and  obedience,  and  Lykewise  all  assistance 
and  helpe  Uppon  their  command  in  the  Maintaining  of  our  aforementioned  Orders, 
sett  forth  against  all  private  and  unlawful  Conventicles,  for  the  better  helpe  and 
maintenance  of  the  premises  and  for  hindering  all  prohibited  Conventicles  soo  in 
the  Town  of  Rustdrop  as  others  there  about  If  need  and  occasion  should  Require, 
Wee  have  also  sent  halfe  a  dossyn  of  our  Souldiers,  which  you  are  to  furnish  with 
Convenient  Lodgeinge  and  diet  untill  further  order.  So  after  our  love  we  rest. 

Your  Lovinge  Friend  and  Gouernour, 

P.    Stuyvesant. 
Amsterdam  in  the 

New  Netherlands  this  24th 

of  January  Anno  1661. 

Wee  whose  names  are  underwritten  doe  by  these  presents  promise  and  engage 
that  if  any  meetings  or  Conventicles  off  quakers  shall  be  in  the  Towne  of  Rustdrop, 
that  wee  know,  we  shall  give  information  to  ye  authority  set  up  in  place  by  the 
Gouernor  and  alsoe  assist  ye  authority  ofE  ye  Towne  against  any  such  person  or 
persons  called  quakers  as  need  shall  require.  Witness  our  hands  this  eleventh  ofC 
February  Anno  1661  stylo  novo. 


Thomas  T  ffoster 
Luke  Wattson 
Sameiall  Smith 
Rodger  X  Linas 
Richard  R  Chasmore 
John        Rhodes 
Henry  Steres 
Morace  Smith 


Richard  Everitt 
Nathaniell  Denton 
Andrew  Messenger,  his        mark 
Abraham  Smith,  his        mark 
Samuell  Mathews 
Robert  Coo 

'Benjamin  Coe,  his        mark 
William  Horten 
George  M  Mills 
Thomas  T  Wiggins 


Written  by  Daniell  Denton,  Clarck. 
Right  Worshipfull.  » 

These  presents  are  to  sertefy  your  honoure  that  acordeing  to  your  derections  we 
have  proseded  and  called  the  Towne  together  and  propownded  unto  them  acordeing 
as  you  may  see  written  and  desired  them  to  set  to  their  hands:  and  accordingly 
as  they  was  willing  they  dide  subscribe  as  you  may  see  in  the  Inclosed  which 
are  more  in  number  than  we  dide  exspect  but  the  course  that  your  honoure  has 
taken  to  prevent  such  meetings  of  quakers  amongst  us  hath  formerly  bene  we  judge 
has  caused  many  to  doe  that  which  otherwise  they  would  not  have  done:  yefc 
notwithstanding  there  are  many  that  have  not  subscribed  whose  names  if  your 
honoure  desire  to  know  we  shall  send  them  downe  at  your  request:  soe  akcownet- 
ing  ourselves  much  obliged  to  your  honoure  for  your  diligent  care  taken  for  the 
preventing  of  the  quakers  for  haveing  any  interment  or  liberty  to  divulge  theire 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  499 

herises  amongst  us  we  humbly  crave  that  your  honoure  would  be  pleased  to  take 
into  consideration  our  conditions  that  have  kept  your  soldiers  all  this  time  that 
we  may  not  suffer  for  other  mens  selfe  wildnes  and  if  your  honoure  sese  cause* 
that  your  souldiers  shall  stay  any  longer  amongst  us  we  humbly  entreat  you  that 
you  would  send  order  that  they  might  be  pleased  elsewhere  and  if  you  se  cause  to 
send  for  them  home  if  there  be  anything  that  your  honoure  sese  cause  to  require 
of  us  to  doe  in  the  plases  you  hade  set  us  we  shall  indevoure  to  doe  according  to 
your  derections  with  appreciation  of  all  hapines  to  your  honoure  we  humbly  take 
our  leavse  and  shall  remaine  your  loyall  subjections  to  our  power. 

Richard  Everitt 
Nathaniell  Denton. 

February  the  11th  Anno  1661. 

Upon  better  consideration  we  have  set  down  the  names  of  those  that  would  not 
subscribe.  i 

John  Townsend,  Samuell  Andrewse, 

Richarde  Harkar,  Benjamin  Hubbarde, 

Samuell  Deine,  Nathaniell  Cole. 

Lovinge  friends. 

•   By  the  Bearers  Wee  have  Received  your  letter  and  al  soo  the  Engagement  of  the 

most  part  of  the  Inhabitants  for  to  oppose  and  to  hinder  the  unlawfull  Conventicles 

of  the  quaeckers  and  all  other  prohibited  meetings,  wee  hope  the  performancy  thereof 

and  according  to  former  petition,   we  free  by  these  presents  the  Subscrators  of 

the  Souldiers  provided  that  they  until  further  order,  shall  be  lodged  and  furnished 

with  decent  meete  and  vittells,  by  those  that  still  our  acts  and  orders  does  oppose, 

Orderinge  by  these  presents  the  Magistrates  to  see  these  put  in  Execution  so  after 

my  love  I  Rest. 

Your  lovinge  Friend  and  Governour. 

Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland, 

this  15th  of  February  Anno  1661.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  T.  xiv.  489,  490,  491,  492,  493. 

Act  of  the  States  General  and  Conditions  Offered  by  the 
Dutch  West  India  Company  to  Settlers  in  ISTew  ]^ether- 

LAND. 

1661. 
The  States  Generall  of  the  United  Provinces, 

To  all  who  these  presents  shall  see  or  hear  read,  doe  make  knowne;  that  wee 
have  condiscended  and  permitted  as  wee  doe  by  these  condiscend  &  permitt  all 
Christian  people  of  tender  conscience  in  England  or  elsewhere,  oppressed,  full 
liberty  to  erect  a  Colony  in  the  West  Indies  between  New  England  and  Virginia 
in  America,  now  within  the  jurisdiction  of  Peter  Stivazent  the  States  Generall's 
Governor  for  the  West  India  Company,  on  the  conditions  &  priviledges  graunted 
by  the  Committees  of  the  respective  chambers  representing  the  Assembly  of  the 
XIX.  doe  therefore  order  charge  and  command  all  and  every  one  whom  these  may 
concerne,  that  they  shall  not  in  any  wise  hinder  the  said  people  nor  any  of  them 
or  any  whom  they  shall  or  might  send  with  knowledge  of  the  said  Company;  but 
contrarywise  afford  unto  any  and  all  of  them  all  favorable  heipe  and  assistance, 
where  it  shall  be  needful;  for  wee  have  found  it  to  bee  good  for  the  Company. 
Given  att  the  Hage  under  our  Scale  paraphura,  and  signed  by  our  Griffier  the  14th 
day  of  February  Anno  Domini  1661. 

Abstract  of  Conditions. 

A  grant  of  land  fifteen  leagues  along  the  sea-coast,  and  as  far  inland  as  any  other 
colony;  free  property  of  said  colony;  to  have  their  own  Courts;  no  poll  tax  for 
three  years;  and  mineral,  free  of  duty  for  twenty  years;  no  duty  on  imports  for 


1661 


1661 


500  Ecclesiastical  Records 

ten  years;  free  exports  for  ten  years;  own  their  own  ships  independently  of  West 
India  Company;  may  have  their  own  Director,  but  must  issue  all  writs  in  the  name 
of  the  States  General. 

Description   of  the   land  and   its  products  is  then   given;    "  great   profit   to  bee* 
derived   from   traflJque   with   the   natives,    who   are   naturally   a   wild   people,   very 
capable,  and  by  the  grace  of  God  to  be  drawn  out  of  their  blind  ignorance  to  the 

saving  light  of  Jesus  Christ  "  "  Therefore  if  any  of  the  English, 

good  Christians   shall  bee  rationally  disposed  to  transport  themselves 

to  the  said  place  under  the  conduct  of  the  United  States  (of  Holland)  shall  have 
full  liberty  to  live  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,   and  upon  the  aforesaid  good  condi- 
tions  shall   be   likewise   curteously   used. —  Doc.    Hist.    N.    Y.    iii.    37-39.     See  also 
O'Callaghan  ii.  444. 

Council  Minute.  The  Inhabitants  of  ^N^ewtown,  L.  I.,  Pe- 
tition, THAT  They  May  Use  the  Minister's  House  ani> 
Glebe  for  School  Purposes. 

To   the  honorable   Lord   Stuyvesant,    Lord   generall   of  the   New   Netherlands,    the 
humble  petition  oflE  your  Lordships  petitioners: — 

That  whereas  God  hath  beene  pleased  off  laet  years  to  deprive  us  off  Middle- 
borrow,  of  Long  eylandt,  off  the  publyck  meanes  of  grace  and  salvation;  and  alsoo 
off  Education  off  our  children,  in  Scholasticall  discipline,  the  way  to  true  happi- 
nesse;  but  yet  God  in  mercy  off  laet  hath  provided,  for  us  a  helpe  meete  for  the' 
discipline  of  education  of  our  children;  and  by  the  same  person  helpe  in  the* 
Sabbath  exercys:  wee  therefore,  who  never  gave  nor  consented  to  the  giveinge  of 
the  howsinge  and  Lands,  built  and  fenced  in,  and  alsoo  dedicated  for  the  Use  of 
the  publyce  dispensation  off  God's  word  unto  us,  wee  humbly  intreat  your  honor- 
able Lordshipe  that  this  our  said  Schoolmaster  Richard  Mills  by  name  may  bee* 
by  your  Lordshipps  order  be  possessed  of  the  said  housinge  and  Lands,  for  hist 
use  and  ours  also,  for  our  childrens  education  and  the  Saboths  exercyse,  the  which 
God  doeth  require,  and  wee  have  neede  for  us  and  our  children  thereof:  as  the. 
housinge  now  Stand  it  is  licke  all  to  goe  to  racke  and  ruyne,  the  fences  faellinge 
downe,  the  house  and  barn  decayinge  and  wanteth  repayre  and  Francis  Dowtye 
doeth  not  repayre  it,  nor  the  towne,  as  it  stands  betweene  him  and  them,  will- 
not  repayre  it,  and  by  this  meanes  is  like  to  come  to  nothing  in  a  shorte  time: 
and  soo  wee  and  your  Lordshippe  alsoo  by  this  meanes  shall  be  disappointed: 
therefore  our  humble  request  is  to  your  Lordshippe,  is  that  this  our  schoolmaster, 
and  at  present  our  souls  helpe  in  dispencinge  Gods  word  to  us  and  our  children 
cveryre  Lord's  day,  may  be  settled  in  it,  to  enjoye  it  without  any  molestation 
from  Francis  Doughty,  or  any  of  his,  for  soo  lonce  time  as  God  shall  be  pleased 
to  Continue  him  amongst  us,  or  to  provyde  another  for  us  thus  knowinge  that* 
your  Lordshipp  is  willinge  to  further  Our  Souls  good  as  wel  as  our  bodyes,  Wee 
rest  your  Lordships  humble  petisioners  and  humble  subjects 

Thomas  Hunte  Mary  Ryder 

Francis  Swayne  John  Banker 

James  Bradish  John  Laurisen 

James        Lawrensen  Thomas  Cornish 

Nicolas  Carter  Samuel  Toe. 

This  petition  having  been  presented  to  the  Director  General,  his  Honor  answered 
as  follows:  • 

These  presence  doeth  requiere  and  order  Francys  Doughty,  and  whom  it  may 
Concerne,  to  give  and  graunt  a  quyett  possession  unto  the  present  Schoolmaster 
Mr.   Richard  Mills  off  the  house  and  Land,   Beeinge  with  our  knowledge   Consent 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  501 

and  helpe,  buildt  for  the  publick  use  of  the  ministry,  and  by  that  means  it  may 

nor  cannot   be  given   and  transported  for  a  privaet   heerytadge,   provyded   if   hee 

either  his   wyfe,    hath   to   demand   any   remaynder   of   meanes   or   wages,    of   her 

deceased  husband,   Mr.   John  Moor,   laet  Minister  of  the  aforementioned  towne  is 

being   made   apeer,    these   presence   doeth   order   the   Magistrates   and    Inhabitants 

of  the   sayde   towne  to  give  unto  the  heyres,    what   is  done  unto  them.     Actum* 

Amsterw.  in  the  New  Netherlands,  this  18th  of  February  Anno  1661.—  Col.  Docs. 

N.  Y.  xiv.  496. 

'.  P.  Stuyvesant. 

Eev.  Deisius  Sent  to  Hempstead  to  Baptize  Children. 

To  the  Magestrates  and  Inhabitants  of  Heemesteede. 
Post  Script: 

Whereas  wee  by  the  Bearers  were  Informed  that  by  want  of  a  Minister  now 
soo  longe  Continued  many  children  amongst  you  were  unbaptized  —  we  are  Re- 
solved to  send  with  the  first  opportunity  One  of  our  Ministers  (to  witt:)  Mr.' 
Driesius  to  administraet  that  Sacrament  unto  those  that  accordinge  to  the  word 
and  order  of  God  are  desirous  of  itt,  hoopinge  and  not  doubtinge  that  you  "will 
use  ail  possibell  means  that  the  towne  may  tymely  be  supplyed  with  an  able  and 
orthodox  Minister  to  the  Edification  of  God's  glorie  and  your  owne  Salvation,  soo 
after  my  Love  I  Rest  ut  supra. 

Pursuant  to  the  promise,  made  to  the  people  of  the  village  of  Hemstead  on  the 
25th  of  February,  Domine  Samuel  Drisius  proceeded  to  that  place  on  the  12th  of 
March  and  after  the  sermon  baptized  forty  one  children  and  an  aged  woman. — 
Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  497. 

Contract  Between  Thomas  Chambers  and  Other  Inhabit- 
ants OF  Esopus  AND  Eev.  Hermanus  Bloem. 

The  undersigned  inhabitants  of  the  settlement  at  the  place  called  Esopus,  promise 

to  give  our  Reverend  Minister  Hermanus  Bloem  as  salary  for  the  first  year  (which 

salary   has  commenced   with   his  arrival   here  on  the  5th   of   September  1660)   the* 

sum   of   seven   hundred   guilders   in   corn,    at   beaver   valuation,    in   case   his   farm 

should  fail  and   we  promise  further  to  put  the  farm  in  good  order  according  to' 

contract,  as  soon  as  the  land  has  been  allotted  and  to  raise  that  sum  at  the  latest 

for  the  coming  farming  season.     This  we,  the  undersigned,  promise  faithfully  and 

truly  to  do.     Thus  done  the  4th  of  March  1661. 

Thomas  Chambers 

Cornelis  Bare^sten  Slecht 

The  mark  of  Gertruy  Andries 

Roeloflf  Swartwout 

Alaerdt  Heymensen  Roose 

The  mark  of  Juriaen  Westvael 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  194. 

Cpiuech  of  Midwout  Petition  for  Assistance. 

To  the  Noble  Director  General  and  the  Honorable  Council  of  New  Netherland. 

Humbly   show  the  undersigned,   that   we  have  gratefully  received   fl.415.10  —  as 

a  subsidy  for  our  Church,  but  that  we  are  still  indebted  to 

Mr.  Jacob  N.,  the  barber  for fl.  77 

our  Schoolmaster  Renier "    32 

and  to  a  skipper,  Sander  N "    81 

i  

total fl  190 

which  we  had  hoped  to  pay  out  of  the  money  due  us;  but  as  it  has  not  been  paid. 


1661 


1661 


502  Ecclesiastical  Records 

we  are  compelled,  to  turn  again  to  your  Honors  and  respectfully  to  request,  that 
these  debts  be  discharged.     Which  doing  etc. 

In  the  name  of  the  whole  community. 

Joh.  Theo.  Polhemius 

Jan  Strycker. 
Midwout,  the  29th  of 
March,  16G1. 

A  vote  was  taken  and  the  following  answer  given: 

When  the  treasury  has  suflacient  funds,  the  petitioners  shall  be  paid  by  the» 
Receiver,  on  behalf  of  the  Company  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  Church,  one  half  of 
the  above  amount.     Date  as  above. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable  Director  General  of  New  Netherland  and  his  Council. — 
Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  499. 


Ordinance  of  N^ew  Amsterdam  About  Weighing  Goods. 

1661,   April  11. 

Goods  for  religious  and  charitable  purposes  not  to  be  charged 

for  weighing. 


Only  the  goods  and  merchandises  which  are  brought  to,  or  received  at  the 
weighing  house,  and  belong  to  the  Hon.  (West  India)  Company,  to  this  city,  to' 
the  Board  of  Deacons  and  other  Charitable  Institutions,  being  really  and  trulyi 
their  property,  and  to  be  converted  to  their  use,  shall  be  exempt  from  the  fee 
for  weighing;  all  which  the  Weigh-master  must  weigh  gratis  and  for  God's  sake. — 
Laws  etc.  New  Netherland,  393. 


Directors  to  Stuyvesant. 

1661,  Maj  2. 

Evert  Pietersen  appointed  Schoolmaster. 

The  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  department  of  Amsterdam,  to  the- 
honorable,  prudent,  beloved,  trusty  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director  General  and 
Council,   make  known: 

Whereas  we  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  promote  religious  worship,  and  to  read 
to  the  inhabitants  the  Word  of  God,  to  exhort  them,  to  lead  them  in  the  ways  of 
the  Lord,  and  console  the  sick,  that  an  expert  person  was  sent  to  New  Netherland 
in  the  city  of  New  Amsterdam,  who  at  the  same  time  should  act  there  as  Chorister 
and  Schoolmaster;  so  it  is,  that  we,  upon  the  good  report  which  we  have  received 
about  the  person  of  Evert  Pietersen,  and  confiding  in  his  abilities  and  experience 
in  the  aforesaid  services,  together  on  his  pious  character  and  virtues,  have,  on  your 
Honor's  recommendation,  and  that  of  the  magistrates  of  the  city  of  New  Amster- 
dam, appointed  the  aforesaid  person  as  Consoler  of  the  sick,  Chorister  and  School- 
master at  New  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherlands,  which  charge  he  shall  fulfil  there, 
and  conduct  himself  in  these  with  all  diligence  and  faithfulness;  so  as  we  expect 
that  he  shall  give  others  a  good  example,  so  a«  it  becomes  a  pious  and  good  Con- 
soler, Clerk,  Chorister  and  Schoolmaster;  regulating  himself  in  conformity  to  the 
Instructions  which  he  received  here  from  the  Consistory,  and  principally  to  the  in- 
structions which  he  received  from  us,  which  he  shall  execute  in  every  point  faith- 
fully; wherefore,  we  command  all  persons,  without  distinction,  to  acknowledge  the 
aforesaid  Evert  Pietersen  as  Consoler,  Clerk,   Chorister  and  Schoolmaster  in  New 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  503 

Amsterdam  in  New  Netherlands,  and  not  to  molest,  disturb  or  ridicule  him  In  any 

of  these  offices,  but  rather  to  offer  him  every  assistance  in  their  power,  and  deliver 

him  from  every  painful   sensation,   by  which  the  will  of  the   Lord  and  our  good 

intentions  shall  be  accomplished. 

Done  by  the  Department  of  Amsterdam,  on  the  2nd  of  May,  1661. 

\  (Signed),  Abram   Wilmerdoncx. 

i  By  order  of  him, 

C.  Van  Deventer. —  Dunshee,  27. 
Lower  stood. 

Directors  to  Stuyvesant. 

;  1661,  May  9. 

Honorable,  prudent,  beloved  Trustees:  Our  last  was  the  11th  of  April,  by  the  way 
of  Curacoa,  of  which  we  now  have  enclosed  the  duplicate;  since  which  period  noth- 
ing has  occurred  here  of  consequence  —  i.  e.,  which  deserves  to  be  mentioned  —  as 
only,  that  we  have  engaged,  on  your  Honor's  recommendation  and  that  of  the 
magistrates  of  the  city  of  New  Amsterdam,  Mr.  Evert  Pietersen  as  schoolmaster 
and  clerk  upon  a  salary  of  g.  36  per  month  ($15),  and  g.  125  ($52+  )  annually  for  his 
board,  who  is  now  embarked  in  the  ship  the  Gilded  Beaver,  but  not  with  his  wife, 
whose  indisposition,  as  he  said,  prevented  her  departure.  And  whereas  he  solicited 
to  be  supplied  with  some  books  and  stationery,  which  would  be  of  service  to  him 
in  that  station,  so  did  we  resolve  to  send  you  a  sufficient  quantity  of  these  articles, 
as  your  honor  may  see  from  the  Invoice.  Your  honor  ought  not  to  place  all  these 
at  his  disposal  at  once,  but  from  time  to  time,  when  he  may  be  in  want  of  these, 
when  his  account  ought  directly  to  be  charged  with  Its  amount;  so,  too,  he  must 
be  charged  with  all  such  books  of  which  he  may  be  In  want  as  a  consoler  of  the 
sick,  which  he  might  have  obtained  from  your  Honor,  which  afterwards,  might  be 
reimbursed  to  him,  whenever  he,  ceasing  to  serve  In  that  capacity,  might  return 
these;  all  this  must  be  valued  at  the  Invoice  price. —  Dunshee,  28. 


Charter  of  Esopus. 

1661,  May  16. 

Judges  to  be  of  tlie  Reformed  Religion. 

It  Is,  therefore,  necessary,  so  that  everything  may  be  effected  with  due  order  and 
respect,  that  there  be  chosen  as  judges,  honest  Intelligent  persons  possessing  real 
estate,  peaceable  men,  good  subjects  to  their  Lords  and  Patroons,  and  the  high 
administration  appointed  by  them  In  this  country,  professors  of  the  reformed 
religion,  as  It  is  now  preached  In  the  United  Netherlandish  churches.  In  conformity 
to  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  order  of  the  Synod  of  Dordrecht;  which  court  of 
justice  for  the  present  time,  till  otherwise  shall  be  ordained  by  the  aforesaid  Lords 
Patroons  In  their  authorized  administration,  shall  consist  of  a  Sheriff,  being  In 
loco,  who  shall  summon  In  the  name  of  the  Director  General  and  Council,  the 
appointed  Schepens,  and  preside  at  their  meeting:  Laws  of  New  Netherland,  396. — 
O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  II.,  433. 

The  Church  of  JSTew  Amsterdam  to  the  West  India  Com- 
pany, Under  Date  of  1661,  (Spring). 

This  letter  related  to  the  settling  of  another  pastor  in  New  Amsterdam.  Mega- 
polensls  and  Drlsius  were  becoming  old.  This  letter  referred  to  In  letter  of  Dec. 
16,  1661.     None  was  obtained  until  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensls  settled  there  in  1664. 


1661 


1661 


504  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Cr^ssrs  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.     1661,  May  23rd.     Eev.  Mr.  Lyendecker 

in  the  Chair. 

Letters  from  Xew  IS^etherland,  read. 

A  communication  was  rea,d  from  Rev.  Polhemius,  of  'New 
!N^etherland,  dated  Sept.  29,  1660,  giving  information  of  the  pros- 
perity of  the  Church  there. 

A  communication  from  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius,  of  Kew  iNTether- 
land,  dated  Oct.  4,  1660,  was  read.  He  announced  that  Rev. 
Blom  is  settled  in  his  church  at  Esopus,  and  Rev.  Selyns  at  Brook- 
lyn, each  having  been  received  Avith  joy.  And  because  this  letter 
embraces  certain  difficulties  concerning  the  word  "  Here  ''  in  the 
Formula  for  Holy  Baptism,  and  concerning  a  certain  Mennonist 
who  would  join  the  church,  we  will  communicate  the  same  to  the 
Rev.  Classis. 

A  letter  was  also  read  from  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats  of  Bever- 
wyck,  in  New  ^etherland,  near  Fort  Orange,  dated  Sept.  22,  1660. 
He  announces  that  the  Lutherans  are  taking  up  subscriptions  for 
the  support  of  a  Lutheran  minister,  asserting  that  permission  was 
granted  them  by  the  Directors.  This  must  result  in  harm  to  the 
Reformed  Church  at  that  place,  where  now  everything  goes  on 
quietly  and  to  edification.  A  remedy  is  requested.  The  matter 
will  be  brought  before  the  Classis. 

Rev.  Mr.  Selyns  writes  under  date  of  Oct.  4,  1660.  He  informs 
us  of  his  journey,  arrival  and  installation,  (or  presentation)  as 
well  as  the  condition  of  the  church  in  Brooklyn.  Everything  is 
in  good  order  there,    xx.  421. 

Rev.  Sam.  Megapolensis. 

1661,  May  30th. 

Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis,  SS.  Theol.  Cand.,  has  asked  to  be 
accepted  as  a  recommended  Candidate.      Good  testimonials  from 


OF  THE  State  of  [NTew  York.  505 

the  Rev.  Classis  of  Haarlem  having  been  read  concerning  him, 
and  he  having  delivered  a  trial  sermon  before  the  Deputies, 
his  request  was  granted,  after  the  usual  subscription  (of  the 
formulae.)     He  lives  at  Vianen  (in  South  Holland),     vi.  228. 

Those  Baptized  by  Mennonists,  not  to  be  Rebaptized. 

1661,  May  30th. 

The  church  of  'New  Amsterdam  in  the  Manhatans  asks  whether 
a  certain  former  Mennonist,  baptized  when  an  adult  by  the  Men- 
nonists, but  now  converted  to  the  true  Religion,  pious  in  life, 
diligent  in  the  hearing  of  God's  word,  desiring  to  be  received  as 
a  member  of  the  Church,  ought  to  be  fii^t  rebaptized  in  our 
Church.  It  is  understood  not  to  be  necessary,  according  to  a 
resolution  of  Synod.  This  shall  be  written  to  the  brethren. 
vi.  230 ;  xix.  72,  73. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Casus  regarding  Holy  Baptism  in  the  West  Indies. 

1661,  June  7th. 

The  Brethren  in  the  West  Indies  have  made  known  to  the 
Classis  by  writing,  that  the  Honorable  Directors  had  written  to 
them  that  henceforth  in  the  questions  in  Holy  Baptism  they 
should  leave  out  the  word  '^  Here  ",  (Alhier),  inasmuch  as  the 
Lutherans  are  so  greatly  offended  thereat,  that  for  that  very  rea- 
son they  neglect  to  bring  their  children  to  be  baptized  in  our 
churches,  as  they  would  otherwise  do.  That  their  Honors  had 
also  sent  over  some  old  copies  (of  the  Form)  in  wliich  the  w^ord 
'^  Here  "  is  omitted.  Their  Honors  had  also  let  them  know  ex- 
pressly that  they  were  to  expect  no  other  order  in  regard  to  this 
matter  from  these  provinces,  nor  were  they  to  follovx^  any  other; 
that  thereupon,  in  the  churches  there,  the  intent  of  the  com- 
mand of  the  Hon.  Directors,  is  obsen^ed,  on  account  of  the  im- 


1661 


1661 


506  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

portance  of  the  subject  the  Assembly  postponed  action  thereon 
until  the  next  session,     vi.  231,  232;  xix.  73. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.     Michael  Siperus. 

1661,  July  1st. 

It  was  reported  in  a  communication  from  Alkmaer,  in  a  letter 
shown  to  Rev.  Winkelig,  that  Michael  Cornelisz.  Siperus,  while 
employed  in  the  school  there,  had  led  a  very  bad  life;  that  he 
had  fallen  into  many  very  grievous  faults,  and  for  these  had  been 
rebuked  in  the  presence  of  the  entire  Gymnasium.  He  had  here 
and  there  made  purchases  in  the  name  of  the  Rector,  and  had 
then  taken  these  to  the  pawnshop,  etc.  These  facts  shall  be 
made  known  to  the  Classis.    xx.  423. 

CouET  Minutes  of  'N'ew  Amsterdam. 
Alexander  C.  Curtius  Offers  to  Teach  Latin. 

1661,  July  12. 

Alexander  Carolus  Curtius  communicates  in  writing  the  offer  of  his  services,  if 
this  City  will  contribute  to  him  six  hundred  guilders  a  year  in  beavers,  on  con- 
dition of  receiving  no  contribution  from  the  youth.  Whereupon  serves  as  marginal 
order: — Burgomasters  and  Schepens  refer  the  petitioner  to  the  Right  Honorable 
Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. —  Early  Records  of  New  Amster- 
dam, Vol.  ill.  344. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

Letter  to  Rev.  Van  Beaumont,  on  Curacoa,  sent  July  9,  1661,  with 

the  ship  "  De  Moor  ''. 

1661,  Julv  8th. 

Copy  of  the  letter  to  Rev.  Adrian  van  Beaumont,  in  the  name 
of  the  Rev.  Classis,  in  reply  to  his  letter,  dated  April  IT,  1660. 

Reverend,    Pious,    Highly    Learned    and    Beloved    Brother    in 
Christ: — 

Your  esteemed  writing,  dated  April  17,  1660,  to  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam  was  communicated  to  it  by  the  Deputies  ad  res 
Indicas.  The  Rev.  Brethren  have  learned  with,  pleasure  of  your 
pious  endeavors,  as  also  of  the  Christian  aid  and  support  given 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  507 

to  tlie  Hon.  Director  of  the  Island,  to  remove  those  obstructions, 
which  had  almost  completely  interrupted  the  stream  of  Divine 
truth,  and  exhibition  of  piety.  We  trust  that  God  the  Lord  has 
crowned  your  faithful  labors  with  his  rich  blessing.  Some  breth- 
ren of  the  Classis  think  that  Michael  Siperus  is  well  known  in 
this  country  as  a  very  unworthy  person.  Further  inquiries  shall 
be  made  in  reference  to  him  and  care  shall  be  taken  for  the  edifi- 
cation of  God's  Church,  in  case  the  people  of  New  Netherland 
have  advanced  him  to  any  church  office.  The  pious  zeal  of  the 
Hon.  Director  against  unnecessary  taverns,  as  indicated  by  the 
salutary  placards  issued  against  the  enormous  sins  emanating  from 
them,  has  been  well  received  by  the  Classis,  which  desires  every- 
where such  pious  patrons.  It  is  to  be  hoped,  (it  stands  to  hope) 
that  much  good  mil  be  done  by  such  means,  which,  very  greatly 
sustain  the  labors  of  faithful  preachers;  may  the  Director  still 
further  seek  to  maintain  the  cause  of  Christ,  unto  the  salvation 
of  many  people,  and  to  the  glory  of  the  Almighty.  Good  fruits 
already  show  themselves  in  the  marked  increase  of  members,  un- 
der your  faithful  labor  in  this  field-work  of  the  Lord  Christ.  That 
increase  is  sure  to  grow  still  more  by  the  careful  instruction  of  the 
tender  youth,  as  the  brethren  are, informed  by  your  letter,  which 
was  very  satisfactory  to  them.  We  hope  that  in  time  you  will  find 
sufficient  material  to  form  a  proper  consistory,  and  to  bring  the 
congregation  into  a  state  of  peace. 

The  request  for  a  capable  schoolmaster  in, the  Spanish  language, 
for  the  instruction  of  the  Indians  in  the  knowledge  of  the  true 
God,  the  brethren  look  upon  as  an  excellent  suggestion.  They 
have  communicated  the  same  to  some  of  the  Directoi-s,  but  see 
very  little  likelihood  of  finding  a  person  calculated  for  such  work. 
We  shall,  however,  use  all  possible  diligence  to  search  for  a  capa- 
ble man,  that  those  poor  blind  people  may  be  enriched  by  the 
light  and  gTace  of  Christ.  The  religious  books  asked  for,  namely, 
a  large  Bible,  two  psalm-books  in  quarto,  some  small ,  testaments 


1661 


1661 


508  Ecclesiastical  Records 

with  Psalm-books,  the  Hon.  Messrs.  Directors  have  agreed  to  send, 
and  we  understand  that  they  have  already  been  shipped. 

As  to  your  inquiry  regarding  the  administration  of  Holy  Bap- 
tism to  the  ISTegroes,  Indians,  and  their  young  children :  —  The 
Classis  deems  it  necessary  that  you  observe  the  good  rule  of  the 
church  here  in  this  land,  where  no  one,  who  is  an  adult,  is  admit- 
ted to  baptism  without  previous  confession  of  his  faith.  Accord- 
ingly the  adult  !N'egToes  and  Indians  must  also  be  previously  in- 
structed and  make  confession  of  their  faith  before  Holy  Baptism 
may  be  administered  to  them.  As  to  their  children,  the  Classis 
answers,  that  as  long  as  the  parents  are  actually  heathen,  although 
they  were  baptized  in  the  gross,  (by  wholesale,  by  the  Papists), 
the  children  may  not  be  baptized,  imless  the  parents  pass  over  to 
Christianity,  and  abandon  heathenism. 

Concluding  heremth  we  commend  you  to  God  and  the  TVord  of 
His  Grace.  "We  pray  the  Great  Lord  of  the  harvest  to  please  to 
bless  your  faithful  labors,  that  many  souls  may  be  won  for  Christ, 
and  be  brought  into  his  eternal  garner.  May  the  grace  of  the 
Lord  encircle  your  person,  your  family,  your  congregation  and 
your  whole  Island  like  a  fiery  wall,  that  no  enemies  may  break 
through,  and  fall  upon  you  to  do  you  any  harm.  Thus  we  wish 
from  the  heart,  and  remain, 

Reverend,  Pious,  Highly  Learned  Brother, 

C.  Schulz,  Pastor  Amst :  and  tempore 
Deputatus  Classis  ad  transmarimas. 
Peter  Grians,  Deputatorum  p.t.  Clerk. —  xx.  425. 

A  Case  of  Marriage. 

Amongst  the  People  called  Quakers  Stated  and  maintained 
Legall  at  ISTothingham  Assizes  the  8th  of  the  6th  mo.  called 
August,  1661. 

The  22nd  day  of  October  1658  William  Ashwell  of  Coddington  in  the  county  of 
Nothingham,  yeoman,  according  to  the  good  order  of  the  people  of  God  called 
Quakers  tooke  to  wife  Anne  Ridge  Daughter  of  Thomas  Ridge  of  North  Collingham 


OF  THE  State  of  Kew  York.  509 

in  the  same  County.     Their  marriage  was  solemnized  In  the  Cltty  of  Llncholne  In 
the  presence  of  Martyn  Mason  William  Garland  William  Willowes  Vincent  Ffother- 
ington  Robert  Shaw  George  Leucas  and  John  Roberts  who  gave  Certificate  thereof 
under  their  hands  in  few  years  after  the  said  marriage  the  said  William  Ashwell 
had  by  his  said  wife  one  Daughter  named  Mary  Ashwell  and  soone  after  Departed 
this  life  intestate;  the  said  Mary  survivinge  the  said  William  Leauinge  a  Copphold 
Estate  of  Inheritance  not  settled  nor  disposed  of  in  his  lifetime;  Mary  his  Daughter 
was  presented  to  the  Mannor  Court  and  accepted  by  the  Tennants  as  next  heir  at 
law  to  her  father  and  so  admitted  Tennant  to  her  Father's  herreditory  Estate;  soone 
after  John  Ashwell  being  the  next  of  kindred  unto  William  the  deceased  made  entry 
and  Claime  to  ye  said    lands  of  Inheritance  as  next  heir  at  law  under  pretence  that 
the   marriage  of  William   with  Anne   his   wife   was   not   Legall   and   so   Mary  the 
Daughter  not  Legittimate  and  so  not  in  capacity  of  Heirshipp  and  thereupon  Com- 
menced the  Suite  at  ye  Common  Law  to  oust  Mary  out  of  the  possession  of  the 
lands  in  question;  and  at  Midsommer  Nottingham  Assizes  16G1:    Brought  on  the  said 
suite  to  tryall  the  plaintive's  Councill   was  one  Willmot  neere   Darby   and   some 
others,  who  oppened  his  case  and  Tittles  to  the  lands  in  question  with  reflective 
words  and  unseemely  Expressions  against  the  people  called  Quakers  falsely  alleadg- 
ing  they  went  together  like  bruits  and  after  their  cursory  manner  of  abuse  they 
proceeded  to  prove  his  relation  and  alliance  to  William  Ashwell  ye  Deceased  whose 
next  heire  he  pretended  to  be  and  so  Intituled  to  ye  Lands;  his  principal  witness 
was  John  Death  of  Brotherton  neere  Newarke;  after  he  had  signified  his  Evidence 
the  Councill   for  Mary  Ashwell   viz.,   Serjent   Newdigall  of  Serjents   Inn   in   fleete 
Street  London,  and  Charles  Dollinson  of  Lincholns  Inn,  made  defense  by  suflStient 
witnesse  (viz.)  Richard  Gossy  of  Coddington  William  Bell  and  Edward  Goodyear  of 
the  same  place,  and  by  the  Certificate  of  their  marriage;  subscribed  by  the  people 
called  Quakers  and  others;  proved  theire  Sollemne  Marriage,  and  their  sober  Con- 
versation together  within  which  time  of  wedlock  Mary  Ashwell  was  borne,  and  soe 
the  true  Heire  to  her  father's  Lands;  John  Archer  the  Judge  of  Assize  after  hearing 
ye  Evidence  pties  and  what  either  ptie  could  alleadge.  Directed  his  Discourse  to  the 
Jury  telling  them  that  as  for  the  Quakers  wee  know  not  their  opinions  —  but  did 
beleeue  they  did  not  goe  together   like   Bruit   Beasts   as   had   beene   said,   but   as 
Christians;  therefore  did  beleeue  that  the  Marriadge  between  William  Ashwell  and 
Anne  Ridge  was  lawfull,  and  Mary  theire  Daughter  Heire  to  the  Lands  in  question; 
and  brought  a  case  to  satisfie  ye  Jury  it  was  to  the  purpose,  A  man  that  was  weake 
of  Body  and  kept  his  Bed  in  that  condition  —  his  desire  was  to  take  a  wooman 
present  to  be  his  wife;  accordingly  he  then  declared  that  he  tooke  that  wooman  to 
be  his  wife  and  shee  declared  that  shee  tooke  that  man  to  be  her  husband  and  all 
Bishopps  at  that  time  did  conclude  it  to  be  a  lawfull  marriage  as  the  Judge  then 
said;  and  further  told  ye  jury  that  there  was  a  Marriage  in  Parradise;  Addam  took 
Eve,  and  Eve  took  Addam,  and  none  other  present,  and  it  was,  said  he,  ye  consent 
of  ye  pties  that  made  a  marriadge.  So  ye  Jury  found  it  for  ye  Defendant  and  Mary 
Ashwell  has  gver  since  Continued  in  peaceable  possession  of  her  father's  said  lands 
and  Inheritance. 

John  Theaker  of  North  Collingham  in  Nottinghamshire  Grazier  married  Anne  ye 
Relict  of  the  said  William  Ashwell  and  Defended  ye  said  Suite  and  as  Guardian  to 
Mary  Ashwell  had  ye  land  in  possession  untill  ye  death  of  Mary  who  departed  this 
life  about  December  1G72  last  past. 

And  at  Richmond  there  was  the  like  case  tryed  in  their  Spiritual  Court  —  a  man 
that  was  related  to  a  fl:rieud;  the  ffriend  marryiuge  and  having  a  Child  —  and  being 
Deceased  would  have  had  ye  Estate  and  sued  for  it.  Saying  ye  Child  was  not  heire 
because  the  ffather  and  mother  were  not  married  by  a  Priest  —  and  there  was  a 
tryall  of  it  in  Richmond  Spiritual  Court;  and  ye  Court  Cast  ye  man  and  made  ye 
Child  heire  of  ye  lands  and  so  allowed  of  ye  marriage  in  ye  yeare  1673. 

In  Maryland  there  was  two  fCriends  marryed  and  ye  Magistrate  questioned  theire 
marriage  and  brought  them  into  trouble  about  it.  At  last  it  came  before  Assembly 
and  Councill  as  alsoe  ye  Governor;  they  were  much  puzzled  about  it,  and  ffrienda 


1661 


1661 


510  Ecclesiastical  Records 

having  gone  together  accordlnge  to  ye  practice  of  ye  Holy  men  in  the  Scriptures  of 
truth  and  law  of  god;  they  laying  the  matter  before  ye  meeting,  all  things  being 
Cleare,  a  meeting  was  appointed  on  purpose  for  the  talking  one  another  and  having 
a  Certificate;  they  being  much  puzzled  both  ye  Assembly  Council;  Governor  and 
Magistrate;  at  last  referred  ye  matter  to  an  old  fEryer  a  Papist;  a  father  as  they 
called  him;  and  his  answer  was  to  them  that  if  that  was  not  a  lawfull  marriage 
there  was  not  one  in  the  world;  this  was  about  ye  yeare  1670. —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y. 
iii.  606,  607. 

Peopositions  Agreed  Upon  by  the  Committee  in  the  INTame 

AND    BeHALEE    of    THE    CoMPANIE    TO    BE    PRESENTED    TO    THE 

Much  Honored  Gouvernor  of  the  ^ew  Ii^etherlands  by 
Those,  Whose  Names  are  Subscribed. 

1.  That  if  a  Church  or  Churches  of  English  shall  be  planted  in  the  place 
pr'pounded  they  may  be  allowed  by  the  Authoritie  of  the  high  and  mighty  Lords 
and  States  General  of  the  United  Provinces  in  the  Netherlands  in  Europe  and  with 
the  approbation  of  the  Bewindhebbers  of  the  West  India  Company  to  enjoy  all  such 
powers  priuiledges  and  liberties  in  the  Congregationall  way  as  they  haue  enjoyed 
them  in  New  England  aboue  twentie  years  paste  without  any  disturbance  Impedi- 
ment or  impositions  of  any  other  formes,  orders  or  customes  to  be  obserued  by 
them:  And  that  therein  they  be  Allowed  and  Approued  churches  by  some  publique 
testimonie  upon  Record. 

2.  That  if  the  English  Churches  planted  under  the  Dutch  Government  shall  con- 
sent to  consociate  together  for  mutuall  helpfullness:  They  may  be  allowed  by  the 
Authority  and  with  the  approbation  aforesaid  soe  to  doe  and  to  call  a  synod  and 
therein  be  established  by  common  consent  such  orders  according  to  scripture  as 
may  be  requisite  for  the  suppressing  of  haeresies,  schismes  and  false  worships  and 
for  the  establishment  of  truth  with  peace  in  those  English  churches.  And  that  the 
Gouernor  and  Courts  at  New  Amsterdam  shall  protect  the  said  English  churches 
and  Synods  from  any  that  oppose  them  or  be  injurious  to  them. 

3.  The  English  planters  doe  desire  that  they  may  haue  liberty  and  power  by  ye 
Authority  and  with  ye  approbation  aforesaid  to  haue  the  ordering  of  all  Judicature 
and  of  all  their  civill  affaires  within  themselves,  to  chuse  their  owne  magistrates 
and  all  other  officers  and  Constitute  and  keep  Courts  and  make  all  such  lawes  and 
orders  as  they  shall  find  most  sutable  to  their  condition  and  welfare  in  that  place 
And  that  all  persons,  planters  and  others,  for  the'  time  they  are  amongst  them 
within  their  precincts,  shall  be  bound  to  acquiesce  in  all  their  lawes,  orders, 
sentences  and  appointments  of  any  of  their  owne  Court  or  Courts  and  officers 
determinately  according  to  such  orders  and  lawes  as  are  or  shall  be  from  time  to 
time  agreed  upon  and  enacted  by  them  and  unto  their  sentences  made  and  verdicts 
declared  without  appeals  to  any  other  Authority  or  jurisdiction.  This  power  the 
English  in  America  within  New  England  have  had  and  exercised  in  all  causes  by 
the  graunt  of  the  late  King  of  England,  Charles  the  First,  as  is  to  be  seen  in  his 
Majesties  letters  pattent  aboue  twentie  years  together.  And  it  is  much  more  neces- 
sary that  they  haue  it  under  the  Dutch  (whose  lawes  they  know  not  nor  understand 
their  language  and  the  way  and  manner  of  their  exerciseing  this  their  sole  power). 
We  purpose  according  to  the  fundamentalls  receiued  in  New  Hauen  Collonie  which 
are  in  print  to  be  seen  (or  the  most  of  them)  so  far  as  we  shall  finde  it  will  alike 
suite  Christ's  ends  and  our  conditions  there. 

4.  That  all  the  lands  agreed  for,  be  clearly  and  undeniably  purchased  of  the 
Indians  by  an  Athentik  Instrument  or  Instruments  and  that  we  may  haue  one  of 
them  in  our  custody  and  that  the  hands  of  those  Indians  that  haue  the  naturall  and 
ciuill  right  be  subscribed  and  soe  owned  by  them  In  the  presence  of  English  Dutch 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoke.  511 

and  Indians  as  lawfully  bought  and  sould  and  that  then  these  lands  shall  be  made 
ye  proper  Inheritance  of  the  English  Planters  and  their  posteritie  foreuer  by  the 
Anthoritie  and  power  with  the  approbation  aforesaid  according  to  all  present  and 
future  orders,  graunts  and  agreements  or  diuisions  of  all  such  lands  so  bought  as 
shall  be  made  by  the  English  alone  amongst  themselues  by  persons  Intrusted  and 
empowered  by  them  for  such  afaires. 

5.  That  noe  inhabitants  be  put  upon  us  by  the  Dutch  but  that  we  have  the  sole 
power  of  dlsposeing  our  lands  and  entertaineing  or  rejecting  all  Inhabitants  accord- 
ing to  agreements  that  shall  from  time  to  time  be  made  amongst  ourselves. 

6.  That  the  English  Planters  in  the  aforesaid  places  by  Authority  and  with  appro- 
bation aforesaid  may  haue  equal  liberties  of  tradeing  with  the  Dutch  in  all  respects, 
they  payeing  all  lawfuU  dues  and  customes  as  the  Dutch  doe  or  with  any  other 
wJiom  so  euer, 

7.  Our  humble  desire  Is  that  the  Promises  being  graunted  by  those  in  Holland  or 
to  whom  the  Pattent  and  power  of  such  graunts  appertaineth,  may  be  declared  and 
ratified  by  an  Authenticall  Instrument  signed  and  sealed  by  the  Pattentees  in 
Europe,  if  it  remaines  with  them  And  that  a  copie  of  it  so  signed  sealed  and 
Authentically  Attested  may  be  procured  for  the  English  Planted  under  the  Dutch 
to  be  by  them  kept  among  their  publique  Records  for  ye  benefitt  of  Posteritie. 

Benjamin  Ffen 
Robert  Treatt 
Rich:  Lawe 
Jasper  Gun. 
Dated  this  8th  of  November  1661  ffrom  Milford  in  New  England. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 

xlii.  209,  210.     [See  further,  papers  under  dates,  Nov.  23,  1661,  Mar.  11,  1662,  May 

30,  1662.] 


Answer  of  the  Director-General  and  Council  to  the  Fore- 
going- Propositions,  of  'Nov.  8,  1661. 

Extract  outh  of  the  Recordes  and  Resolutions  of  the  Lord  Di- 
rector General  and  Counsels  of  the  E'ew  IN'etherlands,  taken 
in  their  Court  uppon. 

Monday,  the  28th  of  November  1661. 

The  Director  Generall  and  Counsells  off  the  New  Netherlands  haveing  perused  the 
Commissione  and  Propositions,  produced  by  Benjamin  Fenne,  Robert  Treat,  Ritch: 
Lawe  and  Jasper  Gun,  Deputies  of  a  greather  Companie  English  People,  propouud- 
inge  uppon  Certaine  termes  to  be  admitted  as  Inhabbittens  and  subjects  under  this 
Government,  Doe  judge  the  matter  off  a  hevier  Consernement  as  to  give  soo  full 
and  satisfactory  answer  uppon  every  perticull. 

Nevertheless,  Consideringe  the  abovementioned  Deputies  are  very  desirous  to  ob- 
taine  any  answer  for  to  Relate  unto  their  principals,  is  Resolved  to  give  this  follow- 
ing provisionate  Answer: 

Because  there  is  no  difference  in  the  fundamental  poincts  of  the  worship  of  God 
betwixt  these  and  the  Churches  of  New  England,  as  onely  in  the  Ruelinge  of  the 
same  — 

The  Director  Generall  and  Counsell  doe  make  noe  DifBculte  to  give  way  and 
consent  unto  the  two  first  Propositions,  because  in  our  natyff  Country,  alsoo  here 
was  never  practised  restraint  of  Conscience.  In  the  meantyme  we  wish  and  hope 
that  by  a  neerer  meetinge  and  conference  between  oure  and  theire  Ministers  further 
Obstructions  in  this  poinct  shall  be  removed  and  that  all  lovinge  Unity  shall  be 
observed. 


1661 


1661 


512  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

Uppon  the  third  proposition  unto  the  petitioners  shall  be  graunted  in  the  way  of 
Magistrature,  Judicature  and  Sivill  afifaires,  all  such  power,  Authority,  Privilege 
and  Liberty  as  all  other  townes  and  Collonies  of  New  Netherland  have  obtained,  to 
wit,  the  Nomination  oCf  theire  owne  Magistrates  within  herselfes  yearely  in  a 
dubble  Number  to  be  present  unto  the  Director  Generall  and  Counsell  for  to  be 
elected  out  of  the  same  the  Magistrates  for  that  yeare  and  to  confirm  them,  the 
which  shall  be  qualified  with  suflacient  power  and  Authority  for  to  make  and  to  see 
approbated  and  confirmed  by  the  Director  Generall  and  Counsell  all  such  Ordinances 
as  they  shall  find  good  for  the  benefltt  of  theire  townes  or  plantations,  Accordinge 
to  the  same  to  doe  Right  and  Justice,  the  Appelle  beinge  Reserved  unto  the  high 
Court,  in  Conformite  of  the  Generall  Order  and  Exemptions  graunted  unto  all  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  New  Netherlands. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  210. 

Ordinance  of  the  Director  General  imposing  a  land  tax  at  Esopus  to  defray  the 
expense  of  building  a  Minister's  house  there. 

(See  Laws  of  New  Netherland,  pages  413  and  448.) 

Ordinance  for  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  prevention  of  fires,  construction  of 
fences  and  houses,  and  for  keeping  in  repair  the  palisades  at  Wiltwyck,  passed  18th 
of  November  1661. 

(Ibidem  page  415.) 

Ordinance  for  the  speedy  collection  of  the  arrears  due  on  the  House  and  salary 
of  the  Minister  at  Esopus,  passed  November  24,  1661. 

(Ibidem  page  421.)—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  211. 

Ordinance  of  I^ew  !N^etherland,  for  the  Observance  of  the 
Sabbath,  Etc.,  Etc.,  1661,  'Nov.   18. 

1.  No  person  shall  be  permitted  to  perform  on  the  Sabbath,  by  us  called  Sunday, 
any  work  at  his  ordinary  business,  whether  plowing,  sowing,  mowing,  threshing, 
winnowing,  transporting  wood,  hay,  straw  or  grain,  grinding,  or  conveying  any 
goods  to  or  from  the  Strand;  on  the  penalty  of  one  pound  Flemish  for  the  first  time, 
double  as  much  for  the  second  time,  and  four  times  double  as  much  for  the  third 
time. 

2.  Much  less  shall  any  one  on  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  give  entertainment  in 
taverns;  sell  or  give  away,  under  any  pretext  whatsoever,  beer,  wine  or  any  strong 
drink,  under  the  above  mentioned  fine;  and  if  any  one  be  found  drunk  on  the 
Sabbath  of  the  Lord,  he  shall  in  addition  to  the  one  pound  Flemish  for  the  benefit 
of  the  officer,  be  conveyed  to  the  Watch  house,  and  there  remain  at  the  discretion 
of  the  Commissaries.     ♦     *     *    —  Laws  of  New  Netherland,  415,  416. 

Extract  from  a  Letter  of  Vice-Director  La  Montagne  to 
Stuyvesant,  Regarding  Bricks  Purchased  for  and  Sent  to 
DoMiNE  Blom  at  Esopus.  Port  Orange,  19th  Z!Tovember, 
1661. 

In  pursuance  of  your  Honor's  order  I  have  called  upon  Anderies  Herbertsen,  the 
Constable,  for  five  thousand  bricks;  he  stated,  that  he  had  none  and  could  not  get 
any,  so  that  I  have  been  obliged  to  purchase  them  to  fill  your  Honor's  order  I 
bought  three  thousand  from  Master  Jacob  de  Hince  at  ten  guilders  in  beaver  the 
thousand,  which  Monsr.  Cousseau  was  to  take  for  himself  to  the  Manhatans;  I  have 
given  a  receipt  for  these  bricks  and  bought  three  thousand  more  from  Jan  Verbeeck 
for  twenty  two  guilders  in  wampum  to  be  paid  here,  which  Reyndert  Pietersen  was 
to  take  to  the  Manhatans;  I  have  sent  these  six  thousand  bricks  to  Domine  Blom 
together  with  a  letter  to  the  same  by  Jan  van  Bremen.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  213. 


OF  THE  State  of  !New  York.  513 

1661 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

1661,  Dec.  5th. 

Kev.  Charles  Schnleriis  in  the  Chair,     xx.  428. 

Copy  of  letter  to  Eev.  Samuel  Drisius  of  E'ew  ISTetherland,  Dec. 
16,  1661,  in  answer  to  his  letter  of  Oct.  4,  1660.     xx.  431. 

Grace,  Peace  and  Salvation. 

Eeverend,  Learned,  and  much  Beloved  Brother  in  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ : — 

Your  writing  under  date  of  Oct.  4,  1660,  came  to  hand  and  was 
presented  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  It  announced  that  our 
letter  of  March  1st  of  the  same  vear,  reached  the  Rev.  brethren 
safely,  and  that  they  had  taken  pleasure  in  the  measures  of  the 
Eev.  Classis  in  behalf  of  the  West  India  churches.  It  also  in- 
formed us  of  the  safe  arrival  of  the  Rev.  brethren,  Blom  and 
Selyns,  whom  the  church  there  received  with  much  joy,  and  who 
are  installed  in  their  offices.  May  the  Lord  our  God  bless  their 
services  and  make  them  fruitful. 

You  write  concerning  a  certain  person  thirty  years  of  age, 
baptized  by  the  Mennonites,  but  now  manifesting  an  inclination 
towards  the  true  and  Scriptural  Reformed  Religion;  that  he  dil- 
igently attends  church,  and  is  of  a  godly  life,  and  desires  to  be 
admitted  to  the  Lord's  table  in  the  Reformed  Church.  But  a  ques- 
tion has  arisen  whether  he  ought  not  to  be  rebaptized.  Some  of 
the  congregation  at  'New  Amsterdam  maintain  the  affirmative; 
others  that  the  Mennonite  baptism  is  sufficient.  The  Rev.  Classis 
having  carefully  weighed  this  matter  is  of  opinion,  that  since  he 
has  been  baptized  once,  he  need  not  again  be  baptized.  Such  is 
indeed,  the  daily  practice  of  the  churches  in  this  country.  Holy 
Baptism  is  not  administered  anew  to  such  as  have  been  previously 
baptized  by  Papists  or  Mennonites.     Such  are  admitted  to  the 

33 


1661 


514  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Lord's  Supper  on  confession  of  their  faith.  If,  therefore,  the 
Rev.  brethren  will  regulate  themselves  in  this  case,  according  to 
this  practice,  they  mil  do  well. 

In  a  recent  interview  with  the  Hon.  Directors,  in  order  to  in- 
quire what  hope  there  was  that  the  congregation  at  ISTew  Amster- 
dam might  once  more  be  provided  mth  a  pastor,  their  Honors  in- 
formed us  that  thev  had  received  a  letter  on  this  same  subject 
from  the  Rev.  brethren  in  New  Xetherland;  that  the  business  at 
present  was  in  such  a  condition,  that  it  is  not  now  known  whether 
Xew  Amsterdam  will  remain  under  the  care  of  this  citv,  or 
whether  it  will  come  under  the  charge  of  the  Directors  of  the 
West  India  Company,  so  that  w^e  must  have  some  patience  con- 
cerning this  request,  till  the  result  of  these  affairs  is  known. 
Meanwhile  the  Rev.  Classis  mil  gladly  give  diligence,  and  as  soon 
as  the  opportunity  offers,  w^ill  do  their  utmost  to  provide  the  above 
mentioned  congregation  vT.th  an  able  pastor.  Whereunto  may 
the  Lord  lend  his  gracious  blessing. 

Further,  Rev.  brother,  it  has  come  to  our  knowledge  that  one 
Michael  Siperius,  who  has  been  for  a  long  while  at  Curacoa,  and 
has  preached  there,  but  who  was  sent  away,  has  probably  arrived 
in  !N^ew  Netherland ;  that  there  w^as  also  some  probability  that  the 
Rev.  brethren  might  employ  him  in  the  preaching  of  God's  Holy 
Word.  But  we  have  heard  an  e\dl  report  of  this  person,  having 
been  compelled,  to  prevent  injury  to  the  church  of  Christ,  to  in- 
quire about  him.  We  have  been  informed  on  good  authority,  that 
the  same  Michael  Siperius  has  been  from  his  youth  up,  a  good 
for  nothing  person.  In  the  school  at  Alckmaer  he  was  publicly 
chastised  before  all  the  scholars  as  an  example.  This  was  done 
for  many  wicked  acts,  such  as  obtaining  articles  from  stores  in 
the  name  of  the  rector,  and  taking  them  to  pa^vn  shops,  and  others 
of  a  similar  nature.  Let  this  statement  serve  the  Rev.  brethren 
as  a  christian  warning,  and  as  a  guide  concerning  him. 

May  the  Lord,  who  can  do  more  than  we  can  either  ask  or  think, 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  515 

pour  out  Ms  Patherly  blessing  upon  the  brethren,  all  of  whom  are 
most  heartily  greeted  by  us,  in  their  respective  services  and  con- 
gregations. Amsterdam,  Dec.  15,  1661.  Signed  in  the  name, 
and  by  order  of  Classis, 

Charles  Schulerus,  pastor  Amstelod.  et 

Deputatorum  ad  res  Indicas, 

p.  t.  scriba. 

Copy  of  a  letter  to  Kev.  Gideon  Schaats,  preached  at  Beverwyck 

in  'New  Netherland,  Dec.  15,  1661,  in  answer  to  his  letter  to 

this  Classis,  under  date  of  Sept.  22,  1660.     Acts  of  Deputies, 

vol.  XX.  432. 

Grace,  Peace,  and  Salvation. 

Reverend,  Learned,  etc. 

Your  letter  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  under  date  of  Sept. 

22,  1660,  concerning  the  efforts  of  the  Lutherans  to  introduce 

there  a  preacher  of  their  persuasion,  has  been  duly  received  by  us. 

We  deemed  it  necessary  to  make  inquiries  of  the  Hon.  Directors, 

whether  their  Honors  had  any  knowledge,   or  had  given  their 

consent,  that  the  said  Lutherans  might  institute  public  religious 

gatherings  in  the  West  Indies,  or  introduce  a  pastor  or  pastors. 

Whereupon  the  Hon.  gentlemen  answered  us,  that  they  knew 

nothing  of  this  matter,  much  less  had  given  their  consent  to  such 

a  thing;  that  they  vrere  also  assured  that  his  Excellency,  General 

Stuyvesant,  who  was  such  a  staunch  lover  and  defender  of  the 

true  Reformed  religion,  would  not  endure  the  existence  of  the 

Lutherans,  if  they  should  grow  too  bold.    From  this  you  yourself, 

and  all  interested  congi*egations  may  observe  that  the  pretended 

consent  was  not  given,  and  that  the  Lutherans  can  in  no  sense 

justify  their  actions  on  this  ground;  nor  will  they  ever  obtaiit 

such  permission  here.     You  may  freely  inform  the  good  people 

concerning  this,  that  they  may   dismiss  their  newly  conceived 

hopes,  since  they  may  find  abundant  edification  and  comfort  of 

soul,  through  the  blessing  of  the  Lord,  in  the  Reformed  worship, 


1661 


1661 


616  Ecclesiastical  Records 

if  tliey  liearken  diligently,  and  endeavor  to  walk  before  God  and 
men  witli  a  good  conscience.  We  trust  tliat  your  congregation 
will  have  no  need  to  fear  fnrtlier  agitation  from  such  injurious 
winds. 

The  Rev.  Classis  is  heartily  rejoiced  at  the  happy  increase  of 
members  in  your  church.  May  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  bless  you 
more  and  more  with  knowledge,  love  and  holy  fear,  unto  salva- 
tion. May  he  grant  that  you,  Worthy  Brother,  be  faithful  to  him 
that  has  called  you,  that  you  may  msely  employ  the  talent  given, 
so  that  in  the  great  day,  you  may  with  confidence  appear  before 
the  Shepherd  of  the  Sheep,  and  say,  "  Here  am  I,  and  the  children 
whom  thou  hast  given  me  ^' ;  and  may  hear  in  reply,  '^  Well  done 
good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord  ". 
HercAvith  our  brotherly  greeting  and  the  grace  of  Christ. 
Signed,  in  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Rev.  Classis. 

Carl  Schulerus,  pastor  Amstelod.  et 
Deputatorum  ad  res  Indicas, 
p.  t.  Praeses. 
Petrus  Gribius,  preacher  in  Amsterdam, 
Amsterdam,  Deputatorum,  p.  t.  Scriba. 

Dec.  15,  1661. 

Peoclamation  of  Gov.  Peter  Stuyvesant,  Jan.  26,  1662,  Ap- 
pointing A  Day  of  TnANKSOiviNa,  Fasting  and  Prayer,  foe 
March  15,  1662. 

The  great  God  has  during  the  past  year,  as  a  righteous  ruler, 
sorely  visited  this  province  in  general,  and  many  of  its  inhabit- 
ants in  particular,  on  account  of  our  manifold  sins,  of  which  not 
the  least  is  our  ingratitude  for  the  benefits  and  blessings  we  have 
enjoyed,  and  our  protection  against  foreign  and  domestic  enemies. 
He  has  chastised  us  in  some  instances  with  pestilence  and  hitherto 
unknown  fevers  and  diseases;  again  mth  sudden  heavy  rains  and 
floods  of  water  in  the  summer,  by  which  the  promising  harvest 
was  rendered   unfruitful   to   the   inhabitants;    again   by  severe 


OF  THE  State  of  ]N^ew  York.  517 

1663 

drought,  by  reason  of  which  the  fruits  of  the  field  were  greatly 
injured  and  nearly  cut  off;  and  also  by  other  trials.  But  at  the 
same  time,  as  a  merciful  and  compassionate  Father,  he  has  re^ 
membered  his  loving  kindness  in  the  midst  of  judgements,  blessing 
this  province  in  general,  and  many  of  its  inhabitants  in  particular, 
with  favors  and  benefits  of  signal  value,  and  deserving  the  warm- 
est gratitude.  Among  these  may  be  numbered,  as  not  the  least, 
the  healing  and  removal  of  the  above  mentioned  unusual  diseases 
and  fevers,  the  continuation  of  peace  and  quietness  amid  so  many 
enemies  with  the  prevailing  rumors  of  new  commotions  and  vio- 
lence, and  the  renewed  supply  of  a  good  and  fruitful  harvest. 
Above  all  these  should  be  highly  esteemed  the  preservation  of  his 
pure  religion,  and  the  peaceful  enjoyment  of  the  pure  and  un- 
adulterated light  of  his  Gospel  in  our  candlestick,  which,  how- 
ever greatly  to  be  deplored,  is  in  very  many  places  either 
quenched  by  persecution,  or  darkened  and  corrupted  by  human 
perversions.  These  and  many  other  blessings  and  benefits  should 
urge  us  to  all  thankfulness,  while  at  the  same  time  the  mixture 

of  his  Fatherly  chastisements,  and  thus  not with  these 

benefits,  should  lead  us  to  careful  examination,  that,  on  the  one 
hand  we  may  pour  forth  our  thankful  praises,  and  on  the  other 
hand,  by  humility,  penitence  and  reformation  of  life,  avert  his 
judgements,  and  acknowledge  him  as  the  giver  of  every  good  and 
perfect  gift,  both  temporal  and  spiritual. 

Influenced  by  these  considerations,  the  Director-General  and 
the  Council  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  select  a  day  of  general 
thanksgiving,  fasting  ajid  prayer,  to  be  held  throughout  this  prov- 
ince on  Wednesday  March  15th.  The  inhabitants  of  this  prov- 
ince, both  those  in  authority  and  in  subjection,  are  all  hereby 
directed  to  assemble  in  the  churches  or  places  wherein  the  Word 
of  God  is  publicly  preached  or  read,  and  there  mth  humble  and 
contrite  hearts,  to  call  earnestly  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  be- 
seeching the  Majesty  of  Heaven,  in  his  gracious  pleasure,   to 


1662 


518  Ecclesiastical  Records 

remove  and  avert  from  us  his  righteous  and  Tvell  deserved  afflic- 
tive dispensations,  to  preserve  peace  and  friendly  intercourse 
between  us  and  our  neighbors,  to  take  this  growing  province 
under  his  Fatherly  protection  and  guard  it  against  all  evil  devices ; 
to  bless  the  fruits  of  the  earth  with  the  early  and  the  latter  rain; 
and  above  all  to  cause  the  groT\i;h  and  advancement  of  the  fear 
of  his  most  Holy  ISTame,  and  the  hatred  of  sin  among  us. 

That  the  observeance  of  the  day  may  be  better  attained,  the 
Director-General  and  the  Council  forbid,  during  the  appointed 
day  of  thanlvsgiving  fasting  and  prayer,  all  plays,  as  tennu,  ball, 
etc. ;  fishing,  plowing,  sowing,  etc.  The  ministers  of  the  word  of 
God  within  this  province  are  requested  to  direct  their  sermons 
and  prayers  to  the  object  for  which  the  day  is  appointed. 

Done  in  a  meeting  of  the  Hon.  Director  and  Council,  held  in 
Fort  Amsterdam  in  'New  ^N'etherland,  Jan.  26,  1662. 

By  order  of  the  Director-General  and  Council  of  New  Xether- 

land. 

Peter  Stuvvesant. 

C.  Van  Ruyven,  Secretary. —  Col.mss. 

William  Beeckmais^  to  Dikector  Stuyvesant  ;   

E.EV.  Aegidius  Luyck  Goes  to  Manhattans. 


Herewith    goes    Domine    Aegidius    Luyck    witti    your    Honorable    Worships'    and 
private  letters  from  Holland,  as  the  skipper  does  not  like  to  leave  already. 


Altena,  February  20,  1662.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  361,  362. 

Further  Answer  of  the  Director-General  and  Council  to 
the  Proposals  of  Messrs.  Fenn  and  Others,  of  New  Haven 
Colony,  Stating  the  Conditions  on  Which  They  May 
Settle  a  Town  on  Achter  Cull.  [See  IS^ov.  8  and  28, 
1661.] 

r  1662,  March  11. 

John  Gregorie,  arrived  here  yesterday  from  New  England,  requested  further 
answer  to  the  propositions  of  some  Englishmen,  which  are  recorded  in  the  Register 
of  Resolutions  under  date  of  28th  of  November  1661.  The  following  answer  was 
given  to  him. 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  519 

Worthy  and  Lovinge  friendes: 

Wee  doe  Conceave,  that  our  Scriptuall  answer  more  largely  declared  by  words  of 
mouth  and  mutuall  discourses  are  such  as  possybely  can  be  Expected  and  as  is 
Answerabel  to  our  Superiors  in  Europe:  it  is  known  (Honor  and  thancks  be  given 
for  it  to  the  Bountifull  God),  that  there  is  no  at  the  Least  differency  In  the 
foundamentall  points  of  Religion,  the  differency  In  Churches  orders  and  gouvern- 
ment  so  small  that  wee  doe  not  stick  at  it,  therefore  have  left  and  leave  it  still  to 
the  freedom  off  your  owne  Consiences. 

In  Civil  matters  which  doe  not  Schruppel  the  Consiency,  It  is  a  Common  Proverb, 
in  Strainge  places,  we  may  finde,  but  must  make  noe  Lawes;  Conferringe  our  Com- 
mon Practis  in  matters  of  Civil  Justice  with  your  Printed  orders  we  find  soe  little 
difference,  that  it  will  not  hinder  the  business  in  hand,  only  the  Appeale  and  Con- 
firmation of  Magistrates  out  of  dubble  Number  (as  a  token  of  an  acknowledgement 
to  a  higher  authority):  must  be  Referred  to  the  Gouverneur  General  and  Council  in 
tyme  beeinge;  but  if  the  summe  whereof  a  party  may  appeale  and  the  Feynes  before 
he  may  Appeale  (beinge  Commonly  hundert  gilders  and  the  feynes  twoe  Pound 
Sterlinge)  to  your  judgement  is  too  small  both  may  be  exalted  to  a  heyer  Summe. 

The  Confirmation  of  Magistrates  out  of  dubbel  Number  is  in  several  Respects 
requisit  and  needful,  more  for  the  good  of  the  township,  as  for  the  Authority  of  the 
Government;  the  Reasons  Shortenes  Sake,  wee  shall  deferre  to  more  Convenient 
tyme  and  Place,  the  Common  practis  of  the  Governour  and  Counsel  before  they 
proceed  to  the  Election  and  Confirmation  of  the  New  Magistrates  is  to  advyse  with 
the  deputy  of  the  old  Magistrates  presentinge  the  nominations  before  them,  which 
the  most  fitted  men  are  for  that  oflice,  whereout  in  part  the  premisses  may  be 
deducted. 

These  twoe  poincts  beinge  amongst  your  Propositions  and  Principals,  whereabouts 
at  the  last  meetinge  the  differancy  (to  our  Remembrance)  was  left  and  the  Bearer 
your  Present  messenger  and  agent  John  Gregorie  beinge  not  further  Instructed,  wee 
shall  break  off  for  the  Present,  only  wee  thought  it  meete  for  the  furtherance  of 
the  matters  in  hand  to  acquaint  yow  and  those  it  may  concerne  with  the  oath  of 
Fidelity  which  in  the  first  place  all  Inhabitants,  secondly  all  Magistrates  and  mili- 
tary oflicers,  every  one  in  his  place  are  to  doe,  Soe  after  our  love  and  Respects  wee 

shall  Rest  — 

Your  Lovinge  friend. 

Amsterdam  in  the  New  Netherlands  this  11th  of  March  1662. 

A  Coppie  of  the  Oath  of  Fidelity  to  be  done  and  Subskrybet  by  those  that  are  to 
Come  and  Settel  under  the  Government  of  the  Province  of  the  New  Netherlands. 

Wee  doe  in  the  Presence  of  the  Almighty  God  hereby  acknowledge,  declare  and 
sweare,  that  wee  shall  be  true  and  faithful  unto  the  high  and  mighty  Lords  and 
States  Generals  of  the  United  Belgicq  Provinces,  the  Right  Hounourable  the  Lords 
Bewinthebbers  of  the  West  India  Company,  theire  Governour  and  Counsel  in  tyme 
Beinge  all  fitting  and  due  obediance  accordinge  as  other  Prince  or  State  to  have 
Dominion  over  us,  Soo  long  as  we  shall  live  and  Continue  in  this  theyre  Province 
and  Jurisdiction  off  the  New  Netherlands. 

Soo  help  my  (or  us)  the  God  Almighty. 

Oath  for  Magistrates. 

I,  N.  N.,  doe  wel  and  truely  sweare  in  the  Presence  of  the  Almighty  and  Ever- 
livinge  God  to  be  true  and  faithful  to  the  high  and  mighty  Lords  and  States  Gen- 
erals of  the  United  Belgicq  Provinces,  the  Right  Honnourable  the  Lords  Bewintheb- 
bers of  the  West  India  Company,  their  Gouvernor  General  and  Counsel  in  tyme 
Beinge,  that  I  as  Choosen  and  Confirmed  Magistrate  for  the  towne  of  N.  N.  shall 
mamtaine  the  true  and  Protestant  Religion,  soo  as  the  same  accordinge  to  the  word 
of  God  is  declared  and  in  this  Province  is  Professed,  that  I  shall  use  my  best  and 
utmost  endeavor  for  the  Supression  off  Mutiuis,  Sedition,  Conspiraces  or  Invasion 
whatsoever  I  shall  heare,  may  be  prejudicial  to  the  abovementioned  high  and  mighty 
and  honnourable  Lords  and  their  Government  here  Established,  as  also  to  the  wel- 


1662 


1662 


520  Ecclesiastical  Records 

fare  of  this  Province  in  general  as  to  the  Particular  Towne,  whereof  I  was  Choosen; 
that  I  accordinge  to  my  best  Skll  as  one  of  the  Magistrates  Chosen  by  the  aforesaid 
Towne  Shal  use  and  Exercise  good  and  Equal  Administration  of  Justice,  without 
favor  or  affection,  hatred  or  malicy  to  the  Persons  or  Partys,  and  not  be  a  Counselar 
In  Privat  In  any  Cause  dependinge  before  mee  — 
Soo  help  mee  God  Almighty. 

Oath  of  Military  Officers  in  the  Towneships. 

I,  N.  N.,  Captain,  Leiftennant,  Eynsen,  Sergiant  and  all  the  Compagnie  before 
this  present  Coulers,  doe  well  and  truly  Sweare  in  the  Presence  of  the  Almighty 
and  Everlivinge  God,  that  wee  shal  bee  true  and  faithful  to  the  high  and  mighty 
Lords  the  States  Generals  of  the  United  Belgicq  Provinces,  the  honnourable  Lords 
the  Bewinthebbers  of  the  West  India  Company  and  their  Governor  and  Government 
heere  Established,  that  we  shall  shew  them  and  alsoo  our  Subalterne  Magistrates 
all  due  Respects  and  obediance  not  Bearingh  any  Armes  against  them  in  what 
Respect  soever  — 

Soo  help  my  (or  us)  God  Almighty. 

Here  follows  a  private  latter  of  his  Honor,  the  Director  General,  sent  concerning 

the  foregoing  matter  to  Mr.  Robert  Triatt. 

By  Mr.  John  Gregorie  was  our  answer  to  the  Compagnie  in  general  and  therefore 
sent  open,  where  out  may  be  deducted,  that  all  the  Points  of  your  Propositions 
where  graunted,  except  the  Appeale,  Election  and  Confirmation  of  Magistrates, 
from  the  first  wee  kan  not  declaine,  the  Reasons  of  the  other  wheerefore  it  in  a 
dubbel  Number  ought  to  be  presented  to  a  heyer  Authority  ware  to  my  opinion  soo 
just  and  waithy  that  I  see  noe  Reasons  how  to  answer  the  denyal,  notwithstandinge 
if  any  to  the  contrary  can  be  brought  forth,  which  may  give  more  light  and  Satis- 
faction to  our  Court  after  due  Examination,  I  wil  and  shal  by  all  possible  means 
endeavor  both  here  and  if  neede  Requires  by  our  Superiors  in  Europa,  that  the 
Company  in  that  point  and  in  some  other  grievances  may  obtain  al  Reasonable 
satisfaction:  I  hope  not,  that  such  a  small  difference  will  cut  off  the  business  in 
hand,  therefore  I  shall  Request  you  will  be  pleased  to  send  me  word  by  the  Bearer, 
your  and  the  Company  final  Resolution,  that  we  in  buyinge  and  disposeinge  of  that 
trackt  of  Land  may  order  our  occasions  as  the  present  tyme  for  the  common  good 
of  this  Provincy  shal  offer,  so  after  my  love  and  respects  I  shall  Rest. 

Your  lovinge  friend. 
Post  Schript: 

The  Bearer  Dirck  Johnz  desyred  my  a  letter  of  address  in  the  behalfe  of  his. 
cause,  dependingh  before  the  Governor  and  Court  of  New  Haven  Jurisdiction,  my 
Request  is  yow  will  be  pleased  to  be  helpful  unto  him,  if  Security  should  be  re- 
quired, for  his  goods  Layinge  under  Arrest,  if  you  will  be  pleased  to  become  his 
Security  for  it,  these  shall  oblige  me  to  save  you  harmless,  so  after  my  love  I  Rest 
as  before  — 

Amsterdam  in  the  Netherlands 
this  13th  of  March  1662.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  216,  217,  218. 


William  Beeckman  to  Director  Stuyvesant; 

Rev.  Laers  ; 


In  the  matter  of  the  pastor,  Domine  Laers,  nothing  has  been 
done.     I  shall  take  it  up  now. 


Altena,  March  18,  1862.—  Col.  Docs.  'N.  Y.  xii.  363,  364. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  521 


Court  Minutes  of  E^ew  Amsterdam. 
Eepairs  of  Churcli  of  'New  Amsterdam. 

1662,  March  28. 
Nicasius  de  Sille  and  Hendrick  Janzen  van  der  Vin,  in  quality  of  Churchmasters, 
entering  report  that  they  have  agreed  with  Claes  Maresehalk  to  repair  the  glass  in 
the  Church,  which  he  undertook  for  a  reasonable  price;  but  he  rendered  unto  them 
an  unreasonable  account  therefor,  producing  the  same,  with  a  request  that  the 
Magistrates  examine  the  same.  Claes  Maresehalk  says,  he  calculated  according  to 
the  Church  work,  and  has  had  great  trouble  to  set  the  lozenges  in  the  arms  in  their 
proper  places.  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  refer  the  matter  in  question  to  Cornelius 
Steenwyck,  old  schepen  and  now  Orphan  Master  of  this  City,  and  to  Adolph 
Pietersen,  to  take  up  the  account,  to  discuss  and  decide  the  same;  to  reconcile' 
parties,  if  possible;  if  not,  to  report  their  conclusion  to  the  Court. —  Early  Records 
of  New  Amsterdam,  iv.  57. 

West  India  Co.  Sell  Their  Rights  in  South  River  to  City  of 

Amsterdam. 

1662,  April — June. 

The  declining  condition  of  the  West  India  Company  compelled  its  Directors  to 
dispose  of  a  portion  of  their  territory  on  the  South  River  (or  Delaware)  to  the  city 
of  Amsterdam,  which  had  undertaken  to  colonize  it,  but  with  little  success.  In 
1662  a  colony  of  Mennonites  was  organized  by  the  Burgomasters  of  Amsterdam  for 
settling  on  the  Delaware.—  Smith,  30.     See  also  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  176-7. 

Resolution  of  the  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Amster- 
dam. 

1662,  April  20. 

The  Burgomasters  have  also  reported  that  about  twenty  five  Mennonist  families 
had  declared  their  inclination  to  remove  to  and  reside  in  the  city's  Colonic  in  New 
Netherland,  if  this  city  would  resolve  to  assist  each  family  to  that  end  with  two 
hundred  guilders  for  once,  in  addition  to  the  passage  money,  on  condition  that  such 
families  would  jointly  and  severally  bind  themselves  to  repay  the  same.  Which 
being  considered,  it  is  resolved  to  loan  each  family  one  hundred  guilders  on  such 
conditions,  the  passage  money  therein  included. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  176. 

Petition.    Rev.  Laurentius  Carolus  for  Remission  of  a  Eine 

Imposed  on  Him,  Etc. 

Noble,  Honorable  General.  Sir:  My  humble  service  and  what  further  lies  in  my 
power  are  always  at  your  disposal.  It  will  not  be  unknown  to  your  Honor,  how, 
since  the  elopement  of  my  wife,  I  have  stumbled  from  one  mishap  into  the  other, 
because  all  my  steps  taken  on  that  account  have  been  given  the  worst  explanation 
and  I  have  been  condemned  to  heavy  fines,  which  considering  my  poverty  I  am  not 
able  to  get  together,  for  besides  about  two  hundred  guilders  paid  already,  I  have 
now  again  been  sentenced  to  a  fine  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  guilders,  which  has 
happened,  because  I  was  looking  for  my  wife  and  thought  she  was  in  the  room, 
which  I  opened  by  force.  I  found  there  nothing  but  some  pairs  of  socks,  which 
the  vagabond  robber  of  my  wife  had  left  behind  him.  I  inventoried  these,  and 
whereas  it  has  been  so  interpreted  as  if  I  had  abused  the  Court  by  this  act  of 
mine,  therefore  I  have  been  fined  two  'hundred  and  eighty  guilders,  as  it  is  pre- 
tended, that  the  runaway  was  so  much  in  debt;  and  whereas  I  have  been  condemned 


1662 


1669 


522  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

to  this  fine  In  my  Innocence,  having  no  other  Intention  than  to  look  for  my  wife, 
therefore  It  Is  my  humble  petition,  that  your  Honor  as  Chief  Magistrate  may  please 
to  be  favorable  and  merciful  to  me  and  to  forgive  me,  what  in  my  ignorance  has( 
happened  here  and  to  remit  my  punishment  considering  my  poverty.  As  to  having 
married  myself,  I  have  proceeded  lawfully  therein,  and  consent  was  given.  I  have 
followed  the  same  custom,  which  others  have  followed  here,  who  have  not  been 
called  up  on  that  account.  I  declare  on  my  conscience,  that  it  was  not  done  with 
any  bad  Intention;  had  I  known,  that  this  self-marriage  would  be  thus  interpreted, 
I  would  have  willingly  submitted  to  the  usages  of  the  Reformed  Church,  which 
were  not  known  to  me. 

Therefore  I  pray  once  more  the  Honorable  General  may  please  to  assist  me  with 
favor  and  mercy  to  attend  to  my  poor  vocation  and  means,  so  that  I  may  enjoy  my 
bread  and  Ufelihood  without  being  a  burden  to  anybody.  The  Lord  Almighty,  to 
whose  protection  I  faithfully  commend  your  Honor,  may  move  your  Honor's  heart 
and  mind  to  such  mercy. 

,  Your  Honor's  humble  subject, 

Laurentius   Carolus, 

L.  Minister. 

Uplandt,  April  80,  1662.  —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xll.  367. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Distinguished  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Director  of 
New  Netherland,  at  the  Manhattans. 

Harman"  vait  Hoboocken. 

Order  in  Council. —  Present,  the  Director  General,  Petrus  Stuyvesant  and  the 
Hon.  Johan  de  Decker. 

Whereas,  Harman  Van  Hoboocken,*  before  schoolmaster  and  chorister,  was  re- 
moved because  another  was  sent  to  replace  him  (Pietersen)  by  the  Lords  Directors 
and  the  Consistory,  solicits  to  be  employed  again  in  one  or  other  manner  In  the' 
Company's  service,  so  Is  he  engaged  as  Adelborst  (signifying  a  sergeant,  or  some- 
thing above  a  common  soldier),  and  allowed  ten  guilders  per  month,  and  g.  175  for 
board  from  27th  Oct.  1661. 

Nota:  Whereas  the  aforesaid  Harman  is  a  person  of  irreproachable  life  and 
conduct,  so  shall  he  be  employed  on  the  bouwery  of  the  Director  General  as  school- 
master and  clerk  (Voorleeser),  with  this  condition,  that  the  Director  General,  when- 
ever his  service  might  be  wanted  for  the  Company,  as  Adelborst,  shall  replace  him 
by  another  expert  person.  So  that  from  this  date,  until  after  the  capitulation,  there 
were  two  schools  under  the  care  of  the  Consistory  —  Pietersen's  at  or  near  Fort 
Amsterdam,  and  Van  Hoboocken' s,  on  the  Bouwery.  "  The  Church  at  New  Amster- 
dam was  now  In  a  flourishing  condition  under  the  administration  of  Megapolensis 
and  Drislus." 

The  year  following,  1662,  the  Burgomasters  petitioned  the  "  noble,  great  and 
respectful  Director  General  and  Council  in  New  Netherland,"  to  grant  a  lot  of 
ground  In  Brewer  Street  (in  the  vicinity  of  Whitehall  and  Stone  streets),  opposite 
the  lot  of  Johannes  de  Peyster,  for  a  schoolhouse,  and  also  a  lot  outside  the  gates 
for  a  burying  ground;  and  the  Director  General  and  Council  "  deem  it,  for  various 
reasons,  more  proper  that  the  school-house  was  constructed  on  a  part  of  the  present 
church-yard,"  i.  e.,  within  the  fort. 

There  is  no  evidence  to  support  the  conclusion  that  the  school-house  was  built  as 
contemplated. —  Dunshee.  29,  30. 

•Alb.  Rec.  xix.  383.  Governor  Fish,  in  a  letter  to  the  author,  writes:  "  I  have 
an  Impression,  although  it  is  but  vague  and  indefinite,  that  Mr.  Stuyvesant  pointed 
out  to  me  the  location  of  the  old  school-house,  as  situate  on  what  now  is  the  site  of 
Tompkins  Market,  about  the  corner  of  Sixth  Street  and  Hall  Place."  It  is  well 
known  that  Governor  Stuyvesant  provided  for  the  education  of  the  colored  persons 
on  his  extensive  bouwery,  and  it  is  highly,  probable  that  Van  Hoboocken  had  them 
under  his  Instruction. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  523 


1662 


Council  Minutes. 
Petition  in  Reference  to  Minister's  Salary  at  Hempstead. 

Honnoured  Lord*.  Our  humble  request  to  your  honnonrs  is,  that  your  honnours 
would  be  pleased  to  helpe  us  with  your  advice.  Whereas  the  Towne  of  Heemstede 
for  the  continuance  of  the  Gospel  amongst  them  have  Concluded  at  a  Towne  meet- 
Inge  by  the  major  parte  of  the  Towne,  that  there  should  be  given  to  the  Minister 
seventy  pounds  Sterlinge  by  the  yeare,  And  Whereas  the  towne  have  called  Mr. 
Fourdum,  and  hee  have  Continued  with  us  one  yeare  and  a  Rate  being  made  by  the 
Towne  and  notice  given  to  every  man  what  he  should  paye,  sum  particular  persons 
amongst  us  Refuseth  to  pay  towards  the  Maintaniency  of  the  Minister,  our  humbel 
Request  to  your  Honnours  is  that  you  will  bee  pleased  to  helpe  us  with  your  advice, 
what  way  to  proseed  against  such  persons  as  Refuse  to  paye  accordinge  to  the* 
Towne  order.  Thus  Cravinge  your  helpe  wee  leave  it  to  your  honnours  wisdom  to 

Consider  of 

Yours  in  Loyaltie, 

John  HIckes 

Robert  Jackson. 
May  the  16th  1662. 

May  26th. 
This  is  the  answer  made  to  the  preceding  petition: 

The  petitioners  are  hereby  authorized,  to  compel  the  unwilling  to  pay. 

This  Is  the  warrant,  given  to  the  Magistrates: 

Whereas  wee  Credibly  ware  informed  that  sum  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Towne 
of  Heemstead  were  opposyt  and  unwilling  to  Contribute  to  the  Maintenancy  of  a 
Protestant  Minister,  The  Magistrates  of  the  said  Towne,  are  by  these  presents 
Inpowered  and  authorized,  not  only  to  Constraine  those  that  are  unwilling,  but  by 
further  denyal,  to  punish  them  as  they  in  aequity  shall  think  meete.  Date  asl 
above. —  Col.  Docs,  N.  Y.  xiv.  513. 

Further  Answer  to  the  Proposals  of  Robert  Treat,  Philipp 
Graves  and  John  Gregory  of  New  Haven  Concerning  the 
Settlement  of  Achter  Cull,  [Made  N'ov.  8,  1661.] 

May  30th,   (1662). 

At  the  house  of  his  Honor,  the  Director  General,  present  the  Director  General  and 
the  Councillors,  Messrs.  Nicasius  de  Sille,  La  Mantagne  and  Johan  de  Deckere. 

Uppon  the  propositions  made  by  the  English  deputies  Robbert  Triatt,  Phllipp 
Groues  and  John  Gregory  the  Governor  and  Counsel  of  the  New  Netherlands  doe 
still  Remaine  by  that  answer  as  formerly  in  Schriptis  was  given  and  sent  unto  them 
and  for  further  Explanation  of  Sum  particulars,  which  they  thinke  to  be  doubtful, 
this  presents  may  serve. 

First  Consernlnge  the  twoe  former  Propositions  about  the  Churches  orders  and 
government  wee  Referre  that  unto  themselves,  that  they  not  any  way  shall  be 
molested  therein  and  iff  need  should  require  that  advyce  should  be  taken  with  sum 
English  Ministers  or  Churches  within  these  Province  of  the  New  Netherlands  that 
shall  be  left  to  their  own  liberty.  But  in  case  iff  a  Synode  thereunto  must  be  Re- 
quired the  Approbation  and  Consent  of  the  Governor  and  Counsel  then  beinge. 

Conserninge  the  third  Proposition  the  Governor  and  Counsel  doe  give  Consent  that 
the  aforesaid  English  Nation  being  setlet  under  this  government  shall  have  power 
by  the  most  vote  of  the  Churches  members,  to  nominate  theire  owne  Magistrates  in 
such  a  quantity  as  they  shall  thinck  most  meete  and  needfull  for  their  Towne  or 
Townes,    which   Magistrates   with  the  freemen   shall   be   Impoured,    to   make   such 


r     1662 


624  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

Lawes  and  Ordinances,  as  occasion  shall  require,  which  lawes  and  ordinances  after 
Examination  being  found  not  oppugnant  to  the  general  lawes  of  the  United  Belglck 
and  this  Provinces  shall  by  the  Governor  and  Counsel  be  Ratifyed  and  Confirmed 
unto  them,  only  the  Governor  and  Counsel  doe  Reserve  the  Appeale  of  Criminel  and 
Civil  sentences  above  the  Sum  of  fifty  pounds  Sterlinge,  without  Reformation  or 
Appeale  to  that  sum,  for  all  such  Inhabitants  as  thereunto  shall  Subschrybe  and  ye 
Confirmation  of  the  Magistrates  out  of  a  dubbel  Number  yearly  to  be  presented  unto 
them,  out  of  which  dubbel  Number  with  advyce  or  Communication  of  the  old 
Magistrates  or  their  deputies  the  following  Magistrates  bj;  the  Governor  and  Counsel 
then  being  shall  be  Confirmed. 

Conserninge  the  further  propositions,  they  are  by  these  presents  graunted.  Actum 
In  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  the  30th  of  May  1662. —  Col.  Docs,  N.  Y. 
xiii.  221,  222. 

Contract  for  the  Conveyance  of  Mennonists  to  the  Dela- 
ware River. 

Burgomasters  and  Regents  of  the  City  of  Amsterdam. 

Whereas  we  remain,  at  all  times,  disposed  to  advance  this  city's  Colonie  in  New 
Netherland,  therefore  have  we,  with  the  knowledge  and  consent  of  the  XXXVI. 
Councillors,  resolved  to  enter  into  the  following  agreement  to  that  end  with  Pieter 
Cornelisz  Plockhoy,  of  Zierikzee,  viz.: 

He,  Pieter  Cornelisz  Plockhoy,  undertakes  to  present  to  us,  as  soon  as  possible, 
XXIIII.  men,  who,  with  him,  making  a  Society  of  XXV.  persons,  shall  bind  them- 
selves to  depart  by  the  first  sailing  ship  or  ships  to  the  aforesaid  city's  Colonie  to 
reside  there  and  to  work  at  the  cultivation  of  the  land,  fishing,  handicraft,  etc.,  and 
to  be  as  diligent  as  possible  not  only  to  the  end  that  they  should  live  properly  by 
such  labor,  but  that  provision  may  thereby  be  made  for  other  coming  persons  and 
families. 

Therefore  the  aforesaid  Society  of  XXV.  male  persons,  whether  the  same  be 
more  or  less,  according  as  they  may  increase  or  diminish,  shall,  for  the  whole,  and, 
moreover,  each  member  of  said  Society  for  himself  individually,  have  the  privilege 
of  selecting,  taking  up  and  appropriating  as  much  land,  the  property  of  no  other 
person,  whether  in  the  Whorkill  or  in  any  other  part  of  the  district  of  this  Colonie 
wherever  it  may  lie,  as  they  shall  be  willing  and  able  to  cultivate  and  pasture. 
Which  lands,  both  divided  and  undivided,  the  aforesaid  Society  and  Colonists 
respectively  shall  occupy  in  full  property,  to  do  therewith  as  to  them  shall  seem 
good. 

And  the  aforesaid  Colonists,  for  the  peace,  union  and  welfare  of  their  Society, 
such  rules  and  orders  shall  be  empowered  to  enact  as  they  shall  think  proper,  pro- 
vided, nevertheless,  that  each  person  who  may  consider  himself  wronged  shall  be 
at  liberty  to  appeal  to  the  Magistrate  there  or  here. 

The  aforesaid  Society,  and  each  member  thereof  in  particular,  shall,  for  their 
further  encouragement,  be  granted  freedom  from  Tenths  and  all  other  imposts, 
howsoever  they  be  named,  for  the  term  of  XX.  years. 

And  there  shall  be  paid  likewise,  to  each  of  the  aforesaid  twenty  five  persons,  by 
form  of  a  loan,  a  sum  of  one  hundred  guilders  to  provide  himself  therefrom  with 
necessaries  according  to  pleasure,  on  condition  that  such  sum  is  understood  to  in- 
clude his  passage  money  only,  and  not  those  of  his  wife  and  children,  who  shall  be 
conveyed  over  at  the  expense  of  this  city,  conformably  to  the  printed  Conditions. 

Therefore  the  aforesaid  XXV.  Colonists  promise  and  bind  themselves,  in  solidum, 
the  one  for  the  other,  to  repay  the  aforesaid  two  thousand  five  hundred  guilders  to 
this  city  agreeably  to  the  21  and  22  articles  of  the  Conditions  relating  to  the  city's 
Colonie,  last  printed  and  published. 

Then,  in  case  any  of  the  aforesaid  twenty  five  men  should  wish  to  leave  the 
Society  before  the  time  of  the  full  payment  of  said  two  thousand  five  hundred 


OF  THE  State  of  'N^E^Y  York.  526 

guilders,  in  order  to  return  hither,  he  shall  be  at  liberty  to  do  so,  on  condition  of 
leaving  to  the  Society  the  undivided  land,  cattle  and  all  other  common  property, 
and  taking  with  him  only  his  own  particular  goods,  so  that  the  repayment  may  be 
effected  by  the  remaining  Colonists.  Therefore  the  passage  money  of  such  Colonist 
and  family  as  have  gone  away  shall  be  paid  by  the  Society  out  of  the  common 
stock  in  return  for  his  contributed  labor. 

And  if  any  person  will  go  over,  or  make  the  voyage  at  his  own  expense  and  yet 
wish  to  save  or  even  sell  his  share  In  the  common  fund,  he  shall  be  at  liberty  to  do 
so,  on  condition  that  he  previously  put  one  in  his  place  or  sell  to  such  a  one  as  the 
Society  respectively  shall  approve  of,  in  order  to  help  to  have  a  strict  eye  over  the 
common  labor  and  other  things  besides. 

The  aforesaid  Society  and  the  individual  members  thereof  remaining  further 
bound  to  observe,  in  all  other  respects,  the  aforesaid  printed  articles.  In  like  man- 
ner, also,  the  explanation  of  whatever  should  herein  be  found  to  demand  further 
Interpretation  remains  reserved  unto  the  Burgomasters  of  this  State. 

In  testimony  whereof  have  we,  the  Burgomasters  and  Regents  aforesaid,  the  seal 
of  this  city  affixed  to  these  presents  the  9th  of  June,  Anno  1662. 

(Signed),  Wigbolt  Sllcher 

Having  a  seal  impressed  in  Green  Wax. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  176,  177. 


Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1662,  Aug.  8tli. 
Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemns  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Eeverend,  Pious  and  Much  Respected  Brethren  in  Christ  Jesus :  — 

I  write  to  you  to  express  my  dutiful  and  respectful  regards,  and 
the  remembrance  which  I  cherish  in  my  heart,  and  which  I  utter 
in  prayers  to  God  in  your  behalf;  and  to  inform  you  that  I  still 
continue  in  the  service  of  the  ministry  in  the  church  here,  and 
as  I  hope,  to  the  satisfaction  of  pious  souls.  In  relation  to  the 
general  state  of  the  church,  which  by  the  blessing  of  God,  is  con- 
stantly increasing,  I  will  only  say  that  we  stand  in  need  of  com- 
munication with  one  another  in  the  form  of  a  Classis,  after  the 
manner  of  the  Fatherland.  It  is  desirable  that  this  be  begun,  al- 
though I  do  not  know  of  much  business  to  be  transacted.  We  also 
live  at  a  considerable  distance  from  one  another.  I  myself,  on 
account  of  the  advanced  period  of  my  ministry,  and  my  infirmities, 
have  but  little  personal  interest  in  the  matter,  but  ought  rather 
to  hold  myself  in  constant  preparation  for  the  grave,  and  for  eter- 


1662 


1662 


526  Ecclesiastical  Records 

nel  blessedness.  I  wish  for  7011,  even  each  one  in  particular,  all 
prosperity  and  consolation  from  the  Lord.  Given  in  'New  N"ether- 
land,  in  tBe  town  of  Midwout,  Aug.  8,  1662. 

Yours  affectionately  and  dutifully, 

John  T.  Polhemus. 

Acts  oe  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Call  of  a   Minister  to  l^ew  IsTetherland.     S.   Megapolensis. 

1662,  Aug.  21st. 

Eev.  Cribius,  as  Deputatus  ad  res  Indicas,  makes  known  that 
the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  Indian  Company,  announce  that 
they  have  need  of  a  minister  in  the  regions  of  New  l^etherland, 
to  assume  the  service  of  the  church  there.  And  as  this  matter 
cannot  brook  any  further  delay,  after  the  Assembly  had  made  a 
nomination  of  three  persons,  namely.  Rev.  Broeckhuysen,  Rev. 
Bralius,  and  Rev.  S.  Megapolensis,  there  was  finally  called,  by 
a  majority  of  votes,  for  the  service  of  the  church  of  ^ew  Aether- 
land,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis.  The  time  for  his  examina- 
tion was  appointed  for  Sept.  6th,  and  the  text.  Acts  26;  17,  18, 
was  given  him  by  Rev.  Examiner,  for  a  sermon. 

Whereas,  on  account  of  the  shortness  of  the  time  (allowed)  the 
elders  to  appear  at  the  (next)  meeting  of  Classis,  and  because 
the  funds  which  are  now  lacking,  cannot  be  collected,  notwith- 
standing the  resolution  formerly  adopted;  therefore  the  Rev.  As- 
sembly resolved,  if  there  be  no  objection,  to  take  up  this  matter 
at  the  next  regular  meeting  of  the  Classis,  which  shall  be  held 
Sept.  4th.  At  this  next  meeting.  Rev.  John  Mourcourtius  shall 
preside. —  vi.  276;  xix.  88. 

Council  Minutes.     Quakers  in  Flushing. 

Thursday,  August  24th  1662. 
To  the  Noble  Honorable  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. 


The  Magistrates  of  Rustdorp  came  here  to-day  arid  In  form  of  complaint  reported 
to  the  Director  General,  that  the  majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  their  village  were 
adherents  and  followers  of  the  abomnlble  sect,  called  Quakers,  and  that  a  large 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  527 

meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Bound  In  Vlisslngen  every  Sunday.  They 
requested,  that  this  might  be  prevented  one  way  or  the  other.  Date  as  above 
(August  24th,  1662.) 

By  these  presents  are  all  Magistrates  and  Inhabitants  of  the  English  Townes,  In 
the  Jurisdiction  of  the  New  Netherlands  Ordered  and  Required  to  assist  the  Bearer, 
our  Schout  Resolved  Waldron  for  to  Imprlsson  all  such  persons,  which  shall  be 
found  In  a  prohibited  or  in  a  unlawfull  meeting.  Given  under  our  hand  this  9th  of 
September  Anno  1662.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv.  515. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

S.  Megapolensis. 

1662,  Sept.  4th. 

Rev.  Homma  makes  known  that  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis  asks 
that  his  examination,  which  in  pursuance  of  preceding  resolutions 
was  now  to  be  taken  up,  may  be  postponed  until  October  2nd  1662, 
inasmuch  as  there  are  yet  two  or  three  months  before  his  de- 
parture for  E'ew  ^^[etherland,  the  Rev.  Assembly  grants  his  re- 
quest. The  examination  will  be  held  on  Oct.  3rd  the  day  after  the 
last  Classis  (of  the  year),    vi.  276;  xix.  88. 

For  a  Church  at  Amesfoort. 

Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  Learned,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Discreet  Director  General  and 
High  Council  of  New  Netherland. 
Very  Worshipful  Gentlemen:  As  the  Schepens  of  the  Court  of  Amesfoort  have 
resolved  to  construct  and  build  with  your  Honors'  approbation  and  the  help  of 
friends,  a  house  of  God  and  a  place  to  meet  for  hearing  God's  word^  therefore  your 
Honors  are  humbly  requested,  to  allow  that  said  Court  may  collect  voluntary  con- 
tributions from  the  friends  of  religion  for  building  such  a  house.  Awaiting  your 
Honors'  approbation,  etc.,  etc. 

Your  obedient  servants, 

The  Schepens  of  the  Court  of  Amesfoort 
By  their  order, 
Amesfoort,  the  12th  of  Adrian  Hegeman. 

September  1662. 
September  14th,  1662. 
Answered: 
Fiat  qd.  petltur.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv.  516. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1662,  Sept.  25th. 

A  report  was  presented  by  the  Committee  of  the  Deputies  of  the 
Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  concerning  the  call  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Megapolensis  to  the  service  of  the  churches  of  ^ew  l!^eth- 
erland.     He  was  chosen  from  among  others  presented  with  him. 


1662 


528  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1662 

Also  at  the  same  time  the  above  mentioned  gentlemen  were  in- 
formed of  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  Classis  at  the  course  of  action 
pursued  by  the  said  gentlemen  twice  or  thrice  already  in  their 
(manner  of)  presentation  of  a  person  to  qualify  before  the  Rev. 
Classis  for  the  pastoral  office.  They  had  therein  departed  from 
the  old  and  commendable  order  previously  observed.  (The  Classis 
makes)  the  amicable  request  that  such  might  not  again  occur  in 
the  future.  They  answered  that  they  were  well  satisfied  with  the 
person  of  the  Rev.  (Samuel)  Megapolensis,  and  that  on  future 
occasion  they  would  establish  such  rule  as  would  secure  the  appro- 
bation of  the  Classis.    xx.  437. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Candidates  Solinus,  Rensselaer,  and  Lydius. 

1662,  Oct.  2nd. 

Rev.  Peter  Solinus,  Rev.  ISTicholas  Rensselaer,  and  Isaac  Lydius, 
candidates  in  Sacred  Theology,  having  stood  within  with  the 
others,  request  to  be  received  among  those  recommended  by  the 
Classis.  The  Rev.  Assembly  read  their  testimonials.  After  they 
had  given  proof  of  their  gifts,  and  had  subscribed  the  formulae 
of  Concord,  their  request  was  granted,    vi.  278. 

Rev.  S.  Megapolensis. 

1662,  Oct.  2  (3?). 

Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis,  called  as  minister  to  ^N'ew  E'ether- 
land,  having  stood  within,  preached  a  brief  sermon  on  the  words 
in  Acts  26:17,  18,  wherein  he  bore  himself  in  such  a  way  that 
it  was  unanimously  judged  that  the  examination  be  proceeded 
with.  In  this  likewise  he  acquitted  himself  to  the  complete  satis- 
faction of  the  Rev.  Assembly,  so  that  he  was  ordained  to  the  min- 
istry by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  by  Rev.  Homma,  as  Examiner. 
He  then  subscribed  the  formulae  of  concord  and  the  rich  blessing 
of  the  Lord  was  invoked  upon  him  and  his  labors,  by  the  Assem- 
bly,    vi.  279;  xix.  92. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  529 


Council  Minutes.     Bushwick  School  Affairs. 

I  December  28,  1662. 

The  Commissaries  of  Boswyck  came  before  the  Board  and  represented,  that  they 
required  in  their  village  a  suitable  person  to  act  as  reader  and  schoolmaster,  to 
teach  the  children;  as  Boiidewyn  Maenhout  from  Crimpen  on  the  Leek*  had  been 
proposed  as  such  person,  they  had  made  an  agreement  with  him  that  he  should  act 
as  reader  and  also  keep  a  school  for  the  in;  truction  of  the  children,  for  which  he  Is 
to  receive  a  yearly  salary  of  four  hundred  florins  in  wampum  and  free  lodgings. 
They  request,  that  their  action  may  be  approved  by  the  Director  General  and 
Council  and  that  the  Company  may  contribute  something  towards  the  salary  every 
year. 

A  vote  having  been  taken, 

The  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  have  approved  the  engage- 
ment of  and  the  contract  made  with  said  Boudewyn  Maenhout,  on  condition  that 
the  same  be  first  examined  by  the  reverend  clergy  of  this  city  and  declared  fit  for 
the  performance  of  the  said  duties.  On  behalf  of  the  Company  twenty  five  fiorins 
heavy  money  shall  be  paid  to  said  Boudewyn,  to  make  the  payment  of  the  salary 
more  easy. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  519. 

Council  Minutes.    Church  Affairs  in  Midwout,  L.  I.    Magis- 
trates FOR  ]^Ew  Utrecht. 

January  4,  1663. 

Noble,  Very  Worshipful  Director  General  and  Honourable  Council  of  New  Nether- 
land. 

Upon  your  Honors'  order  the  undersigned  began  to  erect  a  church  edifice  at 
Midwout  in  September  1658  and  with  God's  help  they  have  accomplished  so  much, 
that  all  debts  have  been  paid.  Having  borne  the  burden  for  some  time  and  desir- 
ing to  be  freed  from  it,  also  considering,  that  we  are  mortal,  we  respectfully  re- 
quest,  that  we   might   be  discharged  and   an  order  made  to  that   effect   by   your 

Honors, 

Your  Honors'  obedient  servants, 

Johannes  Theodorus  Polhemius 

Jan  Strycker. 

The  foregoing  petition  was  received  and  read.  After  a  vote  upon  it,  it  was 
answered: 

The  petition  is  granted  and  the  Magistrates  of  Midwout  are  authorized,  to 
nominate  a  double  number,  from  which  the  Director  General  and  Council  will  select 
two  other  churchmasters  in  the  place  of  the  above.  Date  as  above. —  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.  xiv.  520. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies.     Pastor  for  ]^ew  Amstel. 

1663,  April  4tli. 

The  question  was  suggested,  whether  it  would  not  be  useful  to 
request  of  the  very  Hon.  Councilors  of  Amsterdam,  or  of  the 
Hon.  Commissioners,  that  a  pastor  should  again  he  sent  to  New 

♦  In  the  Province  of  South  Holland. 

34 


1662 


1663 


530  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Ainstel,  in  'New  l^etherland,  on  the  South  (Delaware)  river,  in 
the  place  left  vacant  by  Rev.  Mr.  Welius,  deceased.  Whereas  it 
has  been  ascertained  from  the  Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India 
Company,  who  have  also  agreed  to  contribute  their  share  towards 
it,  that  this  matter  remains  to  be  disposed  of  by  the  Hon.  the  very- 
worthy.  Burgomasters  of  the  city  of  Amsterdam,  it  was  resolved 
to  urge  the  matter  upon  them. —  Vol.  xxi.  3. 

(1663,  April,  Rev.  John  Livingston,  of  Ancrum,  Scotland,  fled 
to  Holland.  He  was  ancestor  of  Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston, 
famous  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  1770-1825.  See  Steven's 
Hist,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Rotterdam.  Also  Life  of  Rev. 
Dr.  John  H.  Livingston.) 

Extract  from  a  Letter  of  the  Directors  to  Stutvesai^t  : 
Huguenots  ;  Quaxers. 

(April  16,  1663.) 

You  have  not  been  correctly  informed  in  regard  to  a  renewed  request  of  the 
oppressed  Pledmontese  for  transportation  to  New  Netherland,  but  we  tiave  been 
approached  on  a  similar  subject  by  and  in  the  name  of  the  Protestant  people  of 
Rochelle,  who  are  now  also  considerably  oppressed  and  deprived  of  their  privileges. 
Although  we  cannot  as  yet  say  much  about  it,  it  is  not  unlikely  that  it  will  go  on 
Bome  time  and  then  we  shall  not  fail  to  give  you  timely  notice  before  they  arrive, 
that  you  may  make  the  necessary  preparations.  As  in  the  meantime  more  and 
more  people  will  come  there  from  here  every  day,  we  think,  that  you  should  not 
delay  the  purchasing  of  fertile  and  conveniently  located  lands  from  the  natives,  to 
anticipate  the  English  and  be  in  possession  of  these  lands  more  rightfully  and 
peacefully.     You  will  act  accordingly. 

Your  last  letter  informed  us  that  you  had  banished  from  the  Province  and  sent 
hither  by  ship  a  certain  Quaker,  John  Bowne  by  name:  although  we  heartily  desire, 
that  these  and  other  sectarians  remained  away  from  there,  yet  as  they  do  not,  we 
doubt  very  much,  whether  we  can  proceed  against  them  rigorously  without  diminish- 
ing the  population  and  stopping  immigration,  which  must  be  favored  at  a  so  tender 
stage  of  the  country's  existence.  I'^ou  may  therefore  shut  your  eyes,  at  least  not 
force  people's  consciences,  but  allow  every  one  to  have  his  own  belief,  as  long  as 
he  behaves  quietly  and  legally,  gives  no  offence  to  his  neighbors  and  does  not  oppose 
the  government.  As  the  government  of  this  city  has  always  practised  this  maxim 
of  moderation  and  consequently  has  often  had  a  considerable  influx  of  people,  we 
do  not  doubt,  that  your  Province  too  would  be  benefitted  by  it. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
xiv.  525,  526. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  531 

Council  Mintjtes Church  at  Amesfoort  ; 

Tithes  ; 

May  26,  1663. 
To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. 

Humbly  and  respectfully  show  the  Schepens  of  the  village  of  Amesfoort,  for 
themselves  and  for  the  good  Inhabitants  of  that  village,  that  the  petitioners  are 
building  a  church,  to  hear  God's  word  taught  therein,  and  as  they  have  so  far  done 
the  worli,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Director  General  and  Council,  at  their  own 
expense  and  trouble  with  great  labor,  but  now  find,  that  it  shall  cost  much  more 
than  they  calculated,  while  the  harvest  of  last  year  was  a  very  bad  one,  which 
made  them  get  in  debt,  therefore  your  petitioners  humbly  turn  to  your  Honors  and 
request,  to  be  excused  from  paying  the  tenths  for  this  year  or  that  your  Honors 
win  make  provisions  for  continuing  the  work  on  the  Church  with  diligence  and  for 
the  honor  of  God's  holy  name.     Wherewith  etc. 

Your  Honors'  obedient  servants 

The  Magistrates  of  Amesfoort. 
By  their  order, 

Adrian  Hegeman,  Secretary  pro  hac. 
—  Col.  Does.  N.  Y.  xlv.  527. 

William  Beeckman  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ; — New  Swedish 

Clergyman. 

Altena,  June  6,  1683. 

Sir.  Until  to-day  no  chance  has  offered  itself,  to  speak  with  the  new  Swedish  or 
Lutheran  Domine.*  I  shall  forward  to  him  the  desired  matter,  pursuant  to  your 
Honorable  Worship's  order.    Vale. 

•Abelius  Zetscoorn.  Acrellus  says  of  him:  "A  student,  A.  Selskoorn,  came  to  the 
country  and  for  some  time  held  divine  service  at  Sand-hook  (New  Castle),  then  went 
to  New  Amsterdam  and  received  a  call  from  Stuyvesant;  he  never  had  charge  of 
any  congregation  on  the  South  River  as  a  regularly  ordained  clergyman. —  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.  xii.  431,  432. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  Megapolensis. 

1663,  June  2nd. 

The  Depntati  ad  res  Indicas  report  that  Rev.  Megapolensis, 
Junior,  called  as  minister  to  !N^ew-  !N^etherland,  has  caused  to  be 
asked  thro'  them,  of  the  Hon.  Directors,  an  increase  in  his  salary, 
because  he  will  have  to  preach  in  two  languages.  The  Rev.  Classis 
resolved  not  to  enter  into  this  subject.  And  whereas  it  is  reported 
that  he  is  also  studying  medicine  in  Leyden,  the  Rev.  Deputati 
will  call  his  attention  to  the  Synodical  resolution  against  the 
practice  of  medicine   (by  ministers,)   and  that  according  to  hia 


1663 


1663 


532  Ecclesiastical  Records 

promise  he  must  depart  as  soon  as  possible,  the  sooner  the  better, 
to  his  designated  field  of  labor,    vi.  308,  309;  xix.  100. 

(See  many  items  against  ministers  also  practising  medicine  in 
extracts  from  minutes  of  Synod.) 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

Rev.   Samuel  Megapolensis,   yet   in   Holland,   to  the   Classis   of 

Amsterdam,  June  1663. 

The  original  was  in  Latin,  but  is  now  wanting.    It  is  referred  to, 
with  an  abstract,  in  Acts  of  Deputies  of  June  25,  1663. 


William  Beeckman  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ;   

Altena,  June  24,  1663. 


Abelius  Zetscoren  received  an  invitation  and  call  from  the  Swedisli  congregation, 
subject  to  your  Honor's  approval,  but  Domine  Laers  objects  to  it  with  all  his  in- 
fluence, so  that  the  Commissaries  were  compelled  to  threaten  him  with  a  protest, 
before  he  could  be  persuaded  to  permit  Domine  Letscoren  to  preach  on  the  second 
day  of  Pentecost. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  433. 


Order  to  Enforce  the  British  I^avigation  Act  in  the  Plan- 
tations. 

June  24,  1663. 

Abstract. —  This  required  that  all  goods  from  the  Plantations  should  go  first  to 
Great  Britain;  but  this  had  not  been  always  obeyed,  and  hence  the  King's  revenues 
were  decreased.  This  applied  especially  to  Monados,  (Manhattan)  and  other  planta- 
tions of  Hollanders.  Complaints  were  also  made  that  the  Dutch  had  intruded  on 
the  Manahtoes  and  Long  Island. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  iii.  45,  46. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1663,  Jime  25th. 

Rev.  Mr.  Mensoo  read  a  certain  letter,  written  in  Latin,  from 
Rev.  (Samuel)  Megapolensis,  already  called  by  this  Classis,  to  the 
service  of  the  church  in  l^ew  Motherland.  In  this  he  requests 
that  his  call  may  be  made  out  before  his  departure,  and  that  the 
blank  spaces  in  the  same  may  be  left  open,  that  when  he  shall 
have  arrived  in  "New  !N'etherland  he  may  insert  the  name  of  the 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  533 

place  to  which  he  may  be  sent.  Furthermore,  he  has  also 
had  his  brother  orally  request  Rev.  Mr.  Mensoo  for  a  testi- 
monial concerning  the  examination  which  he  passed,  some- 
what broader  and  ampler  than  that  usually  given;  also,  that 
the  Brethi-en,  the  Deputies  would  request  the  Directors  for 
an  increase  of  his  salary.  Resolved,  in  regard  to  the  first 
and  second,  that  we  abide  by  the  ordinary  formula,  instituted 
by  Rev.  Classis  for  that  purpose.  Touching  the  third,  an  in- 
crease of  salary,  we  understand  that  this  must  be  done  by  order 
of  Classis,  whither  this  request  is  referred.  Also  as  it  is  under- 
stood upon  good  authority  that  Megapolensis  is  at  present  studying 
medicine  at  Leyden,  in  order  that  he  may  obtain  a  doctors  degree 
before  his  departure,  so  that  he  may  practice  medicine  in  Il^ew 
IsTetherland,  in  addition  to  preaching.  Resolved,  that  we  inform 
him,  when  he  returns  here,  in  respect  to  the  resolution  of  several 
Synods  which  oppose  this  practice;  also  at  the  same  time  to  make 
this  matter  known  in  Classis. 

In  reference  to  another  request  to  send  a  pastor  to  I^ew  Amstel 
on  the  South  River,  of  which  mention  was  made  in  previous  min- 
utes, Rev.  Mr.  Stoot  reports  that  Mr.  Van  Polsbrock  has  been 
conferred  with  on  this  subject,  and  has  replied  that  the  City  Coun- 
cil has  not  yet  acted  in  this  matter.  The  reason  is  that  the  Hon. 
Commissioners  appointed  for  this  business  were  to  furnish  them 
with  further  advice,  which  they  were  expecting  on  the  arrival  of 
the  Governor-General.  After  receivino^  said  advice  thev  would 
act  upon  it.    xxi.  3,  4. 

Correspondence  from  America.     Rev.   J.   T.   Polhemus   to   the 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

1663,  Sept.  11/21. 

Reverend,  Very  Learned  and  Pious  Gentlemen  — 
Dear  Brethren  in  Jesus  Christ : — 

With  my  humble  salutations,  I  hereT\^th  inform  your  Rever- 
ences of  my  actual  condition,  and  that  by  the  grace  of  God,  I  still 
continue  in  my  calling  and  in  my  services  to  the  congregation 


1663 


1663 


534  Ecclesiastical  Records 

here,  for  which,  the  Lord  be  praised.  I  wrote  last  year,  that  there 
is  no  communication  among  the  churches  here,  in  reference  to 
ecclesiastical  business.  As  there  is  yet  no  improvement  in  this 
respect,  I  now  mention  it  again,  that  I  may  not  neglect  my  duty 
therein.  You  will  undoubtedly  hear  from  our  colleague,  Domine 
Gideon  Schaats,  at  Fort  Orange,  that  his  oldest  daughter,  who  is 
not  married,  has  been  brought  to  bed  with  a  child  by  a  strange 
married  man,  whose  legal  wife  publicly  complains  of  the  matter. 
Her  conduct  for  some  years  past  has  not  been  above  reproach; 
but  nothing  having  been  said  about  her,  I  was  silent,  for  I  did  not 
wish  to  intermeddle  with  another  man's  affairs.  I  only  mention 
it  to  your  Reverences  now,  for  I  do  not  think  I  should  remain 
strictly  silent.  As  to  the  congregation  I  say:  Quicquid  delirant 
rages,  plectuntur  Achivi  (Whenever  the  Kings  are  mad,  the 
Greeks  weep).  But  the  good  God  has  assisted  us  in  promoting 
the  salvation  of  his  people,  and  has  granted  us  the  desired  deliver- 
ance, for  which  we  give  him  our  best  thanks.  Herewith  I  com- 
mend you  all  to  his  blessing.  Given  at  Midwout  in  ^N'ew  I^ether- 
land,  on  Long  Island,  the  11th  of  Sept.  1663. 

Your  Reverences  specially  obliged, 

Johannes  T.  Polhemus. 

Domine  Blom's  Desceiption  of  the  Church  of  Kingston. 
—  Account  of  the  Massacre  at  the  Esopus,  1663. 

1663,  Sept.  18. 
Reverend,  Wise  Right  Learned,  and  Pious: 

The  Btate  and  condition  of  my  Church,  situate  in  the  village  of  Wiltwyck,  in  the 
Esopus  country,  in  New  Netherland,  since  my  three  years  residence  there  is  some- 
what prosperous,  through  God's  blessing  and  mercy,  as  well  iA  members,  which 
have  Increased  from  sixteen  to  sixty,  as  in  hearers,  and  all  was  well  ordered  in 
Church  matters  and  Consistory,  so  that  everything  is  placed  on  a  good  footing.  I 
have  also  laid  a  good  foundation,  both  by  private  and  public  Instruction  of  Cate- 
chlsts,  both  within  and  without  my  house,  as  also  by  the  explanation  of  the 
Catechism,  so  that  this  newly  rising  community  began  to  grow  and  to  bloom  right 
worthily,  when  a  cruel  blow  overtook  it,  and  the  Heathens  fell  on,  and  right  sorely 
treated  our  Church  and  Commonality,  and  under  the  guise  of  friendship  murdered 
and  also  captured  many;  they  intended  to  destroy  this  Church  altogether,  and  to 
devour  it  alive,  had  not  the  Lord  our  God  wonderfully  protected  it,  and  they  fled, 
having  taken  a  fright  in  their  heart,  when  no  person  drove  fhem  away.  So  that 
we  escaped  with  the  most  part  of  the  inhabitants,  and  have  still  retained  the  place. 
The  Lord  only  be  thanked  therefor,  not  men  —  for  men's  help  was  far  from  us;  for 
the  soldiers  whom  we  had  before  were  discharged  and  sent  to  Holland.  There  lay 
the  burnt  and  slaughtered  bodies,  together  with  those  wounded  by  bullets  and  axes. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  535 

The  last  agonies  and  the  moans  and  lamentations  of  many  were  dreadful  to  hear. 
I  have  been  in  their  midst,  and  have  gone  Into  the  houses,  and  along  the  roads,  to 
speak  a  word  In  season,  and  that  not  without  danger  of  being  shot  by  the  Indians; 
but  I  went  on  my  mission,  and  considered  not  my  life  mine  own.  I  may  say  with 
Jeremiah,  "  I  am  he  who  hath  seen  misery  in  the  day  of  the  wrath  of  the  Lord  ". 

Consider  well,  worthy  colleagues,  how  manifold  Is  the  suffering  and  lamentation 
amongst  us,  of  our  wounded  who  fled  for  refuge  to  my  house,  and  of  others  who 
yielded  up  the  ghost  near  me, 

I  encouraged  our  people  as  much  as  possible,  out  of  God's  Word,  and  particularly 
In  prayer  to  God  who  hath  rescued  us.  We  must  behold  God's  flock  taken  away 
Into  captivity  by  the  Heathen,  and  Death  come  in  unexpectedly  by  the  windows, 
and  cut  off  the  children  from  the  highways,  and  the  young  men  from  the  streets; 
so  that  I  might  exclaim  — O!  my  Bowels  —  my  Bowels!  I  am  pained  at  my  very 
heart! — and  with  Jeremiah,  O  that  mine  head  were  water,  and  mine  eyes  a  fountain 
of  tears,  that  I  might  weep  for  the  slain  of  my  people;  for  the  dead  lay  as  sheaves 
behind  the  mower. 

The  burnt  bodies  were  most  frightful  to  behold.  A  woman  lay  burnt,  with  her 
child  at  her  side,  as  If  she  were  just  delivered,  of  which  I  was  a  living  witness. 
Other  women  lay  burnt  also  in  their  houses;  and  one  corpse  with  her  fruit  still 
In  her  womb,  most  cruelly  murdered  In  their  dwelling  with  her  husband  and  another 
child.  The  houses  w^ere  converted  Into  heaps  of  stones,  so  that  I  might  say  with 
MIcah,  We  are  made  desolate;  and  with  Jeremiah,  A  piteous  wail  may  go  forth  In 
his  distress.  But  In  all  this,  my  request  to  our  Brethren  is  to  remember  us  and 
our  suffering  Church  In  their  prayers.     With  Paul  I  say.  Brothers,  pray  for  us. 

'Tis  then  soe  that  wee  see  in  all  this  the  rod  and  Him  who  uses  it;  and  with  the 
Church  of  the  Lord  willingly  bear  the  Lord's  anger;  for  we  have  sinned  against 
him,  and  I  exhort  my  Congregation  to  patience  and  endurance;  and  lately,  at  our 
monthly  prayer-meeting,  I  took  my  text  from  Isaiah  42  —  Who  gave  Jacob  for  a 
spoil  and  Israel  to  the  robbers?  etc.  v.  24,  25;  and  such  other  verses  in  addition. 
I  have  also  every  evening  during  a  whole  month  offered  prayers  up  with  the  con- 
gregation, on  the  four  points  of  our  Fort,  under  the  blue  sky.  But  the  Lord 
strengthened  me  in  all  this. 

We  trust  and  depend  further  on  the  help  of  our  God,  that  he  will  not  altogether 
forsake  us,  but  vouchsafe  us  his  mercy  in  the  midst  of  his  Justice,  and  evince  his 
power  in  our  weakness;  for  mountains  may  depart,  and  hills  fall  away,  but  his 
mercy  shall  not  once  depart  from  this  feeble  and  Infant  congregation.  For  we 
lean  on  his  mighty  arm,  and  he  shall  be  a  wall  of  fire  round  about  us,  and  require 
and  avenge  this  blood  on  the  heads  of  these  murderous  heathens.  Already  He  has 
begun  to  do  so.  Many  heathen  have  been  slain,  and  full  twenty  two  of  our  people 
in  captivity  have  been  delivered  out  of  their  hands  by  our  arms.  Another  expedi- 
tion Is  about  to  set  out.  The  Lord  our  God  will  again  bless  our  arms,  and  grant 
that  the  Foxes  who  have  endeavoured  to  lay  waste  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  shall 
be  destroyed. 

The  Indians  have  slain  in  all  twenty  four  souls  In  our  place,  and  taken  forty  five 
prisoners,  of  whom  thirteen  are  still  In  their  power.  About  the  same  number  of 
theirs  are  in  our  hands. 

The  Lord  our  God  will  make  all  turn  out  to  the  best  for  his  Church,  and  for  the 
peace  and  quiet  of  the  whole  land.  The  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  love  of 
God  the  Father,  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost  be  and  remain  with  you,  my 
worthy  colleagues  forever;  and  may  this  Triune  God  give  us  all  together  after  this 
strife,  the  crown  of  immortal  glory;  and  should  we  no  more  behold  each  other  here, 
may  we  see  each  other  hereafter  in  our  Bridegroom's  chamber,  securely  sheltered 
behind  the  blue  curtains  of  the  Heavens  —  in  the  third  Heaven  of  Abraham's 
bosom,  where  shall  be  joy  without  sorrow,  and  a  never-ending  gladness,  always 
and  forever;  and  receive  altogether  the  hearty  greeting  of  me  who  am  one  of  the 
least  of  the  servants  of  Christ  Jesus  in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 

Hermanns  Blom. 
the  18th  of  September  1663, 
in  New  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  Egra  manu. —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  ill.  582,  583. 

Among  the  list  of  killed  at  Wlltwyck  in  1663,  Is  mentioned  "  Dominie  Laer's 
child."  He  was  a  Lutheran  minister,  who  seems  to  have  been  In  this  vicinity  at 
this  time.    . 


1663 


1663 


536  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1663,  'NoY.  6th. 

Whereas  it  is  understood  that  the  Hon.  Council  of  Amsterdam, 
through  their  Hon.  Committee,  approve  of  sending  another  pastor 
to  'New  Amstel  on  the  South  River;  therefore,  Resolved,  that  we 
appoint  a  committee  thereon,  to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  the  mat- 
ter as  soon  as  possible.  Subsequently  we  will  take  the  matter 
in  hand,  or  bring  it  before  the  Classis.  The  committee  appointed, 
consists  of  Revs.  Mensoo  and  Stoot.    xxi.  12. 

William  Beeckman  to  Director  Stuyvesant  ;  Rev.  Abelius 
Zetskoorn",  LuTHERAisr  Minister  at  'N:ew  Amstel;  Efforts 
to  Induce  Him  to  Settle  at  Tinnecongh  in  the  Place  of 
DoMiNE  Laers  ;  Death  of  Andries  Hudde. 


Abelius  Zetskoorn  has  been  called  by  those  of  the  Augsburg  Confession,  who 
belong  to  the  Colony  of  New  Amstel,  as  I  informed  your  Honorable  Worships  before 
this,  with  the  consent  of  Director  and  Council  there,  subject  to  the  approval  of 
their  very  Honorable  Worships,  the  Lords  Burgomasters.  Since  his  staying  there, 
he  has  been  here  in  the  district  of  the  Honorable  Company  only  once  (it  was  last 
Whit-monday)  and  then  he  preached  at  Tinnakunck  at  the  request  of  the  Swedish 
Commissaries.  Afterwards  he  was  offered  as  high  a  salary,  as  Domine  Laers 
receives;  they  wanted  him  especially  as  schoolmaster,  but  they  of  New  Amstel 
would  not  let  him  go.  In  regard  to  the  information,  received  by  your  Honorable 
Worships,  that  he  also  administers  the  rite  of  baptism,  this  is  not  true:  I  shall 
expect  your  Honorable  Worships'  further  orders  in  this  matter. 

Altena,  November  15,  1663.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  446,  447. 


Letter  from  Director  Stuyvesant  to  the  Magistrates  at 
Wiltwyck:  Collections  for  the  Church  and  for  the 
Poor;  Superintendence  of  Intestates'  Estates. 

Honorable,  Dear  Faithful  Friends. —  You  will  learn  from  the  enclosed  copy  what 
we  have  written  to  the  Reverend  Consistory  of  Wiltwyck  and  we  do  not  doubt, 
that  such  abuses  will  be  prevented  in  future.  We  have  also  been  informed  from 
that  side  and  we  shall  learn  in  due  time,  whether  it  is  true  or  not,  that  you  have 
arrogated  the  disposal  of  what  is  collected  in  the  community  either  for  the  Church 
or  for  the  poor.  If  it  is  so,  then  it  is  our  opinion  and  we  command,  that  the  dis- 
posal and  the  distribution  of  it  shall  only  concern  the  Consistory  and  remain  until 
further  order  in  its  hands.  Therefore  you  must  in  no  way  presume,  but  one  side 
or  the  other  must  remain  within  the  boundaries  of  their  respective  positions  and 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  53Y 

confer  with  each  other  In  love  and  friendship,  which,  we  hope,  will  be  done.     We 
commend  you  to  God's  grace  and  protection  and  remain  with  cordial  greetings, 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Friends. 

Fort  Amsterdam 

in  New  Netherland  21st  9ber,  1663. 

Postscript. 

As  we  have  referred  to  you,  because  it  was  proper  for  the  avoidance  of  further 
difficulties,  and  now  do  it  again,  that  a  good  and  strict  attention  and  care  should 
be  given  to  the  goods  and  effects  left  behind  by  such  persons,  as  should  die  without 
lawful  heirs  or  testamentary  disposition,  therefore  we  have  also  for  pregnant  rea- 
sons resolved,  that  the  money-proceeds  from  such  estates  shall  be  placed  in  charge 
of  the  overseers  of  the  poor,  after  the  liabilities  and  assets  have  been  adjusted;  so 
that  the  same  may  be  better  talien  care  of,  until  it  is  proved  who  has  a  right  to 
the  money.  Relying  hereupon  we  commend  you  again  to  God's  protection  and 
remain  with  cordial  greetings, 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  friends. 

Actum  Amsterdam 

in  New  Netherland,  21st  9ber,  1663.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  306. 

Letter  from  Stuyvesant  to  the  Consistory  at  Wiltwyck 
They  are  'Not  to  Interfere  in  !J^Iatters  Concerning  In- 
testate Estates. 

Reverend,  Pious  and  Very  Discreet  Friends,  You  will  see  by  the  enclosed  copy, 
of  what  the  Magistrates  of  the  village  of  Wiltwyck  have  complained  to  us.  It 
appears  strange  to  us,  that  you  oppose  the  magistrates  in  matters  of  such  a  nature, 
for  upon  them  fall  the  duty  properly,  to  appoint  administrators  and  to  have  the 
estates  inventoried;  the  Consistory  has  no  direction  in  it,  much  less,  should  it  pro- 
nounce any  interdict  through  the  Court  messenger  against  rendering  an  account  to 
the  Commissaries  or  the  administrators  appointed  by  them  for  the  estate  left 
behind  by  this  or  that  person  without  heirs  or  testamentary  disposition,  for  they 
are  bound  by  their  official  duties  to  take  care  of  the  estates  through  orphan-mas- 
ters or  curators,  that  after  the  liabilities  and  assets  have  been  adjusted,  absent 
heirs  may  obtain  their  own.  In  case  the  overseers  of  the  poor  or  the  Consistory 
should  have  or  pretend  to  have  some  claim  upon  an  estate  for  advanced  money, 
given  either  for  funeral  expenses  or  on  interest  or  as  a  loan  to  this  or  that  person, 
then  they  could  not  be  their  own  judges,  much  less  arrogate  the  estate  on  their 
own  authority,  but  they  must  proceed  according  to  law  and  get  an  order  of  attach- 
ment, when  it  is  required.  You  are  therefore  hereby  required  not  to  make  any 
opposition  to  the  inventory  of  some  intestate  estate,  much  less  to  order  anybody 
through  the  Court  messenger  or  forbid  him,  to  give  a  special  account  or  reliquat 
to  the  Court  or  the  guardians  appointed  by  it,  nor  to  forbid  or  prevent  the  pay- 
ment of  a  debt  in  any  other  manner,  than  by  attachment  and  other  such  legal  pro- 
ceedings before  the  Court.  You  may  appeal  in  behalf  of  the  deacons  or  the  Church 
if  you  find  yourself  wi'onged. 

As  renewed  complaints  have  been  made  in  this  regard  by  the  Magistrates,  we 
trust  that  the  error  committed  by  you  will  be  promptly  corrected  and  avoided  in 
future;  but  we  are  also  informed  and  shall  hear  in  due  time,  whether  it  is  true  or 
not,  that  the  Magistrates  tried  to  arrogate  the  disposal  of  what  is  collected  in  the 
community  for  the  Church  or  the  poor.  If  it  is,  as  we  are  informed,  then  we  are 
of  opinion  and  direct,  that  the  disposal  and  distribution  of  it  properly  concerns  and 
shall  remain  in  the  care  of  the  Consistory.  We  recommend  you,  the  one  side  and 
the  other,  before  closing  each  to  remain  within  the  boundaries  of  your  respective 
positions  and  to  continue  as  well  officially  as  privately  to  live  together  in  mutual 
friendship  and  harmony;  we  inform  you  both  hereof  in  love  and  friendship  and 
rely  upon  its  proper  observance.  We  commend  you  all  to  God's  protection  and 
remain  with  greetings. 

Honorable,  Pious  and  Very  Discreet  Friends. 

Fort  Amsterdam, 

2l8t  November  1663.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  307. 


1663 


1663 


638  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Answer  of  Rev.  Hermanus  Blom  to  Director  Stuyvesant's 
Letter,  Concerning  Clerical  Affairs  at  Wiltwyck. 

Very  Worshipful,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Sir.  Sir: —  Your  letter  of  ttie  21st 
of  November  has  been  received  by  us  as  well  as  the  enclosed  copy,  sent  by  your 
Honor.  We  should  have  answered  the  same  properly,  but  cannot  do  it  now  on 
account  of  the  hurried  departure  of  the  yachts  and  defer  it  therefore  to  a  better 
opportunity.  In  regard  to  the  estates  of  deceased  persons  we  have  done  no  more, 
than  to  send  our  clerk  to  Cornells  Slecht  and  Juriaen  Westval,  that  they  should  not 
give  up  the  surplus  of  the  estates  into  the  hands  of  the  Magistrates,  before  we  have 
examined  whether  the  overseers  of  the  poor  or  the  village  were  authorized  to  receive 
It  and  we  maintain  that  position,  until  we  are  better  informed;  that  is  the  whole 
of  the  matter,  while  they  write  so  amply  about  it,  that  we  do  it  judicially  and 
trouble  ourselves  with  their  business  and  assume  their  duties  and  other  things. 
Your  Honors  may  see  now,  what  it  amounts  to;  methiuks,  we  are  not  so  wrong  in 
this  matter,  if  we  want  to  examine  the  case  ourselves  and  discover  who  has  a 
claim  to  the  money,  when  there  are  no  heirs,  for  it  is  our  duty  to  take  care  of  the 
poor  and  we  have  at  present  a  heavy  burden  laid  upon  us;  much  less  we  meddle 
with  matters  of  this  nature  in  opposition  to  the  civil  authorities,  to  compel  the 
same  to  appoint  curators  of  the  estate,  nor  have  we  ever  thought  of  it,  much  less 
even  to  forbid  them  through  the  Court  messenger,  while  it  has  only  been  done  by 
our  clerk,  who  simply  spoke  of  the  aforesaid  persons:  we  leave  them  to  attend  to 
their  duties  and  have  enough  to  do  with  ours,  but  they  do  not  the  same,  as  the  fol- 
lowing will  show. 

We  also  learn  from  your  Honor's  letter,  that  they  have  made  several  complaints, 
while  the  Magistrates  have  not  yet  heard  the  Consistory,  except  Albert  Haymensen, 
whom  they  call  the  Consistory  and  him  they  he'ar  whimsically  at  their  meeting 
instantaneously  summoned,  while  he  is  only  a  member  of  the  Consistory,  for  the 
Consistory  consists  in  the  country,  where  the  number  of  elders  is  only  small,  of 
the  preacher,  the  elders  and  deacons,  according  to  the  order  of  the  Synod  of  Dort, 
as  your  Honor  knows 

The  Magistrates  summoned,  as  your  Honors  know,  the  preacher  and  I  answered, 
that  they  must  not  let  me  wait,  but  they  say,  the  messenger  had  given  as  reason, 
because  it  was  a  day  of  prayer  the  next  day  and  I  had  to  preach  therefore;  then  I 
had  to  come  immediately  with  Albert  Heymansen,  one  of  the  Consistory,  so  that 
the  matter  was  not  delayed;  we  will  show  your  Honor  in  due  time,  how  they  have 
treated  us  in  regard  to  other  ecclesiastical  matters  etc.  as  well  as  to  the  house  of 

Claesjen  Teunis,  also  how  they  have  compelled  us  by  some  documents  to 

before  the  church  in  the  afternoon 

Hermanus  Blom. 

Wiltwick,  December  3,  1663. 

(Parts  of  this  letter  are  gone.) —  Col.  Does.  N.  Y.  xiii.  311. 

Letters  from  the  Magistrates  at  Wiltwyck  to  Director 
Stuyvesant  on  General  Matters  and  the  Quarrel  with 
THE  Church. 

Noble,  Very  Worshipful,  Honorable,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen: — 

We  trust  your  Honorable  Worships  have  received  our  last  letter  of  the  3rd  of 
December  with  the  journal  of  daily  occurrences.  We  inform  your  Honorable  Wor- 
ships herewith,  that  since  the  3rd  of  December  we  have  not  heard  of  any  hostile 
rencontres,  we  remain  in  the  meantime  on  our  guard  and  shall  continue  so.  We 
send  your  Honorable  Worships  some  old  pieces  of  property  in  Reijntje  Pieter's 
yacht,  namely  six  muskets  with  five  locks  and  eleven  cutlasses  and  sabers.  We 
hope  to  receive  from  your  Honorable  Worships  the  necessary  provisions  for  the 
military  in  the  Company's  yacht  before  winter  and  the  heavy  frost;  most  of  the 
soldiers  are  ill  provided  with  clothing  for  expeditions  and  standing  on  guard  and  as 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  539 

to  eatables  for  thelTr  subsistence,  they  cannot  very  well  get  them  here,  because 
peas  and  other  victuals  cannot  be  obtained  here  in  Wiltwyck  except  with  great 
trouble  and  at  excessive  prices.  With  God's  help,  our  own  good  information  and 
other  reports,  we  shall  do  our  best  during  the  winter,  to  do  as  much  harm  to  our 
enemies,  as  we  can  and  wherever  it  might  be,  with  detachments  of  lifteen,  twenty, 
twenty  five  or  more  men  from  tlie  military  or  resident  volunteers,  whom  we  think 
fit  thereto,  unless  your  Honorable  Worships  should  give  us  other  orders.  The  book 
number  four  kept  in  Wiltwyck  has  been  closed  and  only  half  of  it  has  been  copied. 
It  can  therefore  not  be  sent  down  unless  during  the  winter  by  a  mail  from  Fort 
Orange  or  next  spring.  Closing  with  our  salutations  we  commend  your  Honor- 
able Worships  to  God's  protection  and  remain, 

Your  Honorable  Worships'  faithful  and  obedient  servants, 


1663 


Wiltwyck,  Thomas  Chambers. 

December  12th  1663. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Descreet 
Gentlemen,  the  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  at  Fort  Amster- 
dam In  New  Netherland. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  317. 

Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Prudent,  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen. — 

Your  Honorable  Worships'  letter  was  thankfully  received  by  us  on  the  26th  of 
November  last  past  and  we  have  accepted  most  of  its  contents  with  pleasure,  but 
we  are  highly  astonished  that  your  Honorable  Worships  as  our  supreme  authority 
here  in  New  Netherland  should  have  taken  away  the  small  privileges  of  this  vil- 
lage and  destroyed  the  authority  of  the  Commissaries,  for  we  see  by  your  Honor- 
able Worships'  order,  that  the  surplus  resulting  from  estates  left  behind  by  this  or 
that  person  shall  be  placed  into  the  hands  of  the  overseers  of  the  poor,  that  it 
may  be  better  and  more  safely  taken  care  of  by  them.  The  Magistrates  of  this  vil- 
lage are  therefore  much  dissatisfied,  unless  your  Honorable  Worships  had  appointed 
orphan  masters  for  this  place  or  mistrusting  us  had  required  security,  as  is  done  in 
Court  when  guardians  are  appointed.  If  your  Honorable  Worships  will  transfer 
not  only  part,  but  all  the  duties  and  rights  of  the  Commissaries  to  Domine  Her- 
manns Blom  and  his  Consistory  Albert  Heymansen,  for  before  or  during  our  time 
no  deacon  has  been  elected,  who  could  either  read  or  write,  except  the  Domine 
alone,  who  sides  with  Albert  Heymansen,  who  has  shown  himself  more  than  once 
as  an  instigator  of  quarrels. 

Finally  the  Court  of  this  village  is  amazed,  that  your  Honorable  Worships  have 
given  us  no  answer  to  our  request  concerning  the  farming  of  the  beer  and  wine,  as 
we  are  dunned  by  several  parties  on  account  of  the  arrearage  on  the  Doniine's 
house  and  have  no  revenues,  while  the  expenses  of  the  village  increas  daily.  Clos- 
ing with  salutations  we  commend  your  Honorable  Worships  to  God's  protection 
and  in  the  expectation  of  further  orders  we  remain. 

Your  Honorable  Worships'  obedient  and  faithful. 

RoelofC  Swartwout 
The  mark  X  of  Albert  Gysbertsen 

Tierck  Classen  de  Witt 


Thomas  Chambers 
Gysbert  van  Imborgh. 


Actum  Wiltwyck, 

the  12th  December  1663.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  318. 


Petition-  of  the  Schout  an-d  Magistrates  of  Bergen,  that 
Engelbert  Steenhuy^sen-  Shall  Perform  His  Contract  as 
Schoolmaster. 

To  the  Noble,  Honorable,  Very  Worshipful  Director  General  and  Council  at  Fort 
Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland.  Show  humbly  the  Schout  and  Commissaries  of 
the  village  of  Bergen,  that,  as  your  Honors  undoubtedly  know,  before  the  going 
out  of  oflJce  and  the  election  of  new  Commissaries,   Michael  Jansen  Sail  has  been 


1663 


540  Ecclesiastical  Records 

before  your  Honors  and  requested  that  we  might  have  a  precentor,  who  could  also 
keep  school  for  the  instruction  and  education  of  our  young  children  and  that 
your  Honors  proposing  one  Engelbert  Steenhuysen  as  a  suitable  person  the  Schout 
and  Commissaries  repeated  this  proposition  more  than  a  year  ago  to  the  com- 
munity, which  resolved  to  employ  him  not  only  as  precentor,  but  also,  this  was 
expressly  stipulated,  to  keep  school.  The  said  Steenhuysen  accepted  this  and  has 
now  served  for  more  than  fifteen  months,  for  which  he  was  allowed  a  salary  of 
two  hundred  and  fifty  guilders  in  wampum  annually  and  some  other  emoluments, 
besides  the  school  fees,  considered  proper  and  fair.  Now  being  the  owner  of  a 
house  and  lot  and  of  a  double  bouwery  in  the  jurisdiction  of  the  village  of  Bergen 
the  said  Engelbert  Steenhuysen  has  upon  the  complaint  of  the  majority  of  the 
community  been  directed  to  maintain  a  soldier  like  the  other  inhabitants;  this 
has  aggrieved  the  said  Engelbert  Steenhuysen  so  much,  that  he  has  resigned  his 
office,  asserting  that  a  schoolmaster  should  be  exempt  from  all  village  taxes  and 
burden,  as  it  is  customary,  he  says,  everywhere  in  Christendom.  The  Schout  and 
Commissaries  interpret  this  to  be  the  case,  when  a  precentor  has  only  the  school 
lot,  but  not  when  a  schoolmaster  owns  a  lot  and  a  double  bouwery;  tTie  community 
is  also  opposed  to  his  being  exempted  for  his  lot  and  lands,  for  he  receives  a  salary 
as  precentor  and  is  bound  to  serve  not  only  as  precentor,  but  also  to  select  himself 
and  provide  a  fit  and  convenient  place  to  keep  school  in,  which  he  has  failed  to  do 
until  this  day,  pretending  the  community  must  designate  and  provide  such  a  place 
fit  for  a  school-house.  The  petitioners  are  of  opinion,  that  Engelbert  Steenhuysen 
cannot  resign  his  office,  without  giving  a  notice  of  six  months  of  his  intention  so 
to  do  and  therefore  the  petitioners  address  themselves  to  your  Honors  with  the 
humble  request,  to  direct  the  said  Engelbert  Steenhuysen  that  he  must  continue 
his  services  during  the  second  year  now  commenced,  and  to  decide  whether  he  is 
not  bound  to  maintain  on  behalf  of  his  lot  and  land  a  soldier  like  the  other  inhab- 
itants.    Awaiting  your  Honors'  decision  we  remain. 

Your  Honors'  very  obedient  servants, 

Caspar  Steinmets, 
Tielman  van  Vleeck. 

December  17th.  [1663?] 

The  Schout,  Commissaries  and  Engelbert  Steenhuysen,  mentioned  in  the  forego- 
ing petition,  having  been  summoned  before  the  Council  and  heard,  the  parties 
were  made  to  agree  after  divers  debates  and  it  was  arranged,  that  Engelbert  Steen- 
huysen should  duly  serve  the  rest  of  the  term  according  to  contract,  as  mentioned 
above.— Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  318.  319. 


Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Return  of  Rev.  Selyns  from  ]^ew  Motherland. 

1664,  Jan.  16th. 

The  same  Brethren,  Deputati  ad  cansas  Indicas,  state  that  they 
were  informed  by  one  of  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Com- 
pany, that  Rev.  Henriciis  Selyns,  minister  at  Brenkelen,  in  I^ew 
ISTetherland,  caused  his  father  to  notify  the  Directors,  that,  inas- 
much as  the  time  of  four  years,  during  which  he  had  pledged 
himself  to  the  service  of  the  church  in  Mew  Metherland,  had 
expired,  he  was  now  minded  to  return  home  again.  The  Assem- 
bly was  of  the  opinion  that  the  Rev.  Brethren,  the  Deputies, 


•'-"H..#'l|iw,,rtWi^i4ii 


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o 


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t:^ 

'O 

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•■  \ 

,-^^ 

Ui  - 

'      4| 

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v^i. 

.^^   ■ 

■■%.*• 

t  ^ 

^ 

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^ 

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r^ 

OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  541 

shall  inform  the  father  of  Kev.  Selyns,  that  he  will  have  to  give 
the  same  notice  to  the  Kev.  Classis.  They  will  also  request  the 
Hon.  Directors,  to  choose  and  send  another  minister  in  his  place. 
vi.  331;  xLx.  108. 

1664,  Jan.  20. 

Chamber  at  Amsterdam  to  Director  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. 


1664 


Domlne  (Samuel)  Megapolensis  goes  out  now  by  this  ship.  We  have  engaged  him 
as  Minister  on  the  same  terms  and  conditions  as  Domines  Blom  and  Selyns  were 
formerly  accepted,  viz.,  fifty  florins  a  month.  We  hope  he,  too,  will  give  satisfac- 
tion, and  perform  good  service  there,  which  we  shall  be  glad  to  hear  in  due  sea- 
son.— Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  223. 

COUET  MllNTUTES  OF  ISTeW  AMSTERDAM. 

Subscriptions  for  Defence. 

16B4,  Feb.  24. 

The  citizens  were  called  together  and  were  asked  how  much  they  would  give  on 
ten  per  cent  interest  for  the  improvement  of  the  defences  of  the  City.  We  find 
the  total  amount  subscribed  was  twenty  seven  thousand  five  hundred  florins,  or 
eleven  thousand  dollars.     Among  these 

Peter  Stuyvesant  gave,  fl-  1000. 

Domine  Johannes  Megapolensis,  ^00. 

Domine  Samuel  Drislus,  500. 

Domlne  Eagidius  Luyck,  '■^^• 

Hendrick  Kip,  Sr.  100. 

Isaac  de  Forest,  ^50. 

Jacob  Lelsler,  250. 

The  Deacons  of  the  Church,  Etc.,  etc.  2000. 

—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  v.  29-33. 

Extract  from  Patent  of  Charles  II  to  James,  Duke  of 
York,  for  the  Territory  of  ISTew  I^etherland,  as  Tar  as 
it  Relates  to  Ecclesiastical  Affairs. 

(From  Learning  and  Spicer's  Ed.  of  Laws.) 

1664,  March  12. 

Letter-Patent  of  Charles  II  to  James  Duke  of  York. 

And  further,   that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  our  said 

dearest  brother,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns,  by  these  presents  from  time  to  time,  to 
nominate,  make,  constitute,  ordain  and  confirm,  by  such  name  or  names,  stile  or 
stiles,  as  to  him  or  them  shall  seem  good;  and  likewise  to  revoke,  discharge, 
change  and  alter,  as  well  all  and  singular  Governors,  OflQcers,  Ministers  which  here- 
after shall  be  by  him  or  them  thought  fit  and  needful  to  be  made  or  used  within 
the  aforesaid  Parts  and  Islands:  And  also  to  make,  ordain  and  establish  all  manner 
of  Orders,  Laws,  Directions,  Instructions,  Forms  and  Ceremonies  of  Government 
and  Magistracy  fit  and  necessary  for,  and  concerning  the  Government  of  the  Terri- 
tories and  Islands  aforesaid;  so  always  that  the  same  be  not  contrary  to  the  Laws 
and  Statutes  of  this  our  realm  of  England,  but  as  near  as  may  be  agreeable  thereto. 
Page  15. 


542  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 


1664 


16»4,  June  24. 


James,   Duke  of  York   sells  New  Jersey   to  John   Lord   Berkley  and   Sir  George 
Carteret  with  same  conditions. 

1664,  March  17. 
The  children  of  the  Schools  to  be  catechised. 

Whereas  It  is  highly  necessary  and  of  great  consequence  that  the  youth,  from 
their  childhood,  is  well  instructed  in  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic,  and  princi- 
pally in  the  principles  and  fundaments  of  the  Christian  religion,  in  conformity  to 
the  lesson  of  that  wise  King  Solomon,  '  Learn  the  youth  the  first  principles,  and 
as  he  grows  old,  he  shall  then  not  deviate  from  it;  '  so  that  in  time  such  men  may 
arise  from  it,  who  may  be  able  to  serve  their  country  in  Church  or  in  State;  which 
being  seriously  considered  by  the  Director  General  and  Council  in  New  Netherland, 
as  the  number  of  children  by  God's  merciful  blessing  has  considerably  increased, 
they  have  deemed  necessary,  so  that  such  an  useful  and  to  our  (us)  God  agreeable 
concern  may  be  more  effectually  promoted,  to  recommend  the  present  schoolmaster, 
and  to  command  him,  so  as  it  is  done  by  this,  that  they  (Pietersen,  the  Principal, 
and  Van  Hoboocken,  of  the  branch  school  on  the  Bouwery)  on  "Wednesday,  before 
the  beginning  of  the  sermon,  with  the  children  entrusted  to  their  care,  shall  appear 
in  the  church  to  examine,  after  the  close  of  the  sermon,  each  of  them  his  own 
scholars,  in  the  presence  of  the  reverend  ministers  and  elders  who  may  there  be 
present,  what  they,  in  the  course  of  the  week,  do  remember  of  the  Christian  com- 
mands and  catechism,  and  what  progress  they  have  made;  after  which  the  children 
shall  be  allowed  a  decent  recreation. 

Done  in   Amsterdam,    New   Netherland,    this  17th   March,   1664,   by   the  Director 
General  and  Council.— Dunshee,  30. 

Another  translation  in  "  Laws  of  New  Netherland,"  461;  and  In  Am.   Ch.  Hist. 
Series,  viii.  52. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Letters  from  Polhemius. 

1664,  April  7th. 

A  certain  letter  written  bv  Rev.  Polhemius  of  'New  Xetherland, 
was  read  in  the  Assembly,  mentioning  how  little  correspondence 
was  held  among  the  (!N'ew  Netherland)  churches;  also  that  the 
daughter  of  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats,  bemg  unmarried,  had  come  to 
childbed  by  a  strange  and  married  man,  which  man's  wife  suf- 
fered keenly  therefrom;  but  that  the  affair  was  now  hushed  up. 
Tiie  letter  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  committee  ad  causas 
Indicas,  in  order  to  make  some  further  inquiries  thereupon,  and 
to  report  to  the  Rev.  Classis.     vi.  336. 

Churches  in  the  West  Indies.      (Brooklyn.) 

1664,  April  7th. 

The  Rev.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  also  reported  to  the  Assem- 
bly, how  that  they  had  presented  themselves  before  the  meeting 
of  the  Hon.   Directors   of   the  West  India   Company,  with   the 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  543 

request  that  the  Rev.  Classis  might  be  authorized  to  call  another 
minister  in  the  place  of  Eev.  Sullyns,  at  Breukelen  in  New  Nether- 
land.  Their  Honors  gave  for  answer,  that  for  the  present,  there 
was  no  opportunity  to  do  this,  on  account  of  some  difficulties  with 
the  English.  They  would,  nevertheless,  remember  the  matter 
favorably.     The  Rev.  Deputati  remain  further  charged  therewith. 

vi.  337;xix.  111. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1664,  April  8th. 

A  letter  from  Rev.  John  Polhemus,  pastor  at  Midwout  in  New 
Netherland,  dated  Sept.  11,  1663,  was  examined  and  read,  by 
order  of  Classis,  and  found  to  contain  two  points :  First,  a  com- 
plaint that  no  mutual  correspondence  was  carried  on  among  the 
churches  there;  second,  a  certain  sad  case  of  adultry  committed 
by  a  married  man,  with  the  eldest  daughter  of  Rev.  Gideon 
Schaats,  pastor  at  Fort  Orange. 

Resolved,  that  we  confer  with  some  of  the  Directors  of  the 
"West  India  Company  privately,  (and  request  them)  to  furnish 
the  Rev.  Classis  with  the  information  which  they  have  received. 
This  will  be  done  through  Rev.  President  and  clerk. 

Since  it  was  resolved  on  Nov.  6,  1663,  to  wait  upon  the  Hon. 
Burgomasters  in  reference  to  sending  a  pastor  to  the  South  River, 
in  New  Netherland,  the  Rev.  Classis  has  therefore,  having  ob- 
tained the  consent  of  the  Directors  thereto,  ordained,  and  sent, 
on  Nov.  26,  1663,  as  pastor  for  that  field,  the  Rev.  Warnerus 
Hassinck  (Hudson.)       xxi.  13. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1664,  April  21st. 

Rev.  J.  T.  Polhemus  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.       (Hardly 

decipherable.) 

Reverend,  Very  Learned  and  Beloved  Brethren  in  the  Lord: — 
With  my  respectful  salutations,  I  find  myself  compelled,  to 
open  our  wounds  before  your  Reverences,  in  order,  so  far  as  I 
am  concerned,  to  promote  the  desired  cure. 


1664 


1664 


544  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

1.  There  is  no  commiinication  among  ns,  in  reference  to  the 
administration  of  divine  services  nor  plans  provided  for  propa- 
gating the   Gospel  among  the  savages  and  the  English.       We 

receive,  indeed,  our  dues,  etc.,   but  in  reference  to  a 

teacher,  for  them,  we  must  bear  the  expense  ourselves,  or  leave 
them  uninstructed,  and  thus  they  grow  up  wdld,  more  and  more 
ignorant  of  God.  The  Quakers  also  are  compelled  to  go  before 
the  court,  and  be  put  under  oath;  but  such  compulsion  is  displeas- 
ing to  God. 

2.  As  to  ourselves,  each  goes  his  own  way,  without  any  cor- 
respondence between  us.  Those  who  are  outside  the  church 
are  hardly  noticed,  and  in  consequence  of  such  inattention  they 
follow  any  opinions  and  whims  of  the  community,  from  which  we 
obtain  our  bread  with  troubles. 

3.  The  defects  of  the  past  are  severely  criticized,  the  principal 

ones  are the  old  servants  remain.     They  card  wool, 

like  those  who  have  to  earn  their  living  by  it,  and  not  without 

remonstrance  over  the  injustice.      They  who  wield  the  sceptre 

here,  do  so  without  let  or  hindrance, oilIj  shorten  it, 

to  the  contempt  of  the  divine  service  and  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

I  hope.  Reverend  Brethren,  that  this  infonnation  may  be  received 

in  such  a  way,  that  I  may  remain  unsuspected  and  not  be  troubled 

therefor.      Thus  acting,  may  God  bless  us  all.      Fare  ye  well  in 

Christ. 

Your  Reverences  obedient  brother, 

J.  T.  Polhemus. 
21st  of  April,  1664. 

Midwout  in  !N'ew  Netherland. 

The  Secret  Instkuctions  as  to  Religion,  to  Col.  R.  ISTicolls, 
Etc.,  in  Reference  to  I^ew  England;  and  ISTew  !N'ethek- 
LAND,  if  Conquered. 

16S1,  April  23. 
Abstract. 

1.  The  commissioners  were  to  inform  themselves  of  the  true  state  of  the  colonies 
by  "  insinuating  "  themselves  by  "  dexterous  carriage  into  the  good  opinions  of  the 
principal  persons  there  ",  that  they  might  "  lead  "  them  "  to  desire  to  renew  their 
charters  and  to  make  such  alterations  as  will  appear  necessary  for  their  own  bene- 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  545 

fit  ".  They  were  to  inform  the  public  that  their  great  object  was  to  conquer  Long 
Island,  that  the  Dutch  may  no  longer  monopolize  the  whole  trade;  for  this  territory 
was  wrongfully  wrested  from  the  English.  If  the  Dutch  quietly  submit,  they  shall 
bave  equal  rights  with  Britisk  subjects 


1664 


1 

5.  Since  it  was  the  purpose  of  those  colonists  to  possess  liberty  of  conscience; 
therefore  the  commissioners  were  to  be  very  careful  not  to  say  or  do  anything  to 
excite  suspicion  that  they  intended  **  to  make  any  alteration  in  their  Church  Gov- 
ernment or  to  introduce  any  other  form  of  worsbipp  among  them  than  what  they 
have  chosen  ".  The  King  then  refers  to  an  elaborate  letter  of  his  on  this  subject 
of  June  28th,  1662,  of  which  they  had  a  copy,  of  the  contents  of  which  they  should 
"  dextrously  take  notice  and  press  the  execution  and  observation  of  the  same 
according  to  the  charter  ".  But  that  they  "  might  not  give  any  umbrage  "  to  the 
people,  as  if  they  were  enemies  of  their  forms,  they  must  "  frequent  their  churches 
and  be  present  at  their  devotion  ",  though  they  were  also  to  have  a  chaplain  of 
their  own,  "  orthodox  in  his  judgement  and  practice,  who  in  your  own  families 
will  read  the  Book  of  Common  Prayers  and  perform  your  devotions  according  to 
the  form  established  in  the  Church  of  England,  excepting  only  in  wearing  the 
surplesse,  which  having  never  been  seen  in  those  countries,  may  conveniently  be 
foreborne  at  this  time  ". 

6.  The  commissioners  were  to  be  wary  against  any  who  seemed  to  side  with 
them  too  soon  in  reference  to  "  the  establishing  the  Booke  of  Common  Prayer  and 
it  may  be  the  Episcopacy  itself  ".  Such  might  be  invited  to  the  devotions  of  the 
commissioners,  as  led  by  their  chaplain;  but  "  you  shall  let  them  know  that  you 
have  no  order  from  us  —  for  many  of  these  overtures  may  be  made  known  only 
for  discovering  your  intentions  —  to  make  the  least  attempt,  or  to  encourage  altera- 
tion  in   the    way   they   profess    of   religion ",    although   it    would    be   the    greatest 

blessing,  if  all  were  of  "  one  faith  and  one  way  of  worship  with  us  ".     But 

""  you  should  proceed  very  warily  and  not  enter  upon  it,  till  you  have  made  some 
progress  in  your  less  difficult  business;  and  indeed  you  should  rather  advise  those 
who  seem  to  be  serious   and  hearty  in  that  desire  that  they  cause  it  to  be  first 

proposed  and   set  on   foot  in  the   General   Assembly  that   shall   be  called    

iind  promise  them  your  utmost  assistance  there  ".  They  were  not  to  "  appear 
solicitous  to  make  any  change  in  the  matters  of  religion  or  to  make  any  attempt 
to  bring  any  change  to  that  people,  except  both  "  (a  revenue  for  the  Crown  and  a 
Church  Establishment)  "  arise  among  themselves  in  the  General  Assembly,  and 
then  you  shall  give  such  countenance  to  it  as  you  shall  judge  necessary  for  our 
service  ". 

[These  secret  Instructions  show  the  real  policy  of  the  Government  on  religious 
matters  in  New  England;  and  also  in  New  Netherland  as  soon  as  it  might  be 
•convenient.]—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  iii.  57-61. 

Letter  from  Rev.  Hermanus  Blom  to  Director  Stuyvesant, 

.    Requesting  in  the  Name  of  the  Consistory,  that  the  7th 

OF  June  be  Annually  Observed  as  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving 

at  the  Esopus,  in  Commemoration  of  the  Escape  of  so 

Many  Persons  from  the  Indian  Massacre. 

To   the   Noble,    Honorable,    Director   General   and   the   Honorable   Council   of   New 
Netherland. 

Very  Worshipful  Gentlemen.— Your  Honorable  Worships  all  know,  that  last  year 
1663  on  the  7th  of  June  the  great  God  has  allowed  the  savages  heavily  to  visit  our 
neighbor  hamlet  and  this  place,  whereby  the  one  was  totally  ruined  and  reduced 
to  ashes  and  the  other  partially  destroyed,  in  both  places  several  people  were 
killed  smothered  in  their  blood  and  wounded,  as  well  as  a  large  number  of  animals; 
many  of  us  have  even  been  captured  by  the  heathens  and  led  away  as  prisoners 

35 


1664 


546  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

and  all  this  was  done  under  the  cover  of  friendship  in  an  instant  and  with  great 
cruelty,  so  that  it  was  pitiful  and  distressing  to  look  at,  as  we  did  not  know,  how 
it  would  go  with  those  of  us,  who  had  been  spared,  for  Death  had  come  upon  us 
and  into  our  houses  quickly  and  unexpectedly  to  destroy  the  children  in  their 
cradles,  the  young  men  on  the  streets,  the  dead  bodies  of  men  lay  here  and  there 
like  dung  heaps  on  the  field,  and  the  burnt  and  roasted  corpses  like  sheaves  behind 
the  mower.  We  have  been  living  witnesses  thereof  as  well  as  of  the  distress  of 
our  town  and  the  uncertainty  of  our  escape.  The  heathens  fell  then  into  the 
newly  settled  inheritance  of  the  Lord  intending  to  storm  it  at  once  and  destroy  it,, 
which  would  have  been  done,  when  they  rose  so  tyrannically  against  us  in  their 
rage  and  fury.  If  the  Lord  had  not  still  been  with  us,  they  would  have  devoured 
us  all  alive,  so  that  the  waters  of  anxiety  rose  daily  up  to  our  souls,  even  went 
over  all  our  souls,  but  our  souls  have  escaped,  like  a  bird  from  the  snare  of  the 
bird  catcher  and  in  that  anxiety  the  Lord  has  increased  our  pleading  and  lament- 
ing, so  that  we  may  say,  where  is  there  in  New  Netherland  such  sorrow  as  ours, 
with  which  the  Lord  has  visited  us,  for  He  it  is,  who  on  account  of  our  sins  has- 
given  up  Jacob,  the  plunderer  and  Israel  the  robber,  because  we  would  not  walk 
in  his  ways  and  not  listen  to  his  words,  therefore  he  has  emptied  upon  us  the  full- 
ness of  his  wrath  and  the  fury  of  war  and  he  has  set  all  around  us  a  fire,  but  we 
pay  no  attention  to  it  and  he  has  made  us  burn,  but  we  do  not  take  it  to  heart. 

But  from  all  these  needs  and  death,  through  which  we  have  passed,  the  Lord 
alone  has  now  delivered  us,  and  no  man  has  helped,  for  men's  assistance  was  far 

from  us,  though  they  got  the  credit  for  it  and  our  delivery so  that  the  Lord 

revives  the  dead  again    descend  and  he  comes  up  again,   as  it  has  been 

proved,  for  his  mercifulness  knows  no  end;  he  has  said,  mountains  may  move,  hill& 
may  fall  down,  but  my  mercy  shall  not  be  taken  from  you,   yea,  a  mother  may 

desert  her  child  and  forget  it  but  I  shall  never  desert  and  forget  you,  for  the 

is  broken  and  we  have  escaped,  for  as  long  as  the  Lord  pleases. 

So  that  we  cannot  sufficiently  praise  and  thank  the  good  Lord  every  day  of  our 
lives  for  the  great  mercy  and  benevolence,  which  he  has  shown  us  and  for  the 
delivery  from  the  hands  of  these  heathenish  people,  for  which  peace,  honor  and 
thanks  are  due  to  him  only  now  and  in  all  eternity,  amen. 

The  Worshipful  Consistory  of  this  place  requests  therefore  with  due  humility 
and  proper  reverence  of  your  Honorable  Worships,  that  for  the  merciful  delivery,, 
brought  about  by  God's  power,  the  7th  day  of  June  in  every  year,  on  whatever 
day  it  may  fall,  shall  be  kept  as  an  anniversary  and  thanksgiving  day  in  our  place 
and  that  it  be  forbidden  to  do  any  work  on  that  day,  so  that  we,  who  have  been 
spared  and  are  still  alive,  may  praise  and  thank  his  divine  Majesty  for  it.  We  are 
sure,  that  your  Honorable  Worships  will  grant  us  this  request,  whereupon  we  rely 
and  expect  a  pertinent  answer  at  that  time,  to  notify  the  community  of  it.  Mean- 
while we  commend  your  Honorable  Worships  to  God's  gracious  protection  and 
shall  not  cease  to  pray  God  for  your  Honors'  persons  and  administration.  We 
wish  your  Honorable  Worships  all  blessings,  good  luck,  welfare  and  peace  for  soul 
and  body,  amen. 

Very  Worshipful,  Wise,  Pious  and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen, 

Your  Honors'  Very  obedient  subjects  and  servants. 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Consistory. 

Hermanns  Blom. 

The  6th  of  May  1664,  at  Wiltwyck. 

To  the  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Discreet,  their  Honors,  the  Director  General  and 
Council  of  New  Netherland  at  Fort  Amsterdam  on  the  Manhatans. —  Col.  Docs.  N^ 
Y.  xiil.  373,  374. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1664,  May  12th. 

In  accordance  mth  the  preceding  resolution  Mr.  Wilmerdonck 
was  conferred  with,  and  it  was  ascertained  that  in  the  letters  from 


OF  THE  State  of  Kew  York.  547 

the  government  in  ISTew  ^N'etlierland,  no  mention  is  made  concern- 
ing the  scandalous  adultery  committed  at  Fort  Orange. 

Resolved,  that  when  we  write  to  [N'ew  ISTetherland,  we  request 
the  churches  there,  to  maintain  a  mutual  friendly  correspondence. 
xxi.  14.  5. 

Peoclamation-  foe  a  Day  of  Thanksgiving  oit  Account  of 
THE  Peace  with  the  Esopus  and  Cieculae  Communicating 
IT  TO  the  Magistrates  Theoughout  the  Countey. 

As  It  has  pleased  the  only  good  God  In  his  especial  mercy  to  deliver  all  the 
Christian  prisoners  out  of  the  barbarian's  hands  against  all  human  expectation  and 
to  give  and  grant  us  with  their  release  an  honest  and  advantageous  peace  with  the 
Esopus  savages,  it  is  not  only  becoming,  but  also  very  necessary,  that  the  only  good 
God  be  thanked  and  praised  for  it  not  only  by  the  released  Christians,  but  also  by 
all  and  everybody  who  have  so  long  offered  to  God  their  prayers  for  the  prisoners. 
That  this  may  be  done  so  much  better  and  with  so  much  more  unity,  the  Christian 
community  is  hereby  informed,  that  by  order  of  our  high  superiors  we  shall  close 
the  usual  monthly  days  of  prayer  with  a  general  day  of  thanksgiving  to  be  held  on 
the  first  Wednesday  of  June,  that  is  the  fourth  day  of  that  month,  when  a  sermon 
will  be  preached  here  in  the  fore  and  afternoon.  Every  one  prepare  his  heart  to  be 
truly  and  sincerely  grateful. 

Here  follows  the  letter  sent  to  communicate  the  order  for  a  day  of  thanksgiving: 

Honorable,  Dear,  Faithful  Friends: 

This  serves  only  as  cover  for  the  enclosed  proclamation  for  a  general  day  of. 
thanksgiving  as  well  on  account  of  the  desired  j)eace  as  specially  for  God's  signal 
mercy,  which  he  has  shown  us  during  the  war  with  the  Esopus  savages  in  deliver- 
ing all  the  captive  Christians  out  of  the  hands  of  the  barbarians  contrary  to  all 
human  hope  and  expectation.  After  perusing  the  said  notification  you  will  deliver 
the  same  to  the  Reverend  Ministers  of  God's  Word,  that  It  may  by  them  be  com- 
municated from  the  altar  to  the  community.  Whereupon  relying  we  commend  you 
to  God's  gracious  protection  and  remain  with  cordial  greetings. 
Your  affectionate  friends, 

The  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. 

Actum,  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  31  of  May  Anno  1664. —  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.  xili.  383,  384. 

Classis  of  Amsteedam. 

Correspondence  from  America.  ; 

1664,  June  9th. 

Rev.  Henry  Selyns  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Very  Reverend,  Pious  and  Learned  Brethren  in  Christ  :— 

With  Christian  salutations  of  grace  and  peace,  this  is  to  inform 
you,  that  with  proper  submission,  we  take  the  liberty  of  reporting 
to  the  Very  Rev.  Classis  the  condition  and  welfare  of  the  Churcli 


1664 


1664 


548  Ecclesiastical  Records 

of  Jesus  Clirist,  to  whick  your  Reverences  called  me,  as  well  as 
my  request  and  friendly  prayer  for  an  honorable  dismission. 

As  for  me,  your  Rev.  Assembly  sent  me  to  the  congregation 
at  Breuckelen  to  preach  the  Gospel  there,  and  administer  the 
Sacraments.  This  we  have  done  to  the  best  of  our  ability;  and 
according  to  the  size  of  the  place  mth  a  considerable  increase  of 
members.  There  were  only  a  few  members  there  on  my  arrival; 
but  these  have  with  God's  help  and  grace,  increased  four  fold. 

Trusting,  that  it  would  not  displease  your  Reverences,  and 
would  also  be  very  profitable  to  the  Church  of  Christ,  we  found 
it  easy  to  do  what  might  seem  troublesome;  for  we  have  also 
taken  charge  of  the  congregation  at  the  General's  Bouwery  in  the 
evening,  as  we  have  told  you  before.  An  exception  to  this  ar- 
rangement is  made  in  regard  to  the  administration  of  the  Lord's 
Supper.  As  it  is  not  customary  with  your  Reverences  to  admin- 
ister it  in  the  evening,  we  thought,  after  conference  vdih  our 
Reverend  Brethren  of  the  I^ew  Amsterdam  congregation,  and 
mature  deliberation,  that  it  would  be  more  edifying  to  preach  at 
the  Bouwery,  on  such  occasions,  in  the  morning,  and  then  have 
the  communion;  after  the  Christian  custom  of  our  Fatherland. 

As  to  baptisms,  the  negroes  occasionally  request,  that  we  should 
baptize  their  children,  but  we  have  refused  to  do  so,  partly  on 
account  of  their  lack  of  knowledge  and  of  faith,  and  partly  be- 
cause of  the  worldly  and  perverse  aims  on  the  part  of  said  negroes. 
They  wanted  nothing  else  than  to  deliver  their  children  from 
bodily  slavery,  without  striving  for  piety  and  christian  virtues. 
Nevertheless  when  it  was  seemly  to  do  so,  we  have,  to  the  best  of 
our  ability,  taken  much  trouble  in  private  and  public  catechizing. 
This  has  borne  but  little  fruit  among  the  elder  people  who  have 
no  faculty  of  comprehension;  but  there  is  some  hope  for  the  youth 
who  have  improved  reasonably  well.     Xot  to  administer  baptism 
among  them  for  the  reasons  given,  is  also  the  custom  among  our 
colleagues.     (See  :Murphy's  Anthology,  p.  88,  89.)     But  the  most 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  549 

1664 

important  thing  is,  that  the  Father  of  Grace  and  God  of  Peace 
has  blessed  our  tAvo  congregations  with  quietness  and  harmony, 
out  of  the  treasury  of  his  graciousness ;  so  that  we  have  had  no 
reason,  to  complain  to  the  Kev.  Classis,  which  takes  such  things, 
however,  in  good  partj  or  to  trouble  you,  as  we  might  have  antici- 
pated. 

Meanwhile,  the  stipulated  number  of  years,  pledged  to  the  West 
India  Company,  is  diminishing;  although  the  obligation  we  owe 
to  them  who  recommended  us  (viz.,  the  Classis,)  naturally  con- 
tinues. Also,  on  account  of  their  old  age,  we  would  love  to  see 
again  our  parents,  and  therefore  we  desire  to  return  home.  On 
revohdng  the  matter  in  my  mind,  and  not  to  be  lacking  in  filial 
duty,  I  felt  it  to  be  proper  to  refer  the  subject  to  God  and  my 
greatly  beloved  parents  who  call  for  me,  whether  I  should  remain 
or  return  home  at  the  expiration  of  my  contract. 

As  we  understand,  they  are,  next  to  myself,  most  anxious  for 
my  return,  and  have  received  my  discharge  from  the  Hon.  Di- 
rectors, and  have  notified  the  Deputies  ad  Causas  Indicas  thereof, 
which  has  pleased  us.  We  trust,  that  we  shall  receive  also  from 
your  Reverences  a  favorable  reply,  relying  upon  your  usual  kind- 
ness. Yet  it  is  far  from  us,  to  seem  to  pass  by  your  Reverences, 
and  give  the  least  cause  for  dissatisfaction.  I  have  endeavored 
to  deserve  the  favor  of  the  Rev.  Classis  by  the  most  arduous  ser- 
vices for  the  welfare  of  Christ's  church,  and  am  always  ready  to 
serve  your  Reverences. 

It  is  my  purpose  when  I  return  home,  when  my  stipulated  time 
is  fulfilled,  to  give  a  verbal  account  of  my  ministry  here,  and  the 
state  of  the  church,  that  you  may  be  assured  that  any  omissions 
in  duty  have  been  through  ignorance. 

Doniine  Samuel  Megapolensis  has  safely  arrived,  but  Domine 
Warnerus  Hadson,  whom  you  had  sent  as  preacher  to  the  South 
River,  died  on  the  passage  over.  It  is  very  necessary  to  supply 
his  place,  partly  on  account  of  the  children  who  have  not  been 


1664 


650  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

baptized  since  the  death  of  Domine  Wely,  (Welius),  and  partly 
on  account  of  the  abominable  sentiments  of  various  persons  there, 
who  speak  very  disrespectfully  of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

In  addition  there  is  among  the  Swedes  a  certain  Lutheran 
preacher,  (Lokenius)  who  does  not  lead  a  christian  life.  There 
is  also  another  person,  who  has  exchanged  the  Lutheran  pulpit 
for  a  schoolraaster's  place.  This  undoubtedly  has  done  great 
damage  among  the  sheep,  who  have  so  long  wandered  about  with- 
out a  shepherd  except  the  forementioned  pastor,  who  leads  such 
an  unchristian  life.  God  grant,  that  no  damage  be  done  to 
Christ's  church,  and  that  your  Reverences  may  provide  a  blessed 
instrument  for  good. 

In  view  of  the  deplorable  condition  of  E'ew  Motherland,  for  the 
savages  have  killed,  wounded  and  captured  some  of  our  people, 
and  have  burnt  several  houses  at  the  Esopus;  and  the  English, 
with  flying  banners,  have  declared  our  village  and  the  whole  of 
Long  Island  to  belong  to  the  King :  therefore  the  first  Wednesday 
of  each  month  since  last  July  has  been  observed  as  a  day  of  fast- 
ing and  prayer,  in  order  to  ask  God  for  his  fatherly  compassion 
and  pity.  The  good  God,  praise  be  to  him,  has  brought  about 
everything  for  the  best,  by  the  arrival  of  the  last  ships.  The  Eng- 
lish are  quiet,  the  savages  peaceful;  our  lamentations  have  been 
turned  into  songs  of  praise,  and  the  monthly  day  of  fasting  into 
a  day  of  thanksgiving.  Thus  we  spent  last  Wednesday,  the  last  of 
the  days  of  prayer.  Blessed  be  God  who  causes  wars  to  cease  to 
the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  breaks  the  bow  and  spear  asunder. 
Herewith,  Very  Reverend,  Pious  and  Learned  Brethren  in  Christ, 
be  commended  to  God  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints  and  the 
edification  of  the  body  of  Christ.    Yale. 

Your  Reverences  humble  servant  in 
Breuckelen,  in  Christ  Jesus, 

!N*ew  I^etherland,  Henricus  Selvns. 

June  9,  1664.  ,      .  — Extracts  from  this  letter  in 

Col.  Docs.  X.  L.  xiii.  384. 


OF  THE  State  of  N^ew  York.  551 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1664,  June  23r(i. 

A  letter  was  read  from  John  Polhemus,  pastor  at  Midwout,  in 
ISTew  IN'etherland,  dated  April  22,  1664.  Therein  his  Kev.  com- 
plains, as  in  his  preceding  letter  of  Sept.  21,  1663,  that  no  corre- 
spondence is  maintained  among  the  churches;  that  ecclesiastical 
discipline  is  not  practiced,  by  the  punishment  of  the  offenders ;  and 
that  no  means  are  instituted  for  the  promotion  of  religion  among 
the  savages  and  the  English,  although  authority  therefor  has  been 
received,    xxi.  15. —  Extract  in  Col.  Docs.  E".  Y.  xiii.  384. 

Petition  of  the  Reverend  Henry  Selyns  for  His  Dismissal 
FROM  THE  Churches  at  Brooklyn  and  the  Bouwery. 

To  the  Noble,  Very  Worshipful  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland. 

Gentlemen:  Your  Honors'  petitioner  and  subject  respectfully  submits,  that  with 
the  special  help  and  blessing  of  God  he  has  served  his  churches  in  the  settlement 
near  the  Director  General's  Bouwery  and  at  Breuclieien  and  that  he  has  now  asked 
for  his  dismissal  by  the  Company,  the  term  of  years,  for  which  he  had  engaged 
himself,  being  about  to  expire.  The  dismissal  was  granted  in  consideration  of  the 
expiration  of  his  time  and  of  the  great  age  of  your  petitioner's  father,  who  obtained 
the  discharge  with  the  assistance  of  the  Reverend  Domine  Jacobus  Triglandlus, 
Pastor  at  Amsterdam,  and  wrote  concerning  it  to  the  General. 

He  requests,  that  your  Honors  will  consent  to  his  dismissal  and  considering  the 
ships  are  now  ready  to  sail,  allow  him  to  depart  in  the  "  Bever  ",  in  which  ha 
came.  He  has  no  doubt,  that  when  Domine  Samuel  Megapolensis,  Pastor  and 
Medicinae  Doctor  arrives,  your  Honors  will  have  a  good  opportunity  to  fill  your 
petitioner's  place,  and  that  your  Honors  will  give  the  petitioner  a  favorable  reply. 

Your  Honors'  humble  servant, 
Amsterdam  In  New  Netherland  Henderlckus  Selyns. 

the  17th  of  July,  1664. 

After  a  vote  had  been  taken.  It  was  answered:  Fiat  qd.  petitur.  Done  at  Fort 
Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland,  the  17th  of  July  1664. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xlv. 
550,  551. 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  the  Director-General  and  Coun- 
cil OF  ^Ew  ^Netherland  to  the  Directors  of  the  West 
India  Company,  Chamber  at  Amsterdam,  Dated  the  4th  of 
August,  1664;  on  File  in  the  West  India  Company's  Of- 
fice, Cahier,  Ko.  12. 

1664,  Aug.  4. 

In  regard  to  your  Honors'  despatch  and  your  impressions  created  by  the  advices 
which  you  have  received  from  Old  England:  That  England's  Majesty  being  dis- 
posed to  reduce  all  his  Kingdoms  under  one  form  of  Government  in  Church  and 
State,  and  that  some  Commissioners  (and,  as  It  leaked  out  here,  two  and  three 
Wgates,  sufficiently  provided  with  ammunition  and  military)  were  ready  in  England 


1664 


1664 


552  Ecclesiastical  Records 

to  proceed  to  New  England  and  to  install  bishops  there,  the  same  as  in  Old  England; 
and  your  Honors'  further  opinion  and  advice,  for  our  interest  and  encouragement, 
nnd  that  of  your  inhabitants,  we  shall  not  at  present  discuss,  much  less  contradict; 
but  rather  wish  and  hope,  if  it  promote  the  advantage  of  God's  Church  as  it  ap- 
parently may  ours,  that  it  may  turn  out  according  to  your  Honors'  anticipation 
and  meaning.  Meanwhile  we  cannot  omit  communicating  to  your  Honors,  and 
respectfully  submitting  what  we  have,  on  the  contrary,  been  informed,  and  are  still 
daily  warned  of,  both  verbally  and  in  writing,  on  this  point;  partly  to  be  deduced 
from  the  accompanying  Declaration,  No.  14,  and  more  fully  to  be  perceived  by 
your  Honors  from  the  verbal  information  of  the  skippers  and  passengers  returning 
home,  to  wit,  that  the  design  of  those  Commissioners,  frigates  and  warlike  force  i» 
directed  rather  against  Long  Island  and  these  your  Honors'  possessions,  than  to  the 
imagined  reform  of  New  England.  The  probability  is  presumed  and  inferred,  from 
various  circumstances;  among  others  from  the  patent  granted  last  year  to  Rhode 
Island,  whereby  England's  Majesty  grants  freedom  of  conscience,  in  Spiritual  mat- 
ters, to  every  one;  yea,  even  to  the  Quakers  and  Anna-Baptists,  who  are  the  most 
numerous  and  principal  there.  Secondly,  we  have  heretofore  communicated  to  your 
Honors  what  is  now  confirmed  do  novo,  that  Long  Island  and  all  the  adjacent 
islands,  Rhode  Island  excepted,  are  conveyed  by  patent  to  the  Duke  of  York,  and, 
therefore,  are  the  frigates  provided  with  so  many  people  and  so  much  ammunition. 
And  although  the  issue  and  result  are  in  the  hands  of  time,  these  and  similar  re- 
ports not  only  continuing  but  being  so  repeatedly  confirmed  by  every  letter  and 
passenger  from  England,  make  us  very  circumspect,  anxious  and  guarded  to  keep 
the  intrusted  military  together  as  much  as  possible;  to  increase  the  height  of  our 
fort,  and  to  furnish  it  all  around  with  gabions,  and  to  provide  for  all  possible 
resistance,  respecting  which  the  slightest  anxiety  does  not  exist. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
ii.  595. 

[See  another  translation,  following.] 

Extract  from  a  Letter  of  Stuyvesant  to  the  Directors. 
His  Fears  of  English  Eleet.  Erench  Refugees. 

(August  4th,  1664.) 


We  shall  not  discuss  now,  much  less  say  anything  against  the  following  parts  of 
your  letter  and  the  impressions,  which  you  have  received  from  your  advices  from 
Old  England;  that  the  King  would  like  to  bring  all  his  dominions  under  one  form 
of  government  in  political,  as  well  as  in  ecclesiastical  matters;  that  therefore  some 
Commissioners  (with  two  or  three  well  armed  and  well  manned  frigates  with 
soldiers  aboard,  they  say  here,)  are  ready  in  England,  to  proceed  to  New  England 
and  introduce  there  Bishops,  as  in  Old  England.  Nor  shall  we  speak  of  what  you 
say  and  advise  for  our  and  the  inhabitants  welfare  and  encouragement;  but  we 
wish  and  hope  that  it  will  come  to  pass,  as  you  suppose,  if  it  will  be  for  the  best 
of  God's  Church  and  ourselves.  Meanwhile  we  cannot  omit  to  communicate  and 
respectfully  submit  to  you  the  contradicting  verbal  and  written  reports  about  this 
matter,  by  which  we  are  daily  warned  and  informed,  for  which  we  refer  to 
enclosure  No.  14  and  to  the  verbal  relations  of  passengers  and  skippers,  coming 
from  here,  to  wit:  that  the  real  design  of  these  Commissioners  with  their  frigates 
and  soldiers  is  rather  upon  Long  Island  and  your  other  possessions  here,  than  an 
imaginary  relief  of  New  England.  Several  circumstances  make  us  believe,  that  the 
former  is  the  more  probable,  among  others  the  patent  granted  to  Rhode  Island  last 
year,  in  which  the  King  gives  liberty  of  conscience  and  religious  service  to  every- 
body, even  to  Quakers  and  Anabaptists,  who  are  there  the  most  numerous  and 
influential. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  553 

We  received  among  other  papers  and  enclosures  by  the  last  ships  also  an  extract 
from  your  resolutions,  dated  January  24th  and  a  letter  to  the  Director  General  re- 
ferring to  it,  in  which  you  seriously  recommend  us  to  treat  with  kindness  the 
French  families,  which  were  to  arrive  here  from  Rochelle  and  from  St.  Martin,  to 
4illot  to  them  good  parcels  of  land  and  assist  them  in  every  way.  Your  faithful 
servants  shall  not  fail  to  obey  your  directions:  we  shall  promote  this  work,  so 
highly  recommended  by  you,  by  all  possible  means  and  above  all  others,  as  far  as 
our  responsibility  to  you  permits;  you  and  the  coming  emigrants  may  be  sure  of  it. 
Seven  or  eight  persons  of  that  nationality  came  over  for  that  purpose  by  the  last 
«hip,  the  "  Eendracht  ",  to  view  the  land.  As  far  as  the  shortness  of  their  stay 
here  allowed,  they  have  done  It  and  being  most  pleased  with  Staten  Island  some  of 
them,  among  them  one  Jean  Collyn,  addressed  themselves  to  us  and  he  said,  for  the 
better  promotion  and  speedier  execution  of  the  plan  they  had  resolved  that  he 
should  return  in  person  by  one  of  the  ships  and  report  to  the  others:  He  therefore 
requested  our  recommendations  to  you,  that  you  would  favor  them  with  as  favorable 
conditions  and  as  much  assistance,  as  possible  and  fair;  especially  that  you  would 
please  to  allow  your  answer  to  a  petition,  made  to  you  on  the  14th  of  April  1661, 
take  effect,  so  that  they  could  be  provided  with  a  good  French  preacher,  which 
would  help  to  promote  the  undertaking.  They  Informed  us,  that  the  preacher  at  St. 
Martin  was  willing  and  could  easily  be  persuaded  to  come  here.  If  your  Honors  or 
perhaps  we  ourselves  were  to  encourage  him  by  a  letter.  In  their  name  we  request 
you  to  write  such  a  letter  and  to  save  you  and  us  the  trouble  of  repetition  we  have 
given  them  a  copy  of  this  recommendation,  not  doubting,  that  for  the  best  of  the 
country  you  will  favor  them  with  whatever  your  wisdom  deems  advisable. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv,  551,  553,  554,  555. 

Acts  of  the  Chassis  of  Amsterdam. 
Letters  from  Eev.  Henriciis  Selyns  of  New  Netlierland. 

1664,  Aug.  4tli. 

A  certain  letter  was  read  from  Henricus  Sullyns,  written  in 
New  Netherland  June  9tli,  of  this  year  1664,  to  this  Rev.  As- 
sembly. It  made  known  the  good  condition  and  growth  of  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  at  Breuckelen  and  the  neighboring  places. 
It  also  apologized  for  making  request  for  his  dismission,  etc.  It 
mentioned  further  the  creeping  in  of  the  Lutherans  on  the  South 
Eiver,  although  with  little  success,  (fruit.)  on  account  of  the  un- 
edifying  conduct  of  their  ministers;  as  also  of  the  death  of  Eev. 
Warnerus  Hassingh  (Hadson),  who  died  on  the  voyage,  and  in 
whose  place  another  should  be  sent  at  the  earliest  opportunity, 
so  that  the  church  should  suffer  no  injury,  etc.  This  letter  was 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Deputies  ad  causas  Maritimas,  to  make 
an  abstract  of  the  main  points  of  the  same,  and  to  exhibit  it  to  the 
Directors,  all  of  which  is  to  be  done  as  soon  as  possible,  vi.  348; 
xix.  113.  I 


1664 


1664 


554  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Letters  from  Rev.  Pollieniius. 

1664,  Aug.  4th. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Rev.  Polhemius,  written  April  21sty 
1664,  to  this  Assembly.  The  same  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
Deputies  ad  causas  Maritimas,  in  order,  if  necessary,  to  make 
an  abstract  thereof.    \i.  349;  xix.  113. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1664,  Aug.  5/14. 
Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

The  Peace  of  Christ.  ; 

Reverend,  Learned  and  Beloved  Brethren  in  Christ  Jesus : — 

I  find  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Classis,  which  I  have  not  yet 
answered;  and  a  good  opportunity  now  offering  itself  by  the  de- 
parture  of  our  colleague,  Domine  Henricus  Selyns,  I  cannot  omit 
to  ^vrite  a  letter  to  your  Reverences.  We  could  have  wished,  that 
Domine  Selyns  had  longer  continued  with  us,  both  on  account  of 
his  diligence  and  success  in  preaching  and  catechizing,  and  of 
his  humble  and  edifying  life.  By  this  he  has  attracted  a  great 
many  people,  and  even  some  of  the  negroes,  so  that  many  are 
sorry  for  his  departure.  But  considering  the  fact  that  he  owes 
filial  obedience  to  his  aged  parents,  it  is  God's  will  that  he  should 
leave  us.  We  must  be  resigned,  therefore,  w^hile  we  commit  him 
to  God  and  the  word  of  his  gTace. 

Concerning  the  places  in  which  he  has  preached,  especially  the 
village  called  Breuckelen,  and  the  Bouwerie,  nothing  has  been 
decided  yet;  but  I  think,  that  the  son  of  Domine  (John)  Mega- 
polensis  (Samuel)  who  has  recently  come  over,  will  take  charge 
of  them,  as  he  has  not  been  sent  by  the  Directors  to  any  particu- 
lar place. 

The  French  on  Staten  Island  would  also  like  to  have  a  preacher^ 
but    as    they  number    only  a  few    families,  are    very  poor,  and 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  555 

1664 

cannot  contribute  mnch  to  a  preacher's  salary;  and  as  our  sup- 
port here  is  slow  and  small,  there  is  not  much  hope,  that  they 
will  receive  the  light.  In  the  meantime,  that  they  may  not  be 
wholly  destitute.  Director  Stuyvesant  has,  at  their  request,  allowed 
me  to  go  over  there  every  two  months,  to  preach  and  administer 
the  Lord's  Supper.  This  I  have  now  done  for  about  a  year.  In 
the  ^\inter  this  is  very  difficult,  for  it  is  a  long  stretch  of  water, 
and  it  is  sometimes  windy,  with  a  heavy  sea.  We  have,  accord- 
ing to  the  decision  of  the  Classis,  admitted  the  Mennonist,  who  is 
quite  unknown  to  us,  to  the  communion,  without  rebaptism;  but 
last  week  he  and  his  wife  removed  to  Curacoa  in  the  West  Indies, 
to  live  there.  The  preacher,  sent  to  'New  Amstel  on  the  South 
River,  died  on  the  way,  as  we  are  told.  Ziperius  left  for  Virginia 
long  ago.  He  behaved  most  shamefully  here,  drinking,  cheating 
and  forging  other  people's  writings,  so  that  he  was  forbidden  not 
only  to  preach,  but  even  to  keep  school.  Closing  herewith  I  com- 
mend the  Eev.  Brethren  to  God's  protection  and  blessing  in  their 
work.    This  is  the  prayer  of 

Your  Reverences  dutiful  friend  in  Christ, 
>Tew  Amsterdam,  Samuel  Drisius. 

August  5,  Anno  1664. 

— ^  Extract,  in  Col.  Docs.  ^N".  Y.  xiii.  391. 

[Michael  Zyperus  and  wife  came  from  Curacoa  in  Sept.  1659, 
hoping  to  receive  a  call  in  ISTew  JSTetherland.  He  had  good  testi- 
monials.   He  was  succeeded  in  Curacoa  by  Adrian  Beaumont.] 

Remonstrance  of  the  People  of  ]^ew  ^etheriand  to  the 

Directoe-Generai.  and  Council. 

1664,  Sept.  5. 

Right  Honorable.  We,  your  sorrowful  commonalty  and  subjects,  beg  to  represent, 
with  all  humility,  that  having,  beforehand,  for  our  own  vindication  before  God  and 
man,  in  these  sad  and  diflScult  circumstances,  maturely  considered  and  deliberately 
weighed  what  is  necessary  to  be  done  and  concluded  at  this  critical  and  urgent  con- 
juncture, we  cannot  conscientiously  foresee  that  anything  else  is  to  be  expected  for 
this  fort  and  city  of  Manhattans  (as  your  Honors  must  be  convinced),  than  misery, 
sorrow,  conflagration,  the  dishonor  of  women,  murder  of  children  in  their  cradles, 
and,  in  a  word,  the  absolute  ruin  and  destruction  of  about  fifteen  hundred  innocent 


55B 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1664 


souls,  only  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  whom  are  capable  of  bearing  arms,  unless  you 
be  pleased  to  adjust  matters  according  to  the  conjuncture  of  the  time. 

Your  Honors  are,  in  the  first  place,  better  aware  than  we,  that  four  of  the  English 
King's  frigates  are  now  lying  in  the  road  at  Nyack,  with  six  hundred  soldiers,  not 
only  ordered  hither  by  his  Majesty,  but  bearing  also  commissions  to  all  the  Gover- 
nors of  New  England  (a  populous  and  thickly  Inhabited  country),  to  impress  troops, 
in  addition  to  the  forces  already  on  board,  for  the  purpose  of  reducing  New  Nether- 
land  to  his  Majesty's  obedience.  In  compliance  with  that  commission,  the  English 
General  hath  sent  divers  letters  to  your  Honors,  summoning  this  city  and  Fort 
Manhattans,  promising,  in  case  we  voluntarily  submit,  that  we  shall  not  experience 
the  least  loss  or  damage,  but,  on  the  contrary,  should  we  prove  obstinate  and  head- 
strong, we  must  expect  the  aforesaid  miseries  and  misfortunes. 

These  threats  would  not  have  been  at  all  regarded,  could  your  Honors  or  we. 
your  petitioners,  expect  the  smallest  aid  or  succor.  But  (God  help  us!)  whether  we 
turn  us  for  assistance  to  the  north  or  to  the  south,  to  the  east  or  to  the  west,  'tis 
all  in  vain!  On  all  sides  are  we  encompassed  and  hemmed  in  by  our  enemies.  If, 
on  the  other  hand,  we  examine  our  internal  strength,  alas!  it  is  so  feeble  and  im- 
potent that,  unless  we  ascribe  the  circumstances  to  the  mercy  of  God,  we  cannot 
suflaciently  express  our  astonishment  that  the  foe  should  have  granted  us  so  long  a 
reprieve,  inasmuch  as  he  could  have  delivered  us  a  prey  and  plunder  to  the  soldiery 
after  one  summons. 

We  shall  now  examine  your  Honors'  fortress.  You  know,  in  your  own  consciences, 
that  it  is  incapable  of  making  head  three  days  against  so  powerful  an  enemy.' 
Granting,  even  that  it  could  hold  out  and  contend  against  its  assailants  one,  two, 
three,  four,  five  or  six  months  (which  to  our  sorrow,  it  cannot,)  it  is  still  undeni- 
able that  it  cannot  save  the  smallest  portion  of  our  entire  city,  our  property  and 
(what  is  dearer  to  us),  our  wives  and  children,  from  total  ruin,  for,  after  consider- 
able bloodshed,  even  the  fort  itself  could  not  be  preserved.  Wherefore,  to  prevent 
and  arrest  all  the  aforesaid  misfortunes,  we  humbly,  and  in  bitterness  of  heart, 
implore  your  Honors  not  to  reject  the  conditions  of  so  generous  a  foe,  but  to  be 
pleased  to  meet  him  in  the  speediest,  best  and  most  reputable  manner.  Otherwise 
(which  God  forbid),  are  we  obliged,  before  God  and  the  world,  to  protest  against 
and  call  down  on  your  Honors  the  vengeance  of  Heaven  for  all  the  innocent  blood 
which  shall  be  shed  in  consequence  of  your  Honors'  obstinacy,  inasmuch  as  the 
Commissioners  have  to-day  informed  us,  that  the  aforesaid  English  General  has 
stated  and  threatened  that  he  shall  not  wait  longer  than  this  day. 

We  trust  your  Honors  will  not  question  that  to  God,  who  seeks  not  the  death  of 
a  sinner  belongs  obedience,  rather  than  to  man.  We  feel  certain,  therefore,  that 
your  Honors  will  exhibit  yourselves,  in  this  pressing  exigency  and  sorrowful  season, 
as  men  and  Christians,  and  conclude,  with  God's  help,  an  honorable  and  reasonable 
capitulation  which,  may  the  Lord  our  God,  in  His  great  mercy,  be  pleased  to  grant 
us.     Amen.  i 


Hendrick  Kip 
Balthazar  Stuyvesant 
Abram  Wilmerdoncx 
Martin  Kregier,  Jr. 
Timotheus  Gabrie 
Stephanus  van  Cortlant 
Cornelius  Pluviers 
Hendrick  Bosch 
Hand.  Janss.  van  der  Vin 
Jeronimus  Ebbingh 
Isaack  de  Foreest 
Arent  Janss.  Moesman 
Symon  Janss.  Romeyn 
Willem  Raasenburgh 
Tomes  Davidts 


Jan  Janss.  Preste,  his  mark 

Johannes  de  Peyster 

OloflE  Stevens:  van  Cortlant 

Lodewyck  Pos 

Govert  Loockermans 

Conraet  ten  Eyck 

Cornells  Clopper 

Anthony  de  Mill 

Hendrick  van  de  Water 

Gerrit  Jansz 

Jan  Hendrickss 

Hendrick  Hendrickss 

Dionys  Isaacqs 

Jan  Brouwer 

Arent  Isaacqs  t 


OF  THE  State  of  ^NTew  York. 


557 


1664 


Reynout  Reynoutss,  his  mark 

Balthasaer  de  Haert 

Evert  Duyckingh 

Boele  Roeloflfs  ' 

N.  Varleth 

Johannes  van  Brugh      '•■», 

r.  L.  van  de  Grift 

Cornells  Steenwyck 

Jacob  Backer 

Pleter  Tonneman 

Isaack  Grevenraat 

Nicolas  Demeyer 

Allai'd  Antoni 

Jacob  Kip 

Cousseau 

Hendrick  Obe 

Tomas  Hal 

Jochini  Beeckman,  his  mark 

Jurian  Blanck 

Luycas  Dircks 

Cornells  Janss 

Tousein  Bryel,  his  mark 

Jan  Cornells  van  Hooren 

Jacob  Leyseler 

Claes  Janss:  Backer  i 

Guilliam  D'Honeur 

Isaacq  Coustrier 

Isaacq  Kip 

Frederick  Geysbertse 

Egbert  Meynderts 

Barent  Kours 

Taul  Richard 


Jacob  Teunlsse 
'  Allard  Koninck 

Andries  Rees 

Jan  Vinge 
'  Pieter  Stoutenburgh 

Hendrick  van  Dyck 

Nicolas  De  la  Plaine 

Cornelis  Gerloffs 

Warnaer  Wessels 

Hermen  Wessels 

Alexander  Hulter 

Tomas  Lamberts 
»  '  Frerick  Arents 

Abram  Klock 
i  Isaacq  Bedloo 

:■%"'..        Pieter  Winster 

Jan  Gerrits  van  Buytenhuyse 

Jonas  Bartels 

Meyndert  Barents,  his  mark. 
/  '  Jan  Dircks  Meyer 

Daniel  Verveele 

Jacob  Leunens 
'         Johannes  Nevius 

Jacob  van  Kouwenhoven 

Hans  Kierstede 
'  Jacob  Hugens 

Ambrosous  de  Weerhem,  his  mark 

Lambert  Huyberts  Mol 
'   '  Abram  Verplanck 

Jan  Jans  van  Sint  Obijn,  his  mark 

Abel  HardeHbroeck 


Sept.  5,  1661.— Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  248,  249,  250.     See  also  O'Callaghan  ii.  527-9. 

Articles  of  Capitulation  on  the  Reduction  of  IsTew  Nether- 

LAND. 

These  Articles  following  were  consented  to  by  the  persons  hereunder  subscribed  at 
the  Governor's  Bowry  August  27th,  Old  Style,  1664. 


We  consent  that  the  States-General  or  West  India  Company  shall  freely  enjoy  al! 
farms  and  houses  (except  such  as  are  in  the  forts),  and  that  within  six  months  they 
shall  have  free  liberty  to  transport  all  such  arms  and  ammunition  as  now  do  belong 
to  them,  or  else  they  shall  be  paid  for  them. 

2. 

All  public  houses  shall  continue  for  the  uses  which  they  are  now  for.  [This 
included  the  Church  in  the  Fort.] 

3. 

All  people  shall  still  continue  free  denizens  and  enjoy  their  lands,  houses,  goods, 
shipps,  wheresoever  they  are  within  this  country,  and  dispose  of  them  as  they 
please. 

4. 

If  any  inhabitant  have  a  mind  to  remove  himself  he  shall  have  a  year  and  sixt 
weeks  from  this  day  to  remove  himself,  wife,  children,  servants,  goods,  and  to  dis- 
pose of  his  lands  here. 


1664 


558  Ecclesiastical  Records 

5. 

If  any  officer  of  State,  have  a  mind  to  go  for  England,  they  shall  be  transported, 
freight  free,  in  his  Majesty's  frigates,  when  these  frigates  shall  return  thither. 

6. 

It  is  consented  to,  that  any  people  may  freely  come  from  the  Netherlands  and 
plant  in  this  country,  and  that  Dutch  vessels  may  freely  come  hitter,  and  any  of 
the  Dutch  may  freely  return  home,  or  send  any  sort  of  merchandise  home  in  vessels 

of  their  own  country. 

7. 
All  ships  from  the  Netherlands,  or  any  other  place,  and  goods  therein,  shall  be 

received  here  and  sent  hence  after  the  manner  which  formerly  they  were  before  our 

coming  hither  for  six  months  next  ensuing. 

8. 

The  Dutch  here  shall  enjoy  the  liberty  of  their  consciences  in  Divine  "Worship  and 

church  discipline. 

9. 

No  Dutchman  here,  or  Dutch  ship  here,  shall,  upon  any  occasion,  be  prest  to  serve 

In  war,  against  any  nation  whatever. 

10. 

That  the  townsmen  of  the  Manhatoes  shall  not  have  any  soldier  quartered  upon 

them  without  being  satisfied  and  paid  for  them  by  their  officers,  and  that  at  this 

present,  if  the  fort  be  not  capable  of  lodging  all  the  soldiers,  then  the  Burgomaster, 

by  his  officers,  shall  appoint  some  houses  capable  to  receive  them. 

11. 
The  Dutch  here  shall  enjoy  their  own  customs  concerning  their  inheritances. 

12. 

All  publique  writings  and  records  which  concern  the  inheritances  of  any  people, 
or  the  regelment  of  the  church  —  or  poor,  or  orphans,  shall  be  carefully  kept  by 
those  in  whose  hands  they  are,  and  such  writings  as  particularly  concern  the 
States-General,  may,  at  any  time,  be  sent  to  them. 

13. 
No  judgment  that  hath  passed  any  judicature  here  shall  be  called  in  question,  but 
If  any  conceive  that  he  hath  not  had  justice  done  him,  if  he  apply  himself  to  the 
States-General  the  other  party  shall  be  bound  to  answer  for  ye  supposed  injury. 

14. 

If  any  Dutch  living  here  shall,  at  any  time,  desire  to  travel  or  traffic  into  England, 
or  any  place  or  plantation  in  obedience  to  his  Majesty  of  England,  or  with  the? 
Indians,  he  shall  have  (upon  his  request  to  the  Governor)  a  certificate  that  he  is  a 
free  denizen  of  this  place,  and  liberty  to  do  so. 

15. 

If  it  do  appear  that  there  is  a  public  engagement  of  debt  by  the  town  of  the 
Manhatoes,  and  a  way  agreed  on  for  the  satisfying  of  that  engagement,  it  is  agreed 
that  the  same  way  proposed  shall  go  on,  and  that  the  engagement  shall  be  satisfied. 

16. 

All  Inferior  civil  officers  and  magistrates  shall  continue  as  now  they  are  (if  they 
please),  till  the  customary  time  of  new  election,  and  then  new  ones  to  be  chosen, 
by  themselves,  provided  that  such  new  chosen  magistrates  shall  take  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  his  Majesty  of  England  before  they  enter  upon  their  office. 

17. 
All  differences  of  contracts  and  bargains  made  before  this  day  by  any  in  this 
country,  shall  be  determined  according  to  the  manner  of  the  Dutch. 

18. 

If  it  does  appear  that  the  West  India  Company  of  Amsterdam  do  really  owe  any 

sums  of  money  to  any  persons  here,  it  Is  agreed  that  recognition  and  other  duties 
payable  by  ships  going  to  the  Netherlands  be  continued  for  six  months  longer. 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York. 


559 


19. 


The  officers,  military  and  soldiers,  shall  march  out,  with  their  arms,  drums  beat- 
ing and  colors  flying,  and  lighted  matches,  and  If  any  of  them  will  plant  they  shall 
have  fifty  acres  of  land  set  out  for  them,  if  any  of  them  will  serve  any  as  servants, 
they  shall  continue  with  all  safety,  and  become  free  denizens  afterwards. 

20. 

If  at  any  time  hereafter  the  King  of  Great  Britain  and  the  States  of  the  Nether- 
land,  do  agree  that  this  place  and  country  be  redelivered  into  the  hands  of  tEe  said 
States  whensoever  his  Majesty  will  send  his  commands  to   re-deliver  It,   ft  shall 

Immediately  be  done. 

21. 

That  the  town  of  Manhattans  shall  choose  Deputies,   and  those  Deputies  shall 

have  free  voices  In  all  public  affairs,  as  much  as  any  other  Deputies. 

22. 

Those  who  have  any  property  In  any  houses  in  the  fort  of  Orange,  shall  (If  they 

please)  slight  the  fortifications  there,  and  then  enjoy  all  their  houses,  as  all  people 

do  where  there  Is  no  fort. 

23. 

If  there  be  any  soldiers  that  will  go  Into  Holland,  and  If  the  Company  of  West 
India,  In  Amsterdam,  or  any  private  persons  here  will  transport  them  Into  Holland, 
then  they  shall  have  a  safe  passport  from  Colonel  Richard  NIcolls,  Deputy  Governor 
under  his  Royal  Highness  and  the  other  Commissioners,  to  defend  the  ships  that 
they  shall  transport  such  soldiers,  and  all  the  goods  In  them  from  any  surprlsal  of 
acts  of  hostility  to  be  done  by  any  of  his  Majesty's  ships  or  subjects. 

That  the  copies  of  the  King's  grant  to  his  Royal  Highness  and  the  copy  of  his 
Royal  Highness'  commission  to  Colonel  Richard  NIcolls,  testified  by  two  Commis- 
sioners more,  and  Mr.  Winthrop  to  be  true  copies,  shall  be  delivered  to  the  Honor- 
able Mr,  Stuyvesant,  the  present  Governor,  on  Monday  next  by  eight  of  the  clock 
In  the  morning,  at  the  Old  mill. 

On  these  articles  being  consented  to  and  signed  by  Col.  Richard  NIcolls,  Deputy 
Governor  to  his  Royal  Highness,  within  two  hours  after,  the  fort  and  town  called 
Amsterdam,  upon  the  Isle  of  Manhatoes.  shall  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the 
said  Colonel  Richard  NIcolls  by  the  service  of  such  as  shall  be  by  him  deputed  by 
his  hand  and  seal. 


John  de  Decker 
Nlch.  Verleet 
Sam.  Megapolensis 
Cornelius  Steenwick 
Oloffe  Stevensen  Kortlant 
Jaams  Cousseau 


Robert  Carr 
Geo.  Cartwrlght 
John  Winthrop 
Sam.  Willys 
Thomas  Clarke 
John  Pincheon. 
—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  11.  250,  251,  252,  253. 


1664 


English  Policy  in  the  Capture  of  ISTew  I^etherland. 


1664. 

Charles  II,  on  his  accession,  committed  the  whole  care  and  management  of 
North  American  affairs  to  his  brother  James,  then  Duke  of  York.  This  was  a  wise 
step,  as  James  was  well  acquainted  with  them.  England  was  secure  In  her  pos- 
sessions In  Virginia,  Maryland  and  New  England,  the  latter  then  including  the 
oast  end  of  Long  Island.  To  the  north  lay  Acadia  and  Canada,  occupied  by  the 
French.  English  possessions  were  constantly  menaced  by  the  French  on  the  sea- 
coast,  along  the  lakes  and  rivers  and  from  the  forest-filled  Fndlans.  It  was 
Important  to  England  to  unite  her  southern  and  northern  colonies,  by  conquering 
the  Dutch.  The  Duke  knew  the  present  and  prospective  value  of  New  Netherland. 
Its  possession  was  a  strategical  necessity.  France  might  seize  it.  The  question 
was  whether  France  or  England  should  own  the  Hudson  and  Its  noble  bay.     Could 


1664 


560  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

England  afford  to  have  her  colonies  divided  by  her  most  powerful  enemy,  witb 
the  Iroquois  at  their  back.  The  circumstances  were  important  to  England,  and 
Duke  James  understood  the  situation  and  was  bold  enough  to  act  promptly. 

The  subsequent  base  conduct  of  James  as  King,  has  led  the  writers  not  to  appre- 
ciate the  sagacity  of  James.  Did  he  appreciate  all  this,  or  was  it  only  to  gratify 
an  ephemeral  ambition? 

The  first  steps  of  James  were  wary  and  cautious.  His  patent  from  Charles  II.,. 
invested  him,  his  heirs  and  assigns  with  "  full  and  absolute  power  and  authority 
to  correct,  punish,  pardon,  govern  and  rule  all  such  subjects  of  us.  Our  Heirs  and 
Successors,  who  may  from  time  to  time  adventure  themselves  into  any  of  the  parts- 
or  places  aforesaid,  or  that  shall  or  do  at  any  time  hereafter  inhabit  within  the 
same,  according  to  such  Laws,  Orders,  Ordinances,  Directions  and  Instruments  as^ 
by  our  said  Dearest  Brother  or  his  assigns  shall  be  established  ". 

See  Patent  in  Brodhead,  ii.  651;  also  In  Col.  Docs.  N.  J.  Series  i.  Vol.  1.  3.  Com- 
pare Dix,  1.  37,  38. 

The  Dutch  Rule. 

I  1614-1664. 

The  Dutch  were  the  rulers  of  Manhattan  for  half  a  century,  1614-64.  The  impress, 
of  their  rule  is  yet  evident,  and  will  never  cease.  Just  as  the  Dutch  exerted  an 
influence  which  will  never  cease  upon  English  civilization;  so  New  York  will  never 
lose  the  influence  of  Dutch  jurisprudence  and  religion  upon  her  destinies.  The 
fascinating  story  of  New  Amsterdam  and  Fort  Orange  will  continue  to  be  rewrit- 
ten for  generations  to  come.  Whatever  England's  pretensions  to  the  territory,  the- 
Dutch  actually  discovered  it  and  settled  it,  and  were  finally  cheated  out  of  it. 
That  the  territory  had  been  covered  by  general  English  charters  amounted  to- 
nothing  without  actual  occupation  by  the  English.  Yet  it  was,  no  doubt,  inevi- 
table, that  with  the  decline  of  the  West  India  Company,  New  Netherland  should 
be  lost  to  the  Dutch.  But  the  Dutch  contributed  not  a  small  quota  of  principles- 
which  led  on  to  American  independence. —  Compare  Dlx,  Hist.  Trinity  Ch.  i.  20-26> 

Classis  OF  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1664,  Sept.  15th. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

To  the  Reverend,  Learned  and  Pious  Brethren  of  the  Rev.  Classic 
of  Amsterdam : — 

I  cannot  refrain  from  informing  you  of  our  present  situation^ 
namely,  that  we  have  been  brought  under  the  government  of  the 
King  of  England.  On  the  26th  of  August  there  arrived  in  the 
Bay  of  the  ^orth  River,  near  Staten  Island,  four  great  men-of- 
war,  or  frigates,  well  manned  with  sailors  and  soldiers.  They 
were  provided  with  a  patent  or  commission  from  the  King  of 
Great  Britain  to  demand  and  take  possession  of  this  province,  in 
the  name  of  his  majesty.  If  this  could  not  be  done  in  an  amicable 
way,  they  were  to  attack  the  place,  and  everything  was  to  be 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  561 

throAVTi  open  for  the  English  soldiers  to  plunder,  rob  and  pillage. 
We  were  not  a  little  troubled  by  the  arrival  of  these  frigates. 

Our  Director-General  and  Council,  with  the  municipal  authori- 
ties of  the  city,  took  the  matter  much  to  heart  and  zealously 
sought,  by  messages  between  them  and  General  Richard  Nicolls, 
to  delay  the  decision.  They  asked  that  the  whole  business  should 
be  referred  to  his  Majesty  of  England,  and  the  Lords,  the  States 
General  of  Holland;  but  every  effort  was  fruitless.  They  landed 
their  soldiers  about  two  (Dutch)  miles  from  here,  (six  English 
miles,)  at  Gravezandt,  (Gravesend)  and  marched  them  over  Long 
Island  to  the  Ferry  opposite  this  place.  The  frigates  came  up 
under  full  sail  on  the  4th  of  September  wdth  guns  trained  to  one 
side.  They  had  orders,  and  intended,  if  any  resistance  was  shown 
to  them,  to  give  a  full  broadside  on  this  open  place,  then  take  it 
by  assault,  and  make  it  a  scene  of  pillage  and  bloodshed. 

Our  Hon.  rulers  of  the  (West  India)  Company,  and  the  mu- 
nicipal authorities  of  the  city,  were  inclined  to  defend  the  place, 
but  found  that  it  was  impossible,  for  the  city  was  not  in  a  de- 
fensible condition.  And  even  if  fortified,  it  could  not  have  been 
defended,  because  every  man  posted  on  the  circuit  of  it  would 
have  been  four  rods  distant  from  his  neighbor.  Besides  the  store 
of  powder  in  the  fort,  as  well  as  in  the  city,  was  small.  No  relief 
or  assistance  could  be  expected,  while  daily  great  numbers  on 
foot  and  on  horseback,  from  New  England,  joined  the  English, 
hotly  bent  upon  plundering  the  place.  Savages  and  privateers  also 
offered  their  services  against  us.  Six  hundred  Northern  Indians 
with  one  hundred  and  fifty  French  privateers,  had  even  an  Eng- 
lish commission.  Therefore  upon  the  earnest  request  of  our  citi- 
zens and  other  inhabitants,  our  authorities  found  themselves  com- 
pelled to  come  to  terms,  for  the  sake  of  avoiding  bloodshed  ajid 
pillage.  The  negotiations  were  concluded  on  the  6th  of  Septem- 
ber.    The  English  moved  in  on  the  8th,  according  to  agreement. 

After  the  surrender  of  the  place  several  Englishmen,  who  had 

36 


1664 


1664 


562  Ecclesiastical  Kecokds 

lived  here  a  long  time  and  were  our  friends,  came  to  ns,  and  said 
that  God  had  signally  overruled  matters,  that  the  affair  had  been 
arranged  by  negotiations;  else  nothing  but  pillage,  bloodshed  and 
general  ruin  would  have  followed.  This  was  comfirmed  by  several 
soldiers  who  said  that  they  had  come  here  from  England  hoping 
for  booty;  but  that  now,  since  the  matter  turned  out  so  differently, 
they  desired  to  return  to  England. 

The  Articles  of  Surrender  stipulate,  that  our  religious  services 
and  doctrines,  together  with  the  preachers  shall  remain  and  con- 
tinue unchanged.  Therefore  we  could  not  separate  ourselves 
from  our  congregation  and  hearers,  but  consider  it  our  duty  to 
remain  with  them'  for  some  time  yet,  that  they  may  not  scatter 
and  run  wild. 

The  Hon.  Company  still  owes  me  a  considerable  sum,  which 
I  hope  and  wish  they  would  pay.  Closing  herewith  I  recommend 
}  our  Honor's  persons  and  work  to  God's  blessing  and  remain. 

Your  willing  colleague, 
Manhattan,   Sept.   15,   1664.  Samuel  Drisius 

Another  translation  in  Col.  Docs.  IST.  Y.  xiii.  393-4. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Henricus  Sellyns. 

1664,  Sept.  29th. 

Rev.  Henricus  Sellvns,  late  minister  at  Breuckelyn.  in  'New 
N'etherland,  appeared  before  this  Assembly.  He  told  of  the  good 
increase  and  peaceful  condition  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  in 
that  land,  and  how  he  had  conducted  himself  in  the  service  there. 
He  also  handed  in  testimonials,  both  ecclesiastical  and  civil.  He 
further  requested  that  he  might  be  received  by  this  Classis  and 
recommended  for  service  in  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  here.  The 
Rev.  Classis  took  very  great  satisfaction  in  everything  he  said, 
and  received  him  into  their  special  favor,  (into  particular  recom- 
mendation.) They  thanked  him  for  his  faithful  and  excellent 
services,    vi.  354. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  56 


o 


1664 


Akticles  of  Agreement  ^Made  With  Deputies  from  Albany 
After  the  Reduction  of  the  Province. 

October  10,  1604. 

1 

2 

3.  That  the  Inhabitants  of  Albany  shall  enjoy  the  benefitt  of  all  the  Articles  of 
Surrender  made  at  New  Yorke. 
4 

5.  That  the  salary  to  the  Preacher,  Clarke,  Secretary  and  Boade*  shall  be  con- 
tinued and  paid  as  formerly  till  further  order, —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  559. 


Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

Salary  of  Evert  Pietersen,  schoolmaster. 

1664,  October  11. 

Mr.  Evert  Pietersen,  Schoolmaster  of  this  City,  represents,  as  his  allowance  from 
the  Company  is  struck  off,  that  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  shall  be  pleased  to 
keep  him  at  the  same  allowance;  to  wit,  thirty  six  florins  per  month,  one  hundred 
and  twenty  five  florins  for  board,  Holland  currency,  free  house  for  school  and 
residence  and  free  passage  to  Patria;  offering  his  service  and  to  continue  the  same. 
Apostille:  Petitioner  shall  have  to  be  patient  for  the  space  of  eight  days,  when 
his  petition  shall  be  disposed  of. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  5.  p.  137. 

Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

The  Dutch  refuse  to  swear  allegiance  to  Great   Britain  except   "  Conformably  to 

Articles  of  Surrender." 

1064,  Oct.  14-20. 

Friday,  14th  October  1664  at  one  o'clock  in  the  Afternoon  having  been  sent  for, 
appeared  at  this  City  Hall  Pieter  Tonneman,  Paulus  Leenderzen  vander  Grift,  Cor- 
nells Steenwyck,  Tymotheus  Gabry,  Isaack  Grevenraat,  Nicolaas  de  Meyer,  Allard 
Anthony,  Joannes  de  Peister,  Jacob  Kip,  Jacques  Cousseau,  Isaack  de  Foreest, 
Jerouimus  Ebbinck. 

Burgomasters  reported.  Governor  Richard  Nicolls  had  the  evening  previous 
Informed  them,  that  he  should  appear  in  person  to  administer  the  oath  and  with 
that  view  Burgomasters  should  summon  to  this  City  Hall  the  Magistracy  of  this 
City  and  some  of  the  principal  inhabitants.  After  which  Governor  Nicolls  appeared 
in  person  with  his  Secretary  at  this  City  Hall,  enquiring  where  Petrus  Stuyvesant, 
Secretary  van  Ruyven  and  the  preachers  were?  It  was  thereunto  answered,  it 
was  not  known  that  they  should  be  sent  for.  To  which  the  Governor  Nicolls  said, 
that  they  should  be  sent  for.     Who  being  invited  they  immediately  came. 

The  Governor  Nicolls  requests  of  the  present  assembly  to  take  the  following 
oath: — 

I  swear  by  the  name  of  Almighty  God  that  I  will  be  a  true  subject  to  the  King 
of  Great  Britain  and  will  obey  all  such  commands  as  I  shall  receive  from  his 
Majesty,  his  Royal  Highnesse  James  Duke  of  York  and  such  Governours,  and  Ofl3cers 
as  from  time  to  time  are  appointed  over  me  by  his  authority  and  none  other  wliilst 
I  live  In  any  of  his  Majesties  territories.     So  help  me  God. 

The  preceding  oath  being  read  to  the  meeting  by  Governor  Nicolls,  divers  debates 
occurred  thereupon  by  some  of  the  assembly.  Finally  all  In  the  meeting  roundly 
declared  that  they  could  not  take  such  oath,   unless  Mr.  Nicolls  should  please  to 

♦  Messenger.  : 


1664 


564  Ecclesiastical  Records 

add  to  the  said  oath  —  Conformable  to  the  Articles  concluded  on  the  Surrender  of 
this  place  —  as  they  feared  by  taking  such  oath  they  might  nullify  or  render  void 
the  articles. 

Then  Domine  Megapolensis  and  Secretary  van  Ruyven  stated  that  they  saw  no- 
Impediment  to  taking  such  oath.  Nevertheless  divers  words  occurred  over  and 
hither  thereupon;  after  which  Governor  Richard  Nicolls  finally  departed  with  his- 
secretary  for  the  meeting.     The  assembly  also  then  adjourned. 

On  the  Tuesday  following  the  Burgomasters  went  with  the  Treasurer's  book  of 
the  City  accounts  to  Governor  Richard  Nicolls,  and  placed  the  same  in  his  hands 
together  with  the  bond  granted  to  the  City  by  the  late  Director  General  and 
Council.  After  which  divers  debates  arose  on  both  sides  in  presence  of  Coll.  Cart- 
wright  and  Mr.  Thomas  Willet  regarding  the  oath,  and  then  the  Governor  sald^ 
that  the  Commonality  were  greatly  distracted  by  some.  Burgomasters  thereupon/ 
declared,  that  they  had  no  knowledge  thereon  and  persisted  again  that  they  could 
not  take  the  oath  before  and  until  It  was  thereunto  added  —  Conformable  to  the 
Articles  concluded  at  the  surrender  of  this  place.  Whereupon  the  Governour  exhib- 
ited and  delivered  to  the  Burgomasters  the  following  writing: — 

Whereas  there  is  a  false  and  Injurious  aspertlon  cast  upon  the  Oath  of  Obedience 
to  his  Majesty  his  Royal  Highnesse  the  Duke  of  York  and  the  Governor  and  Officers- 
appointed  by  his  Majesty's  Authority  and  that  some  persons  have  maliciously 
sought  to  distract  the  minds  of  the  Inhabitants  "of  New  York  by  suggesting  that 
the  Articles  of  Peace  so  late  and  solemnly  made  signed  and  sealed  were  Intended 
by  that  Oath  to  be  made  Null  and  of  none  effect,  to  the  end  that  such  wicked  prac- 
tices may  not  take  the  effect  for  which  they  are  designed  and  that  all  now  under 
his  Majesties  obedience  as  denizens  of  his  towne,  may  be  undeceived,  and  not  give 
any  longer  creditt  to  the  disturbers  of  the  peace  of  this  Government;  I  doe  think 
fitt  to  declare  that  the  Articles  of  Surrender  are  not  in  the  least  broken  or  intended 
to  be  broken  by  any  words  or  expressions  on  the  said  Oath,  and  if  any  person  or 
persons  hereafter  shall  presume  to  give  any  other  construction  of  the  joind  Oath 
than  Is  herein  declared,  I  shall  accompt  him  or  them  disturbers  of  t"he  peace  of  hls^ 
Majesties  subjects  and  proceed  accordingly;  I  doe  further  appoint  and  order  that 
this  declaracon  bee  forthwith  read,  to  all  the  Inhabitants  and  Registered:  as  also 
that  every  denizen  under  my  Government  doe  take  the  said  Oath  who  intend  ta 
Remane  here  under  his  Majesties  Obedience.  Given  under  my  hand  this  eighteenth- 
day  of  October  in  the  yeare  of  our  Lord  God  1664:  was  signed  Richard  Nicolls. 
At  the  side  stood:    To  the  Burgomasters  and  other  Magistrates  of  New  Yorcke. 

This  date  20th  October  1664.  In  this  City  Hall  assembled  Pieter  Tonneman,  Pau- 
lus  Leenderts  vander  Grift,  Cornells  Steenwyck,  Tymotheus  Gabry,  Isaack  Greven-^ 
raat,  Nicolas  de  Meyer,  Allard  Anthony,  Johannes  van  Brugh,  Joannes  de  Peister^ 
Hendrlek  Janzen  vander  Vin,  Jacob  Kip,  Hendrick  Kip,  the  Elder,  Jacques  Cous- 
seau,  Jeronimus  Ebbinck,  Govert  Loockermans,  Isaack  de  Foreest,  Jan  Vinge. 

The  proceedings  which  took  place  as  well  on  the  14th  October  as  afterwards,  and 
the  writing  of  Governour  Nicolls  being  read  to  the  meeting,  it  was  asked  whether 
the  aforesaid  Oath  could  not  be  taken,  inasmuch  as  Mr.  Nicolls  stated  in  writing, 
That  the  Articles  of  the  Surrender  of  this  place  are  not  broken  in  the  least,  nor 
intended  to  be  broken?  Whereupon  it  was  universally  resolved  in  the  affirmative, 
provided  the  abovenamed  Governour  Nicolls  shall  seal  his  given  writing.  Then 
Mr.  Tonneman  says,  he  cannot  give  his  advice  thereupon  as  he  intends  to  depart 
for  Holland  with  the  ship  lying  ready  to  sail. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  5. 
pp.  142,  143,  144,  145. 

!N'ames  OF  THE  Dutch  Who  Swore  Allegiance  to  Great- 
Britain  After  the  Surrender  of  Kew  York,  October  21— 
26,  1664. 

The  Oath. 

I  sweare  by  the  name  of  Almighty  God,  that  I  will  be  a  true  subject  to  the  King^ 
Of  Great  Britain,  and  will  obey  all  such  commands  as  I  shall  receive  from  HI» 
Majesty,  His  Royal  Highnesse,  James,  Duke  of  York,  and  such  Governors  and  Offi- 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  565 

«ers  as  from  time  to  time  are  appointed  over  me,  by  His  antiiority,  and  none  otlier 
wtiilst  I  live  in  any  of  his  Majesty's  territories;  SO  HELP  ME  GOD. 

Tliere  are  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  names  of  these  printed  in  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
lil.  74-77.  Among  the  more  prominent  names,  most  if  not  all  of  whom  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Dutch  Church,  are  the  following: 

Nicholas  Bayard,  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius,  Lourens  Desille,  Johannes  De  Witt,  Coen- 
rant  Ten  Eyck,  Isaac  de  Forrest,  Fredericlf  Fillpzen,  Abel  Hardenbroeck,  Johannes 
Hardenbroeck,  Christoffle  Hoogheland,  Hendrick  Kipp,  Sr.,  Isaac  Kipp,  Jacob  Kipp, 
Rev.  Egidlus  Luyck,  Jacob  Leisler,  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis,  Rev.  Johannes  Mega- 
polensis,  Johannes  Nevlus,  Johannes  De  Peister,  Johannes  Provoost  of  Albany, 
Pieter  G.  Stuyvesant,  Cornelius  B.  Steenwick,  Oloffe  Van  Cortlandt  Stevenzen, 
Pieter  Stoutenburg,  Abram  Staets,  Cornelius  Van  Ruyven,  Johannes  Van  Brugh, 
Abraham  Verplank,  Warnar  Wessell,  Resolveert  Waldron.— Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  iii. 
74-76. 

West  India  Company  to  the  States-General. 

(From  a  Copy  In  the  Royal  Archives  at  the  Hague;  File,  West  Indie.) 

Read  24th  October,  16&4. 

To  the  High  and  Mighty  Lords,  States  General  of  the  United  Netherlands. —  The 
Directors  of  the  General  Incorporated  West  India  Company  have  been  obliged  to 
trouble  your  High  Mightinesses  from  time  to  time  with  complaints  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  English,  who,  after  their  intolerable  violences  had  dispossessed  the  Com- 
pany of  one  place  and  then  of  another,  of  the  conquests  of  this  State  in  New 
Netherland,  to  the  end  that  your  High  Mightinesses  may  not  be  ignorant  of  the 
manner  whereby  this  State  was  robbed  of  its  foreign  possessions,  and  the  inhab- 
itants thereof,  of  their  trade,  and  that  you,  High  and  Mighty,  may  be  graciously 
pleased,  in  season,  to  devise  some  means  or  othei*,  in  your  profound  wisdom, 
whereby  total  loss  may  be  prevented.  And,  finally,  they  are  forced  with  sorrow, 
most  humbly,  to  make  known  to  you.  High  and  Mighty,  that,  in  verification  of  their 
previous  remonstrances,  complaints  and  warnings,  the  ships  and  forces  sent  from 
England  by  the  Duke  of  York,  assisted  by  the  power  of  New  England,  on  the  27th 
of  August  last,  reduced,  captured  and  subjected  to  the  English  authority,  the  City 
of  New  Amsterdam,  now  occupied  for  fifty  years  in  full  peace  and  quietness,  and 
in  addition  thereto,  the  entire  of  New  Netherland,  and  immediately  called  It  by 
the  name  of  New  York,  whereby  thousands  of  people  have  been  reduced  to  a 
miserable  condition,  and  the  State  hath  lost  a  Province,  the  appearance  whereof 
was  wonderful  to  behold;  which  annually  afforded  thousands  of  people  a  living, 
already  augmented  the  shipping  trade,  and  within  a  few  years  would  have  caused 
«.n  incredible  increase  thereof;  promoted  the  commerce  of  this  country  to  an  incon- 
ceivable degree,  whereby  the  Company  hath  experienced  a  loss  of  millions  expended 
thereon  for  the  benefit  of  the  State  and  promotion  of  the  trade  of  this  country. 
Therefore,  the  Company  is  again  obliged,  humbly  to  pray  your  High  Mightinesses 
to  be  pleased  to  take  Into  consideration,  according  to  their  importance,  these  vio- 
lences and  hostilities  against  the  State  and  to  the  Company's  great  loss,  and,  above 
all  things,  to  consider  the  sorrowful  and  lamentable  complaints  of  the  inhabitants 
remaining  there,  in  the  hope  that  your  High  Mightinesses  may  still  find  means  to 
recover  that  country,  which  the  above  named  Directors  once  more  pray  and  request. 

Which  doing,  etc. 

(Signed),  MIchlel  Ten  Hove. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  II.  272. 

E-ESOLUTION  OF  THE  StATES-GeNERAL. 

(From  the  Register  of  West  India  Affairs,  1664-1670,  In  the  Royal  Archives  at  the 

Hague.)  * 

Friday,  24th  October,  1664. 

Read  at  the  Assembly  a  certain  Remonstrance  of  the  Directors  of  tlie  West  India 
Company  of  this  country,  complaining  that  the  ships  and  forces  sent  from  England 
by  the  Duke  of  York,  aided  by  the  power  of  New  England,  had,  on  the  27th  of 


1664 


1664 


566  Ecclesiastical  Records 

August  last,  reduced,  captured  and  subjected  to  English  authority,  the  city  of 
New  Amsterdam,  now,  for  fifty  years  occupied  in  full  peace  and  quietness,  and  in 
addition  thereto,  the  entire  of  New  Netherland,  and  immediately  called  it  by  the 
name  of  New  Yorli.  Which  being  considered,  it  is  resolved  and  concluded  that  a 
copy  of  the  aforesaid  Remonstrance  shall  be  sent  to  all  the  Provinces,  with  the 
request  that  they  forthwith  exert  themselves  to  the  uttermost  to  obtain  vigorous 
consent  and  the  appropriation  of  necessary  pecuniary  means,  to  prevent  the  mis- 
chiefs whereby  this  State  is  threatened  both  within  and  beyond  Europe.  Copy  of 
said  Remonstrance  shall  likewise  be  transmitted  to  Ambassador  van  Gogh,  in  order 
that  he  strongly  expostulate  against  the  attacks  aforesaid,  and  request  due  and 
prompt  reparation  from  the  King  of  Great  Britain  therefor,  together  with  the 
issue  of  prompt  order  for  the  cessation  of  similar  attacks  in  future. —  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.  ii.  272,  273.  1 

Resolution  of  the  States  of  Holland. 

(From  the  Resolution  van  Holland,  1664,  p.  447,  in  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y.) 

25th  October,  1664. 

Read  at  the  meeting  a  certain  Remonstrance  presented  to  their  High  Mightinesses 
by  the  Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West  India  Company  of  these  parts,  complain- 
ing of  the  intolerable  violences  committed  against  said  Company  by  those  of  the 
English  nation  in  New  Netherland  and  elsewhere,  and,  namely,  that  the  ships  and 
forces  sent  from  England  by  the  Duke  of  York,  aided  by  the  power  of  New  England, 
had,  on  the  27th  of  August  last,  captured  and  subjected  to  English  authority  the 
city  of  New  Amsterdam,  now  occupied  for  fifty  years  in  full  peace  and  quietness, 
and  in  addition  thereto,  the  entire  of  New  Netherland,  and  immediately  called  the 
same  by  the  name  of  New  York,  with  request  that  their  High  Mightinesses,  for 
reasons  more  fully  set  forth  in  said  Remonstrance,  would  be  pleased  to  consider, 
according  to  their  importance,  the  aforesaid  violences  and  hostilities  committed 
by  the  English  against  this  State  and  said  West  India  Company,  and,  above  all 
things,  also  to  take  into  consideration  the  sad  and  lamentable  complaints  of  the 
inhabitants  remaining  there,  in  hopes  that  means  will  be  found  by  their  High 
Mightinesses  to  recover  the  same. 

Which  being  considered,  it  is  resolved  and  concluded  that  the  aforesaid  Remon- 
strance shall  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Nobles  (Heeren  van  de  Kidderschap)* 
and  other  their  Noble  Great  Mightinesses'  Committee  for  the  affairs  of  England,  in 
order,  after  mature  deliberation  of  its  contents,  to  submit  their  opinions  and  advice 
thereupon.  i 

Resolution  of  the  States  of  Holland. 

(From  the  Resolutien  van  Holland,  1664,   p.  459,  in  State  Library,  Albany,   N.  Y.) 

31st  October,  1664. 

The  Grand  Pensionary  hath  reported  to  the  Assembly,  the  opinions  and  advice 
of  their  Noble,  Great  Mightinesses'  Committee  for  the  affairs  of  England,  having, 
pursuant  and  in  fulfilment  of  the  resolution  dated  25th  of  this  current  month, 
examined  and  considered  the  contents  of  a  certain  Remonstrance  presented  to  their 
High  Mightinesses  by  the  Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West  India  Company  of 
these  parts,  complaining  of  the  intolerable  violence  committed  against  said  Com- 
pany of  those  of  the  English  nation  in  New  Netherland  and  elsewhere,  and,  namely, 
that  the  ships  and  forces  sent  from  England  by  the  Duke  of  York,  aided  by  the 
power  of  New  England,  had,  on  the  27th  of  August  last,  captured  and  subjected  to 
English  authority  the  city  of  New  Amsterdam,  now  occupied  for  half  a  century  of 
years  In  full  peace  and  •quietness,  and  in  addition  thereunto  the  entire  Province  of 

*  The  supreme  authority  in  the  Province  of  Holland  was  vested  in  an  assembly 
or  body,  consisting  of  the  Raad  Pensionaris,  Nobles  and  the  Deputies  from  certain 
cities,  eighteen  in  number.  The  Nobles  were  denominated  Heeren  van  de  Ridder- 
schap. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  273. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yokk.  567 

New  Netherland,  and  also  immediately  called  the  same  by  the  name  of  New  York; 
requesting  their  High  Mightinesses,  for  reasons  more  fully  set  forth  in  the  afore- 
said Remonstrance,  to  be  pleased  to  take  into  consideration,  according  to  their 
importance,  the  aforesaid  violences  and  hostilities  committed  by  the  English 
against  this  State  and  said  West  India  Company,  and  above  all  things,  to  consider, 
also,  the  sad  and  lamentable  complaints  of  the  inhabitants  remaining  there,  in  the 
hope  that  means  may  be  found  by  their  High  Mightinesses  to  recover  the  same. 

Whereupon,  deliberation  being  had,  it  is  resolved  and  concluded  that  the  matter 
shall  be  referred,  on  the  part  of  their  Noble,  Great  Mightinesses,  to  the  States- 
General  (ter  Generalitelt)  to  the  end  that  their  High  Mightinesses  may  cause  a 
copy  of  the  aforesaid  Remonstrance,  and  other  papers  thereunto  appertaining,  to 
be  transmitted  to  Mr,  Van  Gogh,  Ordinary  Ambassador  from  this  State  to  the 
King  of  Great  Britain,  with  orders  to  expostulate,  strongly  and  seriously,  with  his 
Majesty  on  the  matter  aforesaid,  requesting,  hereupon,  prompt  restitution  and 
reparation,  also,  a  speedy  and  categorical  answer  and  declaration  from  his  Majesty, 
whereof  he,  the  Ambassador,  shall  immediately  notify  their  High  Mightinesses  by 
express  and  the  ordinary  post.  The  resolution  to  be  adopted  by  their  High  Mighti- 
nesses is  to  be  handed  by  Agent  de  Heyde  to  the  Ambassador  of  France  and  to 
Mr.  Downing,  Extraordinary  Envoy  of  the  aforesaid  King  of  Great  Britain,  also, 
to  Messrs.,  the  Residents  of  Sweden  and  Denmark,  and,  likewise,  to  Mr.  Boreel, 
Ordinary  Ambassador  from  this  State  to  the  King  and  Court  of  France,  and  to 
Residents  Heins  and  Le  Maire  to  serve  for  their  further  information. —  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.  li.  275,  276. 

Resolution  of  the  States-General. 

(From  the  Register  of  West  India  Affairs,  1664-1670,  in  the  Royal  Archives  at  the 

Hague.) 

The  Remonstrance  presented  by  the  Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West  India 
Company  of  this  country  Is  again  brought  before  the  Assembly,  complaining  of  the 
intolerable  violences  committed  against  the  said  Company  by  those  of  the  English 
nation  in  New  Netherland  and  elsewhere,  and  namely  that  the  ships  and  forces 
sent  from  England  by  the  Duke  of  York,  aided  by  the  power  of  New  England, 
had,  on  the  27th  of  August  last,  captured  and  subjected  to  English  authority  the 
city  of  New  Amsterdam,  now  occupied  for  fifty  years  in  full  peace  and  quietness, 
and,  in  addition  thereunto,  the  whole  of  New  Netherland,  and  immediately  called 
the  same  by  the  name  of  New  York,  requesting  that  their  High  Mightinesses,  for 
the  reasons  more  fully  set  forth  in  the  aforesaid  Remonstrance,  would  be  pleased 
to  take  into  consideration,  according  to  their  importance,  the  aforesaid  violences 
and  hostilities  committed  by  the  English  against  this  State  and  said  West  India 
Company,  and,  above  all  things,  also  to  consider  the  sad  and  lamentable  complaints 
of  the  inhabitants  remaining  there.  In  hopes  that  means  may  be  found  by  their 
High  Mightinesses  to  recover  the  same.  Which  being  considered,  it  ia  resolved 
and  concluded  that  copy  of  the  aforesaid  Remonstrance,  with  and  besides  the 
additional  papers  appertaining  thereunto,  shall  be  sent  to  Ambassador  Van  Gogh, 
with  order  to  expostulate  strongly  and  seriously  with  the  King  of  Great  Britain 
respecting  what  is  above  set  forth,  requesting  hereupon  prompt  restitution  and 
reparation;  also  a  speedy  and  categorical  answer  and  declaration  from  the  Lord, 
the  King,  whereof  he,  the  Ambassador,  shall  immediately  notify  their  High  Mighti- 
nesses by  express  and  also  by  the  ordinary  post.  This,  their  High  Mightinesses' 
resolution,  shall  also  be  handed  by  Agent  de  Heyde  to  the  Ambassador  of  France, 
and  Mr.  Downing,  Extraordinary  Envoy  of  the  King  of  Great  BrfEaIn;  also  to 
Messrs.  the  Residents  of  Sweden  and  Denmark,  and  likewise  sent  to  Ambassador 
Boreel  and  Residents  Heins  and  Le  Maire  to  serve  for  their  further  Information; 
and  the  despatches  resulting  herefrom  shall  be  sent  off  without  reconsideration.—. 
Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  276,  277. 


1664 


1665 


568  Ecclesiastical  Recokds  •  ii 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1664,  E"ov.  10th. 

A  letter  was  read,  written  by  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius,  minister 
on  Manhattan,  referring  to  the  transition  of  these  places,  by  treaty 
to  the  English  ]^ation.  He  intends  to  remain  there  in  order  to 
prevent  the  scattering  of  the  congregation. —  xxi.  20. 

The   Governors  Lre.   to  ye   Inhabitants   of  Long   Island, 
Touching  a  Generall  Meeting  of  Deputyes  at  Hempsteed. 

[Feb.  28,  1665.] 

Whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  Long  Island,  have  for  a  Long  time  groaned  under 
many  grievous  inconveniences,  and  discouragements  occasioned  partly  from  their 
subjection,  partly  from  their  opposicon  to  a  forraigne  power,  in  which  distracted 
condicon,  few  or  no  Lawes  could  bee  putt  in  due  Execucon,  Bounds  and  Titles  to 
Lands  disputed,  Civill  Libertyes  interrupted,  and  from  this  Generall  Confusion, 
private  dissentions  and  animosityes,  have  too  much  prevailed  against  Neighborly 
Love,  and  Christian  Charity;  To  the  preventing  of  the  future  growth  of  like  Evils, 
his  Majesty  as  a  signall  grace  and  honor  to  his  subjects  upon  Long  Island,  hath  at 
his  own  charge  reduc't  the  forraigne  Power  to  his  obedience  and  by  Pattent  hath 
invested  his  Royall  Highness  the  Duke  of  York  with  full  and  absolute  Power,  in 
and  over  all  and  every  the  Particular  Tracts  of  Land  therein  mentioned,  which 
said  Powers  by  Commission  from  his  Royall  Highnesse  the  Duke  of  York,  I  am 
deputed  to  put  in  execution.  In  discharge  therefore  of  my  Trust  and  Duty,  to 
settle  good  and  knowne  Laws  within  this  government  for  the  future,  and  receive 
your  best  advice  and  Informacon  in  a  General  Meeting,  I  have  thought  fitt  to  pub- 
lish unto  you,  That  upon  the  last  day  of  this  present  February,  at  Hempsteed  upon 
Long  Island,  shall  be  held  a  Generall  Meeting,  which  is  to  consist  of  Deputyes 
chosen  by  the  major  part  of  the  freemen  only,  which  is  to  be  understood,  of  all 
Persons  rated  according  to  their  estates,  whether  English  or  Dutch,  within  your 
several  Towns  and  precincts,  whereof  you  are  to  make  Publication  to  the  Inhab- 
itants, foure  days  before  you  proceed  to  an  Election  appointing  a  certain  day  to 
that  purpose.  You  are  further  to  impart  to  the  inhabitants  from  «mee,  that  I  do 
heartily  recommend  to  them  the  choice  of  the  most  sober,  able  and  discreet  per- 
sons, without  partiality  or  faction,  the  fruite  and  benefitt  whereof  will  return  to 
themselves  in  a  full  and  perfect  settlement  and  composure  of  all  controversyes, 
and  the  propagacon  of  tru'e  religion  amongst  us.  They  are  also  required  to  bring 
with  them  a  Draught  of  each  Towne  Limits,  or  such  writings  as  are  necessary  to 
evidence  the  Bounds  and  Limltts,  as  well  as  the  right  by  which  they  challenge 
such  Bounds  and  Limits,  by  Grant  or  Purchase,  or  both,  as  also  to  give  notice  of 
this  meeting  to  Sachems  of  the  Indyans,  whose  presence  may  in  some  cases  bee 
accessary.  Lastly  I  do  require  you  to  Assemble  your  Inhabitants  and  read  this 
letter  to  them,  and  then  and  there  to  nominate  a  day  for  the  Election  of  two  Depu- 
tyes from  your  Towne,  who  are  to  bring  a  certificate  of  their  due  election,  (with 
full  power  to  conclude  any  cause  or  matter  relating  to  their  severall  Townes)  to 
meet  at  Hempsteed  upon  the  last  day  of  February,  where  (God  Willing)  I  shall 
expect  them. 

Your  assured  friend, 

Richard  Nicolls. 
February  1664-5. 
'  —Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  564. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  569 

The  Concessions  and  Agreements  of  Berkeley  and  Carteret, 
THE  Lords  Proprietors,  with  the  Adventurers,  or  Plant- 
ers IN  New  Jersey,  so  Far  as  They  Relate  to  Religion. 

(From  Learning  and  Splcer's  Ed.  of  Laws.) 

A. 

I  1665,  Feb.  10. 

item.  That  no  Person  qualified  as  aforesaid  (by  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  King 
of  Great  Britain)  within  the  said  Province,  at  any  time  shall  be  anyways  molested, 
punished,  disquieted  or  called  in  question  for  any  Differences  in  Opinion  or  Prac- 
tice In  matter  of  Religious  Concernments,  who  do  not  actually  disturb  the  clvii 
Peace  of  the  said  Province;  but  that  all  and  every  such  Person  and  Persons  may 
from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times,  freely  and  fully  have  and  enjoy  his  and  their 
judgements  and  Consciences  In  matters  of  Religion  throughout  the  said  Province, 
they  behaving  themselves  peaceably  and  quietly,  and  not  using  this  Liberty  to 
Licentiousness,  nor  to  the  civil  Injury  or  outward  disturbance  of  others;  any  Law, 
Statute  or  Clause  contained,  or  to  be  contained,  usage  or  custom  of  tills  Realm  of 
England,  to  the  contrary  thereof  in  any  wise  notwithstanding. 

item.  That  no  pretence  may  be  taken  by  our  Heirs  or  Assigns  for  or  by  reason 
of  our  right  of  Patronage  and  Power  of  Advowson,  granted  by  his  Majesty's  Let- 
ter's Patents,  unto  his  Royal  Highness  James  Duke  of  York,  and  by  his  said  Royal 
Highness  unto  us,  thereby  to  infringe  the  general  clause  of  Liberty  of  Conscience 
aforementioned:  We  do  hereby  grant  unto  the  General  Assembly  of  the  said 
Province,  Power  by  Act,  to  constitute  and  appoint  such  and  so  many  Ministers  or 
Preachers  as  they  shall  think  fit,  and  to  establish  their  Maintenance,  giving  liberty 
beside  to  any  Person  or  Persons  to  keep  and  maintain  what  Preachers  or  Ministers 
they  please. 

B. 

The  inhabitants  being  freemen  were  then  directed  to  select  twelve  representa- 
tives from  among  themselves,  who,  with  the  Governor  and  Council  should  make 
Laws,  Ordinances  and  a  Constitution.  But  after  the  division  of  the  Province  Into 
parishes  or  other  divisions,  the  free  citizens  were  to  elect  on  the  first  day  of  Janu- 
ary, Freeholders  for  each  division  to  be  the  Representatives  of  the  same.  A 
majority  of  these  with  the  Governor  and  Council  shall  constitute  the  General 
Assembly. 

^  Their  Powers, 

II.  To  Enact  and  make  all  such  Laws,  Acts  and  Constitutions  as  shall  be  neces- 
sary for  the  well  Government  of  the  said  Province,  and  them  to  repeal:  Provided, 
that  the  same  be  consonant  to  Reason,  and  as  near  as  may  be  conveniently  agree- 
able to  the  Laws  and  Customs  of  his  Majesty's  Kingdom  of  England:  Provided 
also,  that  they  be  not  against  the  Interests  of  us  the  Lords  Proprietors,  our  Heirs 
or  Assigns,  nor  any  of  those  our  Concessions;  especially  that  they  be  not  repugnant 
to  the  Article  for  Liberty  of  Conscience  above  mentioned. 

In  reference  to  distribution  of  land: 

III.  ITEM.  We  do  also  grant  convenient  Proportions  of  Land  for  High- Ways  and 
for  Streets,  not  exceeding  one  hundred  feet  in  breadth  In  Cities,  Towns  and  Vil- 
lages, etc.  and  for  CHURCHES,  Forts,  Wharfes,  Kays,  Harbours  and  for  Publick 
Houses;  and  to  each  Parish  for  the  use  of  the  Ministers  two  hundred  acres,  In  such 
Places  as  the  General  Assembly  shall  appoint. 

C. 

IV.  ITEM.  The  Governor  Is  to  take  notice,  that  all  such  Lands  laid  out  for  the 
uses  and  purposes  aforesaid.  In  the  next  preceding  Article,  shall  be  free  and  exempt 
from  all  Rents,  Taxes  and  other  Charges  and  Duties  whatsoever,  payable  to  u&, 
our  Heirs  or  Assigns. 


1665 


1665 


570  Ecclesiastical  Records 

In  the  Commission  of  Philip  Carteret,   (February  10,  1665,)  as  Goveruor  of  New 
Jersey,  nothing  relating  to  Religion  occurs. 


In   the   Instructions   to    Philip    Carteret,    (February    10,    1665.)    nothing    relating 
directly  tp  ecclesiastical  business  occurs. 


The  Governor  and  Council  receive  "  Absolute  Power  and  Authority  "  "  to  let, 
sell,  convey  and  assure  such  Land  in  our  said  Province,  to  such  Person  and  Per- 
sons, and  for  such  Estate  and  Estates,  and  with  such  Conditions,  Provisions  and 
Limitations  as  we  by  our  Concessions  and  Agreement,  under  our  Hand  and  Seal, 
bearing  Date  with  these  Presents,  to  and  with  the  Adventurers  are  obliged  to 
grant,  etc."     28. 


The  Proprietors  promise  to  ratify  all  the  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly  made  In 
accordance  with  the  Concessions  etc.    29. 


And  lastly,  if  our  Governor  and  Council  shall  happen  to  find  any  natives  In  our 
said  Province  and  Tract  of  Land  aforesaid,  that  then  they  treat  them  with  all 
Humanity  and  Kindness,  and  not  in  anywise  grieve  or  oppress  them,  but  endeavor 
by  a  Christian  carriage  to  manifest  Piety,  Justice  and  Charity,  and  in  your  con- 
versation with  them,  the  manifestation  whereof  will  prove  Beneficial  to  the  Plant- 
ers, and  likewise  Advantageous  to  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel 30. 


THE  DUKE'S  LAWS. 

Eeb.  28,  1665. 

So  Far  as  They  Relate  to  Religion. 

Applicable  onlj  to  Long  Island  and  Staten  Island  until  1674. 

"  Whereas  the  public  worship  of  God  is  nrnch  discredited  for 
want  of  painful  and  able  ministers  to  instruct  the  people  in  the 
true  religion,  and  for  want  of  convenient  places  capal^le  to  receive 
any  number  or  assembly  of  people,  in  a  decent  manner,  for  cele- 
brating God's  holy  ordinances,  these  ensuing  laws  are  to  be  ob- 
served in  every  parish,  viz. : 

1.  That  in  each  parish  within  this  government  a  church  be  built 
in  the  most  convenient  part  thereof,  capable  to  receive  and  accom- 
modate two  hundred  persons. 

2.  That  for  the  making  and  proportioning  the  levies  and  assess- 
ments for  building  and  repairing  the  churches,  provision  for  the 
poor,  maintenance  for  the  minister,  as  well  as  for  the  more  orderly 
managing  of  all  parochial  affairs  in  other  cases  expressed;  eight 
of  the  most  able  men  of  each  parish  be,  by  the  major  part  of  the 


OF  THE  State  of  IN'ew  York.  5Y1 

1665 

householders  of  the  said  parish,  chosen,  to  be  overseers;  out  of 
which  number  the  constable  and  the  aforesaid  eight  overseers  shall 
yearly  make  choice  of  two  of  the  said  number  to  be  church-war- 
dens; and  in  case  of  the  death  of  any  of  the  said  overseers  and 
church-wardens,  or  his  or  their  departure  out  of  the  parish,  the 
said  constable  and  overseers  shall  make  choice  of  another  to  supply 
his  room. 

3.  Every  overseer  is  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  at  the  time 
of  his  admittance  into  his  oflfice,  in  the  presence  of  the  minister, 
overseer,  and  constable  of  the  parish,  besides  the  oath  of  his  office. 

4.  To  prevent  scandalous  and  ignorant  pretenders  to  the  min- 
istry from  intruding  themselves  as  teachers,  no  minister  shall  be 
permitted  to  officiate  within  the  government  but  such  as  shall  pro- 
duce testimonials  to  the  governor  that  he  hath  received  ordination  . 
either  from  some  Protestant  bishop  or  minister,  within  some  part 
of  his  Majesty's  dominions,  or  the  dominions  of  any  foreign  prince 
of  the  Reformed  religion ;  upon  which  testimony  the  governor  shall 
induce  the  said  minister  into  the  parish  that  shall  make  presenta- 
tion of  him  as  duly  elected  by  the  major  part  of  the  inhabitants 
(being)  householders. 

6.  That  the  minister  of  every  parish  shall  preach  constantly 
every  Sunday,  and  shall  also  pray  for  the  King,  Queen,  Duke  of 
York,  and  the  royal  family.  And  every  person  affronting  or  dis- 
turbing any  congregation  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  on  such  public 
days  of  fast  and  thanksgiving  as  are  appointed  to  be  observed, 
after  the  presentments  thereof  by  the  church-wardens  to  the  ses- 
sions, and  due  conviction  thereof,  shall  be  punished  by  fine  or 
imprisonment,  according  to  the  merit  and  nature  of  the  offense. 
And  every  minister  shall  also  publicly  administer  the  sacrament 
of  the  Lord's  Supper  once  every  year,  at  the  least,  in  his  parish 
church,  not  denying  the  private  benefit  thereof  to  persons  that 
for  want  of  health  shall  require  the  same  in  their  houses,  under 
the  penalty  of  loss  of  preferment,  unless  the  minister  be  restrained 
in  point  of  conscience. 


1665 


572  Ecclesiastical  Records 

6.  ISTo  minister  shall  refuse  the  sacrament  of  baptism  to  the 
children  of  Christian  parents,  when  they  shall  be  tendered,  under 
penalty  of  loss  of  preferment. 

7.  Ministers  are  to  marry  persons  after  legal  publication  or 
sufficient  license. 

8.  Legal  publication  shall  be  so  esteemed,  when  the  persons  so 
to  be  married  are  three  several  days  asked  in  the  church,  or  have 
a  special  license. 

9.  Sundays  are  not  to  be  profaned  by  travelers,  laborers,  or 
vicious  persons. 

10.  That  no  congregations  shall  be  disturbed  in  their  private 
meetings,  in  the  time  of  prayer,  preaching,  or  other  divine  ser- 
vice; nor  shall  any  person  be  molested,  fined,  or  imprisoned,  for 
differing  in  judgment  in  matters  of  religion,  who  professes  Chris- 
tianity. 

11.  'No  person  of  scandalous  or  vicious  life  shall  be  admitted  to 
the  holy  sacrament,  who  hath  not  given  satisfaction  therein  to  the 
minister  '^ 

Public  Charges. 

"  Every  inhabitant  shall  contribute  to  all  charges,  both  in  church 
and  state,  whereof  he  doth  or  may  receive  benefit,  according  to  the 
equal  proportion  of  his  estate  ". 

Church-Wardei^s. 

That  Church-wardens  shall  twice  every  year  (viz.)  on  the  Sec- 
ond day  of  the  Sessions  to  be  held  in  December,  in  open  Sessions, 
deliver  a  true  presentment  in  writing,  of  all  such  misdemeanours 
as  by  their  knowledge  have  been  committed  and  not  punished 
whilst  they  have  been  Church-wardens.  E'amely,  ^^  Swearing, 
prophaness,  Sabbath  breaking.  Drunkenness,  fornication.  Adul- 
tery, and  all  such  abominable  Sinnes ''.  See  Coll.  ^N".  Y.  Hist. 
Soc,  1809.  331-4.  The  entire  Body  of  the  Duke's  Laws  extend 
in  this  Volume  from  page  307  to  396. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  573 

1665 

Eev.  Mathias  ISTevius  in  ISTew  York. 

1665,  Feb.  16th. 

Eev.  Mathias  ^^eviiis,^"  minister  at  Montfoort,  Holland,  was  one 
of  the  witnesses  at  the  baptism  of  Sara  Catrina,  seventh  child  of 
Johannes  ;N"evius  of  Zoellen,  and  Arientje  Bleyck.  This  is  the 
only  reference  to  this  Kev.  Mathias  ISTevius  being  in  America. 
There  is  no  allusion  to  him  in  the  Correspondence.  In  the  General 
Catalogues,  (Album  Studiosorum)  of  the  Universities  of  Utrecht 
and  Leyden,  there  are  the  following  allusions  to  Mathias  Nevius. 
Born,  1628;  entered  University  of  Utrecht,  coming  from  Zoelen, 
1645;  entered  University  of  Leyden,  as  from  Campen,  1648, 
aged  20,  student  of  Law;  in  1649,  matriculates  from  Zoelen,  aged 
21,  as  student  of  Theology;  in  1650,  matriculates  at  Utrecht,  as 
from  Campen.  In  1665,  Eev.  Mathias  ISTevius,  witness  to  a  bap- 
tism, as  above. 

In  1676  another  Mathias  !Revius,  (perhaps  a  son  of  the  above), 
matriculates  at  Leyden,  aged  16,  as  a  student  of  Philosophy. 

The  John  ]N'evius  of  'New  Netherland,  above  alluded  to,  came  to 
America  about  1651.  He  was  from  Zoelen.  He  was  a  schepen, 
1654-6,  City  Clerk  and  Vendue-master  1657-65;  in  1670  he 
leased  the  Long  Island  ferry,  and  died  in  Brooklyn,  1672. 

Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

1665,  May  2  (O.  S.) 

Certificate  as  to  Fidelity  of  Peter  Stuyvesant. 

We,  the  undersigned  Schout,  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  City  of  New 
York  on  the  Island  of  Manathan,  formerly  named  New  Amsterdam,  Certify  and 
Declare,  at  the  request  of  the  Honorable  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  late  Director  General 
of  New  Netherland,  and  who  now,  on  the  change  by  the  English  is  about  to  return 
to  Patria,  that  his  Honor  has,  during  about  eighteen  years'  administration  con- 
ducted and  demeaned  himself  not  (mly  as  a  Director  General,  according  to  the  best 
of  our  knowledge  ought  to  do,  on  all  occurring  circumstances,  for  the  interest  of 
the  West  India  Company,  but  besides  as  an  honest  pi'oprietor  and  patriot  of  this 
Province  and  a  supporter  of  the  Reformed  Religion.     Thus  done  and  executed  in 


*A  genealogy  of  the  Nevius  family  has  just  been  published  by  A.  V.  D.  Honey- 
man,  of  Plainfield,  N.  J.  The  above  Rev.  Mathias  Nevius,  and  John,  probably  his 
brother,  are  perhaps  children  of  Rev.  John  Nevius,  who  died  in  103G.  He  was  from 
1030-6  preacher  at  Weesop,  and  previously  at  Schellinkhout. 


1665 


574  Ecclesiastical  Eecokds 

our  Court  at  this  City  Hall,  ady,  2nd   May,   Old   Style  Anno  1665:   In   New  York 
•ituate  on  Manathans  Island.—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  5.  p.  233. 

The  Director  vs.  The  Preachers,  at  the  Surrender  of  New  Amsterdam. 

Evert  Wlllemsen  Munnlk  declares  that  when  the  aforesaid  frigates  passed  the 
fort,  Director  General  Stuyvesant  acted  as  If  he  would  have  ordered  the  constable 
to  fire  on  them.  But  the  ministers  Megapolensls,  father  and  son,  led  him  aside 
and  persuaded  him  to  depart.  Hoi.  Doc.  xii.,  25,  145;  xiii.,  54,  55,  94.  The 
Directors  in  Holland  subsequently  censured  Stuyvesant  severely  for  his  conduct  ott 
this  occasion.  "  It  Is  an  act  which  can  never  be  justified,  that  a  Director  General 
shall  stand  looking  between  the  gabions  whilst  two  hostile  frigates  pass  the  fort 
and  the  mouths  of  twenty  pieces  of  cannon,  among  which  were  several  demi-car- 
toons,  and  give  no  order  to  prevent  It;  but,  on  the  contrary,  lending  an  ear  to 
preachers  and  other  chicken-hearted  persons,  demeaning  himself  as  if  he  were 
willing  to  fire,  yet  notwithstanding,  allow  himself  to  be  led  In  from  the  bulwark 
between  the  preachers;  and  when  the  frigates  had  sailed  past,  became  so  troubled 
that  he  must  then  first  go  out  to  prevent  their  landing.  The  excuse  that  It  wa» 
resolved  not  to  begin  hostilities  is  very  poor,  for  the  English  had  committed  everj" 
hostile  act." — O'Callaghan's  History  of  New  Netherland,  Vol.  il.  526. 

Court  Minutes  of  Kew  Amstebdam. 

Repairs  of  Graveyard. 

1665,  June  17. 

It  is  further  resolved,  whereas  the  Churchyard  of  this  City  lies  very  open  and 
unfenced,  so  that  the  hogs  root  in  the  same,  to  send  for  the  Churchmasters  for 
which  purpo»e  Govert  Loockermans  Is  sent  for  and  he  appearing,  the  above  written 
Is  stated  to  him,  and  therefore  the  necessity  of  repairing  the  same:  WhereuntO' 
he  answered,  that  could  easily  be  done.  If  there  were  money  In  the  chest,  and  say» 
to  repair  and  bring  the  same  into  proper  condition  full  five  hundred  guilders  will 
be  necessary,  to  realize  which  it  was  concluded,  that  a  collection  be  made.—  Rec- 
ords of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  5.  p.  253. 

Synod  of  ]N'orth  Holland,  at  Hooen. 

^  1665,  Aug.  1  et  seq. 

Art.  15.  Extract  from  a  letter  from  New  Netherland  written  by  Rev.  Samuel 
Drisius,  minister  at  Manhattan. 

It  refers  to  the  transfer  of  the  said  place,  by  agreement,  to  the  English.  He 
intends  to  remain  there  to  prevent  the  scattering  of  the  congregation. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Letters  of  Drisius. 

1665,  Sept.  7tli. 

A  letter  from  Rev.  Drisius  minister  in  'New  ^Netherland  was 
read.  He  told  of  his  desire  to  come  over  to  the  Fatherland,  but 
had  been  so  far  prevented  from  doing  so.  He  requested  the  advice 
of  the  Classis  how  he  must  conduct  himself  in  the  unfortunate 
circumstances  which  had  occurred,  namely,  the  English  conquest, 
(literally,  unpleasantnesses.)      The  Assembly  resolved    that    the 


OF  THE  State  of  !N^ew  York.  575 

Eev.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  should  encourage  (animate)  him 
to  remain  there,  and  to  oppose  the  introduction  of  the  English  Lit- 
urgy into  our  Church,  as  much  as  possible.  They  will  also  write 
to  Kev.  Megapolensis  on  this  latter  point,  vi.  384,  385;  xix. 
117. 

Court  Minutes  of  N^ew  Amsterdam. 

Salary  of  Evert  Pietersen,  schoolmaster. 

1665,  September  19. 

The  petition  of  Mr.  Evert  Pietersen,  Schoolmaster  and  Precentor  of  this  City^ 
being  read  and  considered,  requesting,  that  he  may  have  some  proper  fixed  Salarium, 
as  he  was  heretofore  paid  his  wages  by  the  Honorable  Company  and  has  been  con- 
tinued in  his  employment  from  that  time  to  the  present.  It  Is  apostilled  as  fol- 
loweth:— Whereas  order  shall  be  shortly  made  relative  to  the  salary  of  the  Min- 
isters of  this  City,  under  which  the  Precentorship  also  comes,  proper  order  shall 
then  be  made  herein  likewise.  Ady,  as  above. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol. 
5.  p.  294. 

Abstract  and  Extracts  from  Stuyvesant's  Report  on  the 
Surrender  of  New  IvTetherland,  in  1664  to  the  English. 

1665,  Oct.   19. 

He  refers  to  the  poor  condition  In  which  he  found  New  Netherland  in  1647,  when 
he  assumed  the  government.  With  the  exception  of  the  three  English  villages  of 
Hemstede,  New  Flushing  and  Gravesend,  the  Flatlands  were  so  stripped  of  inhab- 
itants that  there  were  only  fifty  bouweries,  and  the  whole  province  could  muster 
not  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  or  three  hundred  men  able  to  bear  arms: — 
That  New  England  was  constantly  encroaching,  and  their  population  was  fifty 
times  greater  than  the  Dutch;  that  Indian  wars  had  destroyed  or  driven  away 
many  people,  or  caused  them  to  retreat  under  the  dilapidated  walls  of  the  Fort 
In  New  Amsterdam;  that  great  Improvements  had  been  made  during  his  adminis- 
tration, and  far  greater  might  have  taken  place  if  they  had  been  properly  sus- 
tained from  home  with  suitable  re-inforcements;  that  the  New  Englanders  were 
finally  re-Inforced  by  four  Royal  ships,  with  many  troops  and  stores,  and  the 
English  on  Long  Island,  joining  with  them,  surrounded  the  Dutch  and  cut  off  all 
Bupplies;  there  was  but  a  small  supply  of  powder  —  not  more  than  six  hundred 
pounds  fit  for  use;  thus  the  gunner  will  also  testify;  that  they  were  also  short  of 
provisions;  that  they  were  relieved  from  all  fear  of  any  English  fleet  approaching, 
by  the  last  letter  of  the  Directors,  dated  April  21,  1664,  and  received  only  one 
month  before  the  arrival  of  the  English  frigates.  In  which  letter  was  the  following: 

"  On  the  other  hand,  according  to  the  Intelligence  we  receive  from  England,  his 
Royal  Majesty  of  Great  Britain,  being  disposed  to  bring  all  his  kingdoms  under 
one  form  of  government,  both  In  Church  and  State,  hath  taken  care  that  Commis- 
sioners are  ready  at  present  to  repair  to  New  England,  and  there  to  install  the 
Episcopal  government  as  In  Old  England;  wherefore  we  are  In  hopes  that  as  the 
English  at  the  North  have  removed  mostly  from  Old  England  for  the  causes  afore- 
said, they  will  not  henceforth  give  us  so  much  trouble,  but  prefer  to  live  free  under 
us  at  peace  with  their  consciences,  than  to  trouble  themselves  to  get  rid  of  our 
authority  and  then  to  fall  again  under  a  government  from  which  they  had  formerly 
fled  ".     (Compare  Col.  Docs.  II.  432.) 

Under  such  information,  we  continued  to  allow  provisions  to  be  exported;  under 
which  circumstances  the  people  were  unwilling  to  attempt  to  defend  the  place. 
Besides  the  English  villages  had  already  surrendered  to  the  New  Englanders,  1663, 


1665 


1665 


576  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

which  we  could  not  resist,  because  of  an  Indian  war  at  Esopus,  accounts  of  which 
had  already  been  sent  to  Holland  in  Nov.  1G63,  but  to  which  no  answer  had  been 
returned.  In  these  accounts,  it  had  been  said  — "  If  the  Honorable  Company  give 
themselves  so  little  concern  about  the  safety  of  the  country  and  its  inhabitants,  as 
not  to  be  willing  to  send  a  ship  of  war  to  its  succor,  In  such  pressing  necessity,  nor 
even  a  letter  of  advice  as  to  what  we  may  depend  on  and  what  relief  we  have  to 
expect,  we  are  utterly  powerless,  and,  therefore,  not  bound  to  defend  the  city,  to 
imperil  our  lives,  property,  wives  and  children,  without  hope  of  any  re-inforce- 
ment  or  relief  and  to  lose  all  after  two  or  three  days  of  resistance  ". 

He  then  refers  to  the  disrespectful  speeches  he  was  obliged  to  hear,  when  he 
sought  to  encourage  them  to  defend  the  place;  that  some  of  the  (English)  soldiers 
had  been  heard  to  say — "We  now  hope  to  find  an  opportunity  to  pepper  the 
devilish  Chinese,  who  have  made  us  smart  so  much;  we  know  well  where  booty  is 
to  be  got,  and  where  the  young  women  reside  who  wear  chains  of  gold  ".  Many 
similar  warnings  came  from  the  people  of  Long  Island;  and  the  people  of  New 
Amstel  had  suffered  just  these  things  from  the  dissolute  English  soldiery  there; 
they  had  been  "  invaded,  stripped,  utterly  plundered,  and  many  were  sold  as  slaves 
to  Virginia  ". 

To  prevent  such  calamities  and  in  view  of  the  untenableness  of  the  place,  and 
the  warnings  and  supplications  of  the  people,  he  and  Council  were  compelled  to 
come  to  terms  with  the  English;  and  even  if  the  surrender  had  not  taken  place, 
owing  to  the  subsequent  speedy  war  between  Holland  and  England,  we  would  soon 
have  been  overwhelmed  by  the  New  Englanders,  who  outnumbered  us  fifty  to  one. 

P.  Stuyvesant. 
—  CoL  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  365-370. 

Then  follow  a  number  of  documents  in  support  of  his  Report.  Domine  Aegidius 
Luyck's  name  appears  among  these  papers,  showing  that  he  was  then  in  New 
Amsterdam:  370-6. 

The  following  Extract  from  Cornelius  Van  Ruyven's  letter,  refers  to  the  advice 
of  the  ministers  urging  the  surrender: — 

W.  Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Receiver,  Cornelius  van  Ruyven,  addressed 

to  the  Directors  of  the  Incorporated  West  India  Company,   Chamber  at 
Amsterdam,  dated  9th  May,  Anno  1665. 

Your  Honors'  despatch,  dated  28th  November,  1664,  by  the  ship  't  Gecruste  Hart, 
was  received  by  me  on  the  25th  February  last.  Much  could  be  said  on  the  dis- 
satisfaction conceived  by  you  at  the  surrender  of  this  Province,  but  1  shall  only 
briefly  remark,  that  when  you  will  come  to  consider  rightly  all  the  circumstances 
of  the  case  and  the  imperative  necessity  and  difliculties  In  which  your  Honors' 
faithful  Ministers  and  servants  were  placed  in  regard  to  the  vast,  overwhelming 
force  of  the  assailants,  the  refusal  of  assistance  by  all  the  towns  on  Long  Island; 
the  cutting  off  of  all  supplies  of  provisions;  the  scarcity  thereof  within,  and  of 
powder  and  lead;  the  little  Inclination  of  the  inhabitants,  inasmuch  as  they  were 
aware  that  it  was  Impossible  to  keep  the  place,  as  Is  to  be  seen  by  their  petition 
and  protest;  your  Honors  being  aware  and  informed  of  this,  agreeably  to  truth 
and  uprightness,  and  not  according  to  the  perverted  passion  and  appetite  of  those 
who  would  rather  have  seen  all  murdered  and  ruined,  from  which  neither  the 
State  nor  your  Honors  would  have  derived  any  profit,  but  only  a  few  bloodsuckers 
and  spendthrifts  of  their  own  and  their  Masters'  substance,  because  then  they 
would  not  have  to  render  any  account.  I  feel  assured  that  you  will  entertain  an 
entirely  different  opinion  of  your  faithful  Ministers,  the  rather  when  your  Honors 
will  but  once  cast  your  eyes  over  what  has,  long  before  now,  been  so  frequently 
and  seriously  set  before  you  chiefly  on  this  subject  of  the  so  repeatedly  besought 
and  prayed  for  Boundary  settlement  or  re-inforcement  of  ships,  people  and  ammu- 
nition, with  a  frank  declaration  that,  otherwise,  the  country  was  lost,  as  the  sad 
result  has  now  proved  to  the  loss  of  us  all;  namely,  of  such  as  have  engaged  in  the 
improvement  of  your  Honors'  conquest  and  invested  all  their  means  therein,  which 
they  must  surrender  for  want  of  men  and  necessary  means.  This  ought  not  to  be 
imputed  to  the  prejudice  of  your  Honors'  faithful  Ministers,  for  no  man  is  bound 
to  perform  Impossibilities. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  577 

Your  Honors  doubtless  know  what  has  been  effected,  from  time  to  time,  by  your 
Honors'  servants  against  the  Invasions,  usurpations  and  pretensions  of  the  English, 
and  that  we  have  spared  neither  trouble  or  pains,  nor  allowed  ourselves  ever  to 
tire  In  maintaining  your  Honors'  right;  the  same  has  been  the  case  with  your 
Honors'  Ministers;  but  perceiving  the  impossibility  of  making  a  longer  defence, 
they  did  not  consider  it  proper,  nor  did  they  resolve  to  surrender  the  place  until 
they  were  of  necessity  forced  thereto  from  without  and  within,  as  General  Stuy- 
vesant,  to  whom  may  God  the  Lord  grant  a  safe  voyage,  will  be  able  fully  to  demon- 
strate by  sufficient  documents.  This,  I  hope,  will  deserve,  from  your  Honors,  more 
credit  than  the  altogether  too  licentious  prating  of  a  few  dissolute  soldiers  and 
others  who  had  their  eyes  fixed  more  on  robbing  and  plundering  either  stranger  or 
Inhabitants,  than  on  the  defence  of  your  conquest.  Had  your  Honors  been  person- 
ally here  and  seen  no  hope  of  any  relief  or  re-inforcement,  you  would,  without 
doubt,  have  considered  it  better  and  more  Christian-like  to  agree  to  some  Condi- 
tions than  to  be  obliged  to  look  upon  the  ruin  of  the  place,  the  murder  of  the  poor 
people,  women  and  children,  without  being  able  to  do  anything  to  prevent  it. 

I  therefore  request  and  pray  your  Honors  to  consider,  according  to  your  wonted 
wisdom,  the  matter  as  it  is,  and  not  as  represented  by  perverse  information,  that 
your  Honors'  Ministers  may  be  excused  and  relieved  from  the  blame  which  is 
unjustly  attached  to  them. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  11.  377. 

Resolutions  of  the  States  General  Oct.-Dec.  1669,  on  Stuyvesant's  Report. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  11.  378-9. 

Rejoinder  of  the  States  General  to  Sir  George  Downing's  Reply,  respecting  Eng- 
lish Conquest  of  New  Netherland,  with  further  action  of  the  States  General. —  Col. 
Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  379-425. 

See  also  "  Additional  Report  "  1666,  of  Stuyvesant,  429-477.     Appendices,  448. 


Court  Minutes  of  IJsTew  Amsterdam. 

The  City  advances  money  to  repair  Graveyard. 

1665,   Nov.  13. 

The  Churchmasters  of  this  City,  Sieurs  Govert  Loocquermans  and  Joannes  de 
Feister  entering  Court  and  being  asked,  if  there  be  so  much  money  in  the  Church 
Treasury  as  will  fence  the  grave  yard  of  this  City,  answer  no:  and  that  still  many 
small  debts  are  due  here  and  there,  which  they  have  not  been  able  to  pay  as  yet  in 
consequence  of  the  trifling  income. 

The  Mayor  and  Aldermen  resolve  to  advance  from  the  Burghers  excise  of  this 
City  to  the  Churchmasters  as  much  as  shall  be  required  for  the  fencing  oflf  of  the 
graveyard,  on  condition  the  same  be  repaid  from  the  first  incoming  money  —  which 
the  abovenamed  Churchmasters  promise  to  do.  Ady,  as  above. —  Records  of  New 
Amsterdam,  Vol.  5.  p.  313. 


Court  Minutes  of  ISTew  Amsterdam. 

Salary  of  Evert  Pietersen,  Schoolmaster. 

1666,  February  20. 

Mr.  Evert  Pietersen  appearing  In  Court,  requests  that  a  suitable  allowance  be 
granted  to  him,  inasmuch  as  the  W.  Court  had,  on  the  19th  of  7br.  last,  promised 
that  an  order  should  be  made  also  regarding  his  stipend,  whenever  the  preachers 
were  granted  their  salary,  which  has  now  been  done.  The  W.  Court  having  heard 
the  petition  decree  absolutely,  that  he  shall  receive  some  satisfaction  for  his  service. 
But  whereas  the  City  Treasury  is  at  present  so  low,  that  the  daily  expenses  can 
scarcely  be  met,  the  petitioner  Is  requested  to  wait  still  awhile.  Ady,  as  above. — 
Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  5.  p.  340. 

37 


1665 


1666 


578  Ecclesiastical  Records 


Aegidius  Luyck. 

1666,   April. 

No.  2.  I,  Aegidius  Luyck,  undersigned,  late  Principal  of  the  Latin  School  Id 
Amsterdam,  in  New  Netherland,  and  at  present  Theologiae  Studiosus  here,  aged 
about  twenty  five  years,  do  hereby  certify  and  declare  in  witness  of  the  truth,  at 
the  request  of  Mr.  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  late  Director-General  in  New  Netherland 
that  not  alone  from  the  Gunner's  own  mouth  have  I  heard  that  the  gunpowder 
was  short,  bad  and  unfit  for  use  when  the  English  arrived  in  New  Netherland. — 
Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  470. 

A  Letter  Sent  to  Mk.  Smith  of  ]N"esaquake. 


Mr.  Smith:— 


Minister's  Support  at  Seatalcott. 

New  Yorke  3rd  April,  1666. 


I  am  moreover  to  put  you  In  minde  of  your  former  engagement  before  his  Honor, 

to  contribute  to  ye  allowance  of  the  Minister  of  Seatalcott,   untill  you   shall   be 

otherwise  provided,  which  will  be  expected  from  you;  These  particulars  were  given 

mee  in  charge  to  deliver  to  you  from  the  Governor. 

I  am, 

Your  Loving  ffriend, 

M.  NicoUs. 
To  Mr.  Richard  Smith  of  Nesaquake 

on  Long  Island. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  576. 

An  Agreement  made  before  the  Governor,  between  the  OflBcers  of  the  Towne  of 

Seatalcott,  and  Richard  Smith  of  Nesaquake. 


and  likewise  that  hee  pay  towards  ye  maintenance  of  the  Minister  at  Seatalcott, 
during  the  Terme  in  ye  said  Patent  mentioned,  or  until  he  shall  bee  otherwise 
provided ;  

Dated  at  New  Yorke  this  5th  day  of  April  1666.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  576. 

Rent  for  school-house  to  be  paid. 

May  8,  1666. 

Captain  Steynmets  entering  demands  payment  of  a  year's  rent  of  his  house,  hired 
to  the  city  as  a  city  school,  due  on  the  first  of  this  month,  amounting  to  the  sum 
of  two  hundred  and  sixty  florins.  Petitioner  is  requested  to  wait  yet  awhile,  as 
theie  Is  at  present  no  money  In  the  chest. —  Dunshee,  35. 

Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

Election  of  Churchmasters,  New  York. 

June  13,  1666. 

Whereas  the  time  of  the  Church-masters  or  Kirkmeesters,  Is  expired,  and  it  being 
Necessary  that  in  their  Rooms  some  other  fit  persons  should  be  appointed,  the 
honnerable  Court  have  made  choice  of  Mr.  Poulus  Leendersen  Vande  Grift  & 
Jeronimus  Ebblngh  to  be  Kerkmeesters  of  this  Towne  one  whole  yeare  Commenclnge 
from  the  date  hereof  by  these  Presents  Requirlnge  the  Late  Kirkmeesters  to  de- 
liver unto  the  said  persons  all  the  Bookes,  accounts,  &  what  estate  belonging  to  the 
Church  yet  under  their  Custodle.  Ady  ut  supra.—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam, 
Vol.  6.  p.  18. 


'  '  OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  579 

Court  Minutes  of  !N"ew  Amsterdam. 

Aug.   7,  1666. 

Johannes  Van  Brugh,  Pit:  v/s  Thomas  Wandel,  Deft:  The  Pit:  declares  that  the 
deft:  is  Indebted  unto  him  for  the  Rent  of  Domenes  Point,*  according  to  agreement 
made  &  Concluded  uppon  betwixt  Annetie  Bogardus  deceased  &  the  Predecessr.  of 
the  deft:  Wm.  hark  alsoo  deceased  bearinge  date  the  16th  of  March  Anno  1657:  for 
the  space  of  eight  Yeares  Commencinge  from  the  first  of  April  1657  &  expiring  the 
first  of  April  1665  New  Stile,  at  one  hundred  Guilders  in  good  pay  per  annum, 
amounts  the  Summe  of  eight  hundred  florins  in  good  pay,  besides  a  Barne,  which 
the  deft:  was  ingaged  to  build  uppon  the  said  Land  uppon  his  owne  Proper 
Charges  etc. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America.  ! 

1666,  Aug.  16th. 

Rev.  John  Megapolensis  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

(Letter  not  found.     An  abstract  in  Acts  of  Deputies,  below; 
and  in  Minutes  of  Synod  of  N'orth  Holland,  1667,  Art.  12.) 

C.  Van  Ruyven  to  Stuyvesant. 

1666,  Aug.  17. 

I  intended  to  have  communicated  some  news  to  you,  but,  contrary  to  expectation, 
notice  was  sent  round  for  all  passengers  to  go  immediately  on  board.  I  have  men- 
tioned some  intelligence  in  the  letter  to  our  beloved  nephew,  young  Wilmerdoncx. 
I  have  hitherto  had  great  reason  to  be  thankful  to  God  the  Lord  for  our  health  and 
present  condition,  and  it  has  afforded  me  much  pleasure  to  learn  the  same  of  you; 
but  'twould  afford  me  much  greater  satisfaction  to  be  able  to  see  it  personally  or  to 
hear  it  from  your  own  lips,  which  I  eagerly  desire.  Father*  is  old  and  weak; 
preaching  by  turns  in  the  outside  villages  does  not  help  him  much.  Mother  is  also 
sometimes  ailing.  Since  you  left  there  have  died  here,  to  my  knowledge,  Abraham 
Klock,  Hans  Kierstede;  and  Bartel  Mannekin  van  der  Doncx'  widow  will  enter 
again  into  possession  of  Nipperha.  She  claims  also  land  in  Mespadt.  She  likewise 
recently  spoke  to  me  about  some  ironwork  you  caused  to  be  hauled  from  there,  but 
I  know  nothing  about  it.  Many  old  matters  are  ripped  up  and  misinterpreted,  but 
they  are  wisely  disregarded  by  Governor  Nicols,  so  that  a  man  remarked  to  me» 
that  it  was  the  Governor's  policy  to  follow  the  same  course  you  had  observed  In 
the  case  of  Governor  Kieft. 

Wherewith,  after  hearty  greeting  and  wishes  for  good  success,  quick  dispatch  and 
safe  return,  I  shall  recommend  your  Honor  to  God's  gracious  protection  and  remain. 

Sir,  and  kind  friend. 

Your  obliged  servant, 
Manhatans,  7/17  ^Signed)  C.  v.  Ruyven. 

August,  1666. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  473. 

♦  Domine's  Point,  or  Domine's  hook,  took  its  name  from  Domine  Bogardus,  who 
was  its  original  proprietor,  from  whom  it  passed  to  Annetie  Jans,  his  widow.  It 
eventually  was  acquired  by  Union  College,  Schenectady,  and  is  situate  at  the 
entrance  of  Mespat  Kill,  Newtown,  L.  I. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6. 
p.  28. 

•  Van  Ruyven  was  son-in-law  of  Domine  Megapolensis. 


1066 


1666 


680  Ecclesiastical  Eecokds  ■; 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Call  of  the  Kev.  Ilenricus  Selyns  to  Waverveen. 

1666,  Sept.  6th. 

Rer.  ClerquiniiTSj  deputed  by  the  Classis  to  preside  at  the  call- 
ing of  a  minister  in  the  church  at  Waverveen,  made  known,  that, 
after  calling  on  the  name  of  the  Lord,  there  was  chosen  on  Sept. 
5th,  out  of  the  four  nominations,  but  with  good  order,  and  by 
the  united  efforts  of  the  Consistory  and  the  members  of  that 
church,  and  by  a  large  majority  of  the  votes  cast,  as  their  regular 
pastor,  the  Rev.  Henricus  Selyns,  late  minister  in  ^ew  Nether- 
land  ;  also  that  he,  at  the  request  of  the  people  of  Waverveen,  had 
gone  with  them  to  the  house  of  the  Hon.,  the  Bailiff  of  Amstel- 
land,  to  request  his  approval  thereof,  but  that  his  Honor  for  some 
reasons,  raised  an  objection  thereto,  altho  he  did  not  absolutely 
refuse;  he  asked  the  Rev.  Classis,  whether  this  should  be  further 
urged  upon  his  Honor,  and  that  Stante  Classi,  (during  the  present 
session  of  Classis).  The  Assembly  decides  by  all  means,  in  the 
affirmative;  and  that  the  Rev.  Clerquinius,  if  he  pleases,  will, 
furthermore,  put  this  into  effect. 

Hereupon  entered  Peter  Jansz,  elder,  and  Henry  Laurents, 
deacon,  delegates  from  the  Consistory  of  Waverveen.  They  like- 
wise declared  that  the  church  there  had  called  Rev.  Henricus 
Selyns  as  their  minister,  and  requested  that  the  Rev.  Classis  would 
be  pleased  to  approve  the  said  Call,  and  to  make  arrangements 
for  the  installation  of  Rev.  Selyns  in  their  Church.  To  this  end 
they  handed  over  the  written  instrument  of  the  Call,  with  the 
written  approval  of  the  Hon.  Bailiff  of  Amstelland,  secured  by 
Rev.  Clerquinius  and  the  people  of  Waverveen.  Both  of  these 
having  been  read  and  found  to  be  in  proper  form,  (except  that 
something  novel  was  added  to  the  approval  by  the  Hon.  Bailiff), 
the  Classis  also  approved  the  call  of  Rev.  Selyns,  and  then  de- 
cided that  the  same  shall  be  offered  to  Rev.  Henricus  Selyns  by 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  581 

Kev.  Clerquinius  and  the  delegates  from  Waverveen,  and  if  the 
same  be  accepted  by  him,  arrangements  would  be  further  made 
for  his  installation. 

Kesolution  of  Classis  about  the  written  approval  (of  the  Bailiff?). 

Call  of  Kev.  Selyns. 

Classis  also  resolved  that  the  Hon.  Bailiff  be  waited  on  by  Revs. 
Clercquins  and  van  ]!^oordt,  in  regard  to  that  novel  addition  to 
his  written  approval,  and  he  shall  be  earnestly  requested  in  the 
name  of  Classis,  that  his  Hon.  be  pleased  to  erase  and  remove  that 
addendum:  the  brethren  having  conferred  with  his  Hon.,  made 
known  that  his  Hon.  could  not  be  induced  so  to  do,  but  prom- 
ised that  he  neither  wished  nor  would  effect  anything  therewith 
to  the  prejudice  of  church-rights ;  this  having  been  in  turn  re- 
ported to  the  meeting,  the  Classis  decided  that  these  brethren  shall 
again  address  themselves  to  his  Hon.,  and  notify  his  Hon.  that 
the  Classis,  notwithstanding  the  addendum,  nevertheless  regards 
and  accepts  the  same  no  otherwise  than  as  a  simple  approval,  like 
those  given  by  his  Hon.  heretofore.  This  having  been  done  by 
the  brethren,  the  Bailiff  agreed  thereto  (allowed  himself  to  be 
pleased  therewith),  declared  further,  that  he  had  added  this  now 
only  to  clear  himself  of  his  duty  the  better  before  the  Gentlemen 
of  the  Countship  (some  sort  of  local  district)  who  claimed  some 
privileges  in  connection  with  this  church  of  Waverveen  in  particu- 
lar, as  it  had  been  built  at  their  expense ;  but  not  in  the  least  to 
the  prejudice  of  church-rights,  as  he  repeatedly  declared;  yea,  he 
rather  promised  that  he  would  in  every  way  aid  in  defending  the 
same.  Whereupon  he  was  further  humbly  requested  (to  act)  with 
the  Brethren,  with  the  promise  of  their  gratitude.  His  Hon. 
likewise  agreed  thus  to  do. 

Arrangements  for  the  Installation  of  Rev.  Selyns. 

Thereupon  the  call  having  been  offered  to  Rev.  Selyns  and  also 
accepted  by  him,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  it  was  arranged  that  his 


1666 


1666 


582  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

first  presentation  (publishing  of  name  from  pulpit)  be  made  bv 
Rev.  Clincqnane  on  September  12th,  the  second  on  September 
19th,  by  Rev.  Lantsman,  or  if  made  inconvenient,  through  sick- 
ness, bj  the  next  following;  and  the  installation  on  September 
26th,  by  Rev.  Lucas  Yinckins.    vi.  416. 

(Waverveen  is  a  village  in  the  province  of  Utrecht  (though 
the  church  was  in  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam)  not  more  than  7  or  8 
miles  north  west  from  Breukelen,  after  which  the  locality  in  'New 
!N'etherland  was  named.) — Tr. 

Aegidius  Luyck. 

1666,  Sept.  6th. 

Rev.  Aegidius  Luyck,  candidate,  residing  at  Amsterdam,  at 
Cattenburgh,  handed  in  the  certificate  of  his  examination  in  the 
Classis  of  "  Hardewyck  and  !N'ether  Veluwe  "  (Gelderland.)  He 
requests  to  be  received  as  recommended,  by  this  Classis.  The 
certificate  was  read,  and  his  exposition  (sermon)  heard,  and  both 
were  found  satisfactory;  his  request  was  granted  upon  his  com- 
plying with  the  usual  regulations  of  Classis  in  the  premises. 
vi.  417. 

Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam.  , 

1666,  Oct.  9. 

Jacques  Cosseart,  Collector  of  the  monies  promised  by  the  inhabitants  for  the 
support  of  the  Clergy,  appears  in  Court  requesting  that  something  may  be  allowed 
him  for  the  collection  of  said  money.  Ady  as  above. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam, 
Vol.  6.  p.  40. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  Henricus  Selyns. 

1666,  Oct.  11th. 

Stood  within  Rev.  Henricus  Selyns  pastor  of  the  church  at 
Waverveen.  He  had  been  installed  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  that 
people,  on  Sept.  26th,  by  Rev.  Lucas  Yinckius,  and  he  now  asked 
to  be  received  as  a  member  of  the  Classis,  and  that  he  may  also 
be  granted  a  seat  in  the  Assembly.      The  Assembly  cheerfully 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  583 

granted  him  his  request,  upon  his  subscribing  the  ordinary  for- 
mulae of  Concord.  He  was  heartily  welcomed,  and  the  Lord's 
rich  blessing  cordially  invoked  upon  his  person  and  ministry. 
vi.  418. 

(This  implies  considerable  difference  in  church  government  at 
that  time,  owing  to  the  Jus  Patronatus.) 

Letter  from  the  Governor  in  Regard  to  the  Lutherans. 

Gentlemen: — I  have  lately  received  letters  from  the  Duke  Wherein  It  is  per- 
ticularly  signifyed  unto  me  that  his  Royall  Highness  doth  approve  of  ye  Tollera- 
tlon  given  to  ye  Lutheran  Church  in  these  partes  I  doe  therefore  expect  that  you 
live  friendly  and  peaceably  with  those  of  that  profession  giving  them  no  disturbance 
In  ye  exercise  of  their  religion,  as  they  shall  receive  noe  countenance  in  but  on  ye 
contrary  strictly  answer  any  disturbance  they  shall  presume  to  give  unto  any  of 
you  in  your  divine  worship.     So  I  bid  you  farewell  being, 

Your  very  loving  friend. 

Fort  James  in  New  York  this  13th  day  of  October  1666.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv. 
€26.  1  ; 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1666,  Oct.  18th. 
Kev.  John  Rulitius  in  the  Chair. 

A  letter  from  Rev,  John  Megapolensis,  pastor  at  Manhattan  in 
New  !N"etherland,  addressed  to  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and 
dated  August  16,  1666,  was  read,  embracing, 

1.  A  defence  of  his  Rev.  respecting  the  transfer  of  that  place 
to  the  English. 

2.  A  report  of  the  condition  of  his  church,  viz.  that  there  are 
between  three  and  four  hundred  communicants;  and  that  that 
place,  together  with  the  surrounding  villages,  is  served  by  three 
pastors,  viz.,  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  his  son  Samuel  Megapo- 
lensis, and  Rev.  Drisius ;  but  that  their  salary  is  limited  and 
comes  in  slowly. 

3.  A  request  that,  through  the  intercession  of  the  Deputies  of 
the  Rev.  Classis  with  the  Directors,  he  might  obtain  certain  back 
payments  due  to  his  Rev.,  but  which  still  remain  unpaid  by  the 
Hon.  West  India  Company,  xxi.  32:  also  in  Col.  Docs.  IN".  Y. 
xiii.  405.  ' 


1666 


1666 


584  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Eev.  Petrus  Tesschenmaker. 

1666,  Oct.  25th. 

Rev.  Peter  Tesschenmaker,  a  proponent,  (candidate)  residing 
at  the  Hague,  asked,  after  handing  in  a  certificate  of  his  examina- 
tion in  the  Classis  of  "  Rheenen  and  Wyck  ^',  that  he  may  be  re- 
ceived as  "  recommended  "  by  this  Classis ;  but  inasmuch  as  he  has 
with  him  no  church  certificate,  dated  within  the  period  of  one  year, 
which  was  decreed  and  established  as  an  express  law  at  the  Classis 
of  June  7,  last ;  therefore  the  granting  of  his  request  is  postponed 
(suspended)  for  the  present,  until  such  time  and  period  as  this 
resolution  shall  be  complied  with  by  him.    vi.  420. 


Court  Minutes  of  ^ew  Amsterdam. 

1666,  Oct.  30. 

Jacques  Cossaert  requesting  to  know,  from  whom  he  is  to  get  his  commission  of 
four  per  centum  which  was  allowed  him  on  the  9th  inst.  by  the  Mayors  Court  for 
collecting  the  money  for  the  Clergy.  It  is  apostilled  as  foUoweth:  —  The  W:  Court 
order,  that  he  shall  be  paid  his  commission  out  of  the  money  he  has  collected  for 
the  behoof  of  the  Clergy. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  p.  44. 

1666,  Dec.   10th. 
Rev.  James  Heermans  in  the  Chair. 

The  request  of  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  which  was  presented  in 
the  meeting  of  the  XIX,  was  rejected  until  his  Rev.  shall  give 
further  satisfaction  concerning  the  events  at  the  surrender  of  l!^ew 
ISTetherland  to  the  English,  xxi.  36.  Also  in  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
xiii.  405. 

Reply  of  the  West  India  Company  to  the  Answer  of  Gover- 
nor Stuyvesant. 

1666. 


To  the  fourth.  In  justification  whereof  he  produces  a  declaration  from  the  farmers 
dwelling  on  his  own  Bouwery,  he  ought  to  blush  to  let  people  see  by  the  aforesaid 
Declaration  that  the  farmers  on  the  Manhattans,  being  busy  with  the  harvest, 
could  not  attend  to  threshing,  and  therefore  must.  Including  the  Director's  servants, 
be  induced  to  do  such  work  by  prompt  payment,  just  as  if  there  should  have  been 
any  dlflficulty  in  forcing  them  to  It.    Under  all  circumstances,  It  was  not  necessary 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  585 

■to  have  recourse  to  that,  if  it  could  be  of  no  avail,  seeing  that,  after  so  many 
warnings,  the  opportunity  which  existed  previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  frigates,  was 
thrown  away.  And  if  the  English  frightened  the  farmers  with  threats  of  burning, 
he  ought  to  have  constrained  them  by  similar  menaces  to  furnish  him  supplies,  and 
in  case  of  neglect,  at  once  to  have  made  an  example;  unless,  as  is  very  probable, 
the  Director,  some  Councillors  and  Clergymen  being  interested  in  Bouweries  would 
likewise  have  to  suffer  in  return.  This  is  truly  a  matter  that  the  Company  cannot 
think  of  without  pain,  seeing  that  the  Province  evidently  failed  to  be  supplied  or 
defended,  in  order  that  private  farms  should  not  be  destroyed. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
il.  495. 

Thirdly,  he  alleges,  that  the  Fort  was  encompassed  round  about  by  houses. 
Truly  a  poor  reason  and  still  weaker,  that  he  could  not,  on  account  of  the  damage 
to  the  Burghers,  resolve  on  pulling  them  down,  as  the  Company  in  its  Observations 
hath  demonstrated,  ought  to  have  been  done.  For,  here  was  no  longer  any  question 
of  profit  or  loss  to  the  Burghers  who  had  abandoned  the  defence  of  the  City.  The 
defence  of  the  Fort  only  must  be  looked  to,  even  though  all  the  houses  had  to  be 
pulled  down;  for,  the  Fort,  and  consequently  occupation,  once  lost,  the  State  and 
Company  lost  everything.  But  'tis  here  again  to  be  regretted  that  the  Company 
was  served  by  men  who  preferred  to  save  their  own  property,  which  they  had 
gained  in  the  Company's  employ,  than  to  observe  their  oath  and  honor.  The  afore- 
said Director  would  have  easily  enough  resolved  upon  the  pulling  down  of  the 
aforesaid  buildings,  were  it  not  that  Councillors  and  Clergymen  were  desirous  of 
Slaving  their  houses  lying  next  the  Fort;  for,  when  the  question  of  resistance  or 
fighting  was  under  deliberation,  it  was  openly  stated  in  Council,  that,  if  the  people 
«hould  fight,  the  Commonalty  must  have  a  promise  that  the  Company  will  indemnify 
every  one  who  would  suffer  loss  of  house  or  goods;  and  that  none  of  the  Directors 
would  thank  any  man  who  may  lose  an  arm  or  leg.  'Tis  a  matter  of  little  moment 
that  the  Burghers,  when  their  houses  would  be  pulled  down,  should  be  obliged  to 
retire  into  the  Fort,  and  that  their  wives  and  little  ones  could  not  find  shelter  there; 
for  he  ought  to  have  known  that  those  who  could  not  be  accommodated,  ought  to 
have  looked  out  for  a  place  of  safety  and  retired  there,  as  Secretary  and  Councillor 
Van  Ruyven  took  care  to  do  for  his  wife,  whom  he  sent  with  other  women,  not  to 
be  troubled  about  them  as  he  said,  to  the  English,  they  being  friends.  This  appears 
by  the  certificate  (L.  K.)  The  aforesaid  Director-General  ought  to  have  known  that 
he  was  not  a  Militia  Captain,  but  a  servant  of  the  Company  and  Commander  of  its 
Fort,  and  have  followed  the  example  of  many  other  Commandants  who  have,  to 
the  utmost,  defended  for  their  masters  the  strongholds  entrusted  to  them,  even 
though  the  cities  may  be  all  reduced,  and  did  not  suffer  themselves  to  be  moved  by 
the  fiattering  tongues  of  Preachers  and  others  who  were  troubled  about  their 
private  property,  without  regarding  the  interest  of  the  State  and  Company.  The 
last  consideration  on  the  weakness  of  the  aforesaid  Fort,  he  founds  on  the  number 
of  his  enemies.  But,  having  spoken  hereof  in  the  last  of  those  Observations,  the 
Company  will  refer  thereto  and  leave  the  said  Director  to  answer  what  is  contained 
in  the  aforesaid  deposition  (L.  K.),  namely;  that  the  force  before  the  Fort  was  not 
considerable  enough  to  overcome  it;  and  again  only  say,  to  put  him  to  shame,  that 
'tis  not  true  that  they  were  unable  to  resist  the  encroachments  and  incursions  of 
the  New  Englanders  previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  frigates,  but  that  people  (not- 
withstanding iterated  orders)  neither  would  nor  dared  offer  opposition,  all  through 
fear  that  here  or  there  they  might  be  injured  in  their  Bouweries;  the  fact  being, 
by  all  reports,  that  this  entire  mob  of  ill-armed  rebels  was  not  a  hundred  and  fifty 
strong,  and  that  their  leader  was  not  commissioned  by  any  one,  and  consequently, 
if  opposed,  would  not  have  received  assistance  from  any  quarter. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
li.  499,  500. 


1666 


But,  coming  to  the  third:    Is  it  to  be  wondered  at,  that  such  a  poor  defence  was 
made?     For  he,  himself,  admits  that  he  had  neither  ordered  nor  forbad  firing.     In 


586 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1666 


truth,  whether  this  becomes  a  Director-General  or  not,  the  Company  need  not  add 
any  more;  It  only  says,  that  'tis  an  action  that  never  can  be  palliated  in  a  Director 
General,  to  stand  between  the  gabions  looking  at  two  hostile  frigates  passing  the 
Fort  and  the  mouths  of  twenty  pieces  of  Cannon,  several  of  them  demi-cartoons, 
and  not  give  an  order  to  prevent  them,  but,  on  the  contrary,  lend  an  ear  to  Clergy- 
men and  other  craven-hearted  people,  pretending  that  he  was  wishing  to  order  fire, 
yet  will  allow  himself  to  be  led  in  from  the  rampart  between  the  Clergymen,  and 
then  for  the  first  time,  give  himself  any  trouble  after  the  frigates  have  passed, 
when,  for  the  first  time,  he  will  march  forth  to  prevent  a  landing. —  Col.  Docs. 
N.  Y.   ii.   502. 

Court  Mii^^utes  of  ]^ew  Amsterdam. 

Feb.  the  7th  1666/7. 

At  a  Mayors  Court  held  at  New  Tork^  Present  Capt.  Tho.  d'Lauall,  Mayor;  Mr. 
Olof  Stevensen,  Mr.  Jo.  Laurence,  Mr.  Corn.  Steenwyk,  Mr.  Jo.  de  Peyster,  Alder- 
men; Mr.  Allard  Anthony,  Sheriff. 

The  honnerable  Mayor  propoundinge  to  the  Court  that  it  was  the  honnerable 
Governor's  pleasure  that  this  Town  should  maintain  for  one  Yeare  Longer  the 
Ministers  of  this  place,  and  whereas  several  persons  where  departed  from  this  place 
and  others  disinable  to  pay  towards  the  same,  whom  the  Last  Yeare  had 
Subscribed  — 

It  is  Ordered  that  some  of  the  Inhabitants  should  be  sent  for  to  appeare  in  Court 
for  to  trye,  or  they  would  voluntarily  Raise,  the  sums  which  they  promised  the  Late 
yeares  to  pay  towards  the  maintenance  of  the  Minister. 

Names  of  the  Persons  who  for  One  Yeare  Longer  have  Voluntarily  Promised  to 
pay  towards  the  Maintenance  of  One  of  the  Ministers  Videllezit. 


Beavers. 

Abell  Hardelbroeck fl.   8. 

Balthazar  d'Haer,  continues  as 
afore. 

Coenraet  ten  Eyck  12. 

Christoffel  Hooghlant 12. 

Evert  Duyckingh 5. 

Fredrick  Philipsen 24. 

Fredrick  Gysbertsen 12. 

Jacques  Cousseau  continues  at 
two  Bevers  &  profers  two 
Bevers  more  for  them  that  are 
disinabled  to  pay  what  they 
have  promised. 

Mettle  Wessels 8. 

Nicolaes  Meyed  puts  down 24. 

Nicolaes  Backer 8. 


Beavers. 
Francois  Rombouts fl.  10. 


Johannes  de  Peyster 

Cornells  Steenwick 

Jacob  Leysler 

Tho.  Hall 

Tho.  Levis 

Symon  Romeyn  continues. 

Isaack  Bedloo 

Poulus  Leenders  continues. 

Pieter  Alrigs 

Johan  d'Wit  continues. 
Jacob  Hendricx  Varrevanger  .   . . 
Reynier    vander    Coele    till    May 
next  ensuing  one  Bever. 

Warnaer  Wessels 

Wellem  Abransen 


16. 
28. 
12. 
10. 

8. 

12. 

10. 

8. 


12. 

8. 


—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  58,  59. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  587 

1667 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Correspondence  from  America. 
Rev.  Gideon  Schaets  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  • 

May  Y,  (O.  S.),  1667.     , 
To  the  Reverend  Brethren  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Dear  and  Reverend  Brethren : 

Through  changes  made  by  the  English,  our  salary  has  not  only 
been  diminished  by  two  hundred  guilders,  but  they  have  also  for 
some  time  past  taken  charge  of  the  excise,  out  of  which  we  were 
formerly  paid  with  great  regularity;  while  now  the  salary  is  made 
by  collections  from  house  to  house,  in  the  congregation.  But 
the  people  are  mostly  needy  themselves  by  the  failure  of  trade. 
Therefore  my  pay  is  not  only  not  forthcoming,  but  what  is  given, 
is  proffered  in  wampum,  or  grain,  which,  before  I  receive  it,  costs 
twenty  ^ye  guilders,  but  for  which  I  have  to  pay  the  merchants 
thirty  five  and  often  forty  guilders,  in  wampum,  for  five  bushels 
(schepels).  For  a  beaver  I  have  to  give  from  seven  to  eight 
guilders  in  corn;  and  they  never  have  a  beaver  skin  for  the  teacher. 
It  is  also  to  be  feared,  that  permission  will  be  given  for  the 
opening  of  a  trading  house.  This  will  compell  all  the  people  to 
remove,  as  they  are  daily  doing  now.  Therefore  nothing  else 
is  to  be  expected,  tban  a  general  exodus.  However,  I  do  not 
intend  to  leave,  although  I  must  remain  a  penniless  tramp  in 
prison;  for  I  have  not  the  means  to  get  away.  Nevertheless, 
with  the  help  of  God,  it  is  my  hope  to  come  over  to  Patria, 
accompanied  by  my  sons,  who  here  can  only  come  to  grief;  and 
as  for  the  rest  of  my  family,  I  hope  the  Lord  will  grant  us  relief. 
Therefore,  I  humbly  request  the  Rev.  Brethren  to  turn  their  eyes 
in  commiseration  upon  their  unworthy  brother's  condition,  so  that 
if  the  loving  God  permits,  we  may  reach  our  Fatherland  in  good 
health.      I  wish  in  one  way  or  the  other  to  continue  the  service 


1667 


588  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

to  whic'li  the  Lord  has  called  me,  either  at  home  or  in  foreign 
lands,  and  thus  run  my  race,  and  serve  in  some  hamlet  or  other. 
Trusting,  that  the  Reverend  Brethren  will  act  according  to  their 
christian  and  brotherly  inclination,  I  close  herewith,  and  com- 
mend them  all  to  the  care  of  God,  to  bless  them,  individually 

and  collectively  in  their  w^ork;  and  may  it  tend  to  the  honor  of 
his  name,  to  the  growth  of  his  church,  and  of  their  congregations, 
and  to  their  own  salvation.  Amen. 

Your  Reverences  humble  brother  and  co-worker 

in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord, 

Gideon  Schaets. 
Done  at  I^ew  Albany, 

the  7th  of  May  1667, 

old  stvle. 

CouET  Minutes  of  Xew  Amsteedam. 

1667,   June  18. 

Whereas  the  General  has  complained  to  his  Worshipful  Court,  that  many  persons 
fall  to  pay  the  money  promised  by  them  for  the  support  of  the  preachers,  the  fol- 
lowing order  is  sent  to  the  Deacons  by  direction  of  the  Worshipfull  Court: — 

Whereas  divers  complaints  have  been  made  to  us  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of 
this  City  of  Neve  York  regarding  the  non-payment  of  the  promised  and  fixed 
salary  of  the  Ministers  of  this  City,  Therefore  we  do  hereby  order  and  command 
by  and  with  the  advise  of  the  Honorable  Governor,  all  the  inhabitants  of  this  City, 
who  are  In  arrears  to  the  said  Salary,  promptly  to  pay  their  dues  on  this  warning, 
and  the  Deacons  of  this  City  are  requested  to  collect  the  same  from  said  persons 
with  the  Collector  Jacques  Cossaert,  and  to  exert  all  possible  means  to  promote 
the  collection  of  said  arrears.  Ady  as  above: —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol. 
6,  8.  79. 

Synod  of  Noeth  JSolland,  at  Edam. 

1667,  Aug.  8  et  seq. 
Art.  12.     Indian  Affairs. 


Extract  from  a  letter  from  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  minister 
at  Manhattan  in  New  Netherland,  of  date  August  16,  1666. 

1.  There  is  a  defense,  on  his  part,  regarding  the  transfer  of 
that  place  to  the  English. 

2.  An  account  of  the  state  of  that  church:   namely,  that  there 
are   between   three   hundred   and   four   hundred   communicants 


OF  THE  State  of  "Rbw   York.  589 

1667 

therein.      That  this  place  and  the  surrounding  villages  are  now 

served  by  three  ministers,  namely,  Eev.  John  Megapolensis,  his 

son,  and  Eev.  Drisius,  but  that  their  salary  is  meager,  and  comes 

in  slowly.  - 

Art.  53.     Ministerial  Changes  in  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam; 

Died:      Rev.  Casparus  de  Carpentier,  minister  at  Amsterdam. 
Came  in:      Rev.  Henricus  Selyns,  to  Waverveen. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Aegidius  Luyck. 

1667,  Aug.  15th. 

Rev.  Aegidius  Luyck,  a  candidate,  recommended  here,  and  who 
has  heretofore  been  in  New  Netherland  as  Rector,  and  who  now 
thinks  of  going  thither  again,  asks  if  he  may  not  be  allowed  to  be 
qualified  (ordained)  in  that  land,  if  opportunity  offered,  and  be 
advanced  to  the  Sacred  Ministry.  Wliereupon  it  was  resolved 
that  inasmuch  as  the  Government  there  has  been  changed,  and 
that  country  now  belongs  to  the  English,  that  the  Deputati  ad 
causas  communicate  in  regard  to  this  matter  with  the  Messrs. 
Directors  (of  the  West  India  Company)  in  order  to  deliberate 
what  more  may  be  fruitfully  done  by  us  in  behalf  of  the  churches 
in  that  country,    vi.  437. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Guilhelmus  Neiuwenhuysen,  Candidate. 

1667,  Aug.  16th. 

Stood  within  Rev.  Guilhelmus  !N^ieuwenhuysen,  a  candidatu*, 
who  was  received  in  March  last  as  recommandatus  by  the  Rev. 
Classis.  He  now  asks  to  be  advanced  to  the  service  of  the  foreign 
churches.  Thereupon  a  proposition  (sermon)  was  heard  from 
him.  Coram  Classe,  which  gave  much  pleasure,  and  his  request 
was  granted,     vi.  438. 


1667 


590  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

Aegidius  Lujck. 

1667,  Aug.  29th. 

Rev.  Aegidius  Luyck  repeats  his  request,  made  at  the  last 
Classis.  In  regard  to  this  it  was  reported  that  the  Messrs.  Di- 
rectors could  do  nothing  more  in  the  premises.  Wherefore  it 
was  resolved  to  let  this  matter  take  its  course,  and  to  recom- 
mend him  to  keep  himself  in  genere  to  the  regulations  of  the 
church:  and  to  keep  in  correspondence  with  our  !N"etherland 
churches,     vi.  438. 

Colonel  Nicolls  to  the  Reverend  Father  Piekeon. 

♦  Fort  Albany  10/20  October  1667. 

Sir: — 

Having  seen  your  very  agreeable  letter  to  Madame  de  Corlart  of  the  13th  Tber, 
and  also  another  to  Mr.  Hains,  I  feel  very  glad  to  be  here  to  communicate  briefly 
my  sentiments  to  you  thereon;  but  seeing  by  the  commencement  of  yours  to 
Madame  de  Corlart  that  you  have  thoroughly  learned  the  English  language,  I  dare 
no  longer  hazard  my  bad  French  style,  fearing  to  appear  very  ignorant  before  you, 
as  I  am  in  fact  of  your  tongue.  Therefore  it  is,  I  now  beginn  in  plaine  English  to 
let  you  know  that  If  you  please  to  give  me  a  meeting  at  Schonestade  I  shall  be 
glad  to  see  you  and  to  serue  you  in  what  you  seeme  to  desire  towards  youf 
Winters  prouision. 

Wee  have  lately  received  newes  from  Bilboe  fyall  and  other  places  that  the 
peace  is  concluded  between  the  Crownes  of  England  and  France,  although  I  have 
yet  no  expresse  letters  from  his  Majesty  of  England  to  that  purpose;  and  wee  doe 
confidently  beleeue  those  warrs  are  ended  as  also  that  the  French  army  hath  taken 
severall  Townes  in  Flanders  which  news  I  perceiue  you  haue  also  met  Withall. 

Howeuer,  to  a  person  of  your  profession  and  meritt,  I  should  at  any  Time 
willingly  accept  an  Enterview  without  entring  into  discourse  of  Politique  AflCaires. 
Therefore  this  present  letter  is  expressly  sent  in  Place  of  a  Passeport  to  glue  you 
full  assurance  of  your  freedome  to  come  to  Schoneistade  and  to  returne  at  your 
liberty  and  if  you  please^  to  bring  one  more  in  your  Company  upon  the  same  terms 
I  shall  endeavour  to  answer  you  your  desires.  Be  pleased  to  come  with  all  Expedi- 
tion as  I  haue  but  a  little  time  to  spend  in  the  and  you  will  find  mee 

next  Munday  and  till  Tuesday  att  noone  in  Schoneistade  attending  your  answer; 
you  may  easily  and  with  the  most  Expedition  make  the  voyage  in  a  Canoe  down 
the  river;  otherwise  I  would  have  sent  horses  for  your  accomodation.  If  you 
cannot  lay  hold  of  this  present  opportunity  the  Liberty  I  have  now  given  will 
neither  serue  you  nor  mee  to  those  civlll  purposes  whereunto  In  person  I  am  now 
ready  to  comply,  bee  pleased  to  send  mee  your  speedy  answer  by  this  bearer  in 
case  you  are  not  disposed  to  take  so  sudden  a  Voyage. 

I  am  your  very  humble  servant, 

R.  Nlcolls.— Col.   Docs.  N.  Y.   IIL   162. 
A  Monsieur  le  Reverend  Pere  Jean  Pierron 
au  Chasteau  Tionnontogon,* 

solt  donne.  f 

•  Capital  of  the  Mohawk  country. 


OF  THE  State  of  !New  York:.  591 

1668 

Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

t  1667,   Nov.   19. 

Att  a  Mayors  Court  held  att  New  Yorck.  Present  Mr.  O.  Stevensen,  Depty  Mayor; 
Mr.  Jo.   Laurence,  Mr.  Jo.  d'Peyster,  Mr.  Isaaeq  Bedloo,  Aldermen. 

On  this  day  have  the  honnerable  Court  made  Choize  off  the  following  persons 
to  be  Kerckmasters  or  Churchmasters  for  one  whole  Yeare  commencing  from  the 
date  hereof  to  Witt  Mr.  Jeronimus  Ebbing  &  M.  Cornells  Van  Ruyven. 

N.  B.  The  forme  of  the  Election  is  to  be  found  in  date  the  13th  of  June  Anno 
1666.—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  p.  103. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
The  Four  Persons  Selected  for  the  Indian  Churclies  Approved. 

1668,  Jan.  2nd. 

Rev.  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas  report,  that  they  had  presented 
four  persons  selected  for  the  service  of  the  Indian  churches,  to 
the  Messrs.  Directors,  and  had  obtained  their  gracious  approval. 
Thereupon  they  had  called  this  meeting  to  examine  the  two  can- 
didates. Revs.  Rynsdyck  and  Cascarius;  also  that  Ing.  Osdorpius 
having  resigned  from  the  church  of  Curacoa,  that  place  was  now 
vacant,  and  it  would  be  seasonable  to  supply  said  church  with  a 
capable  person.  Thereupon  stood  within,  and  was  heard,  Ing. 
Lucas  Osdorpius  himself,  who  requested  to  be  dismissed  from 
the  church  of  Curacoa,  and  that  he  might  have  a  certificate  given 
him  of  his  peremptory  (final)  examination,  as  well  as  of  his  ordi- 
nation, which  took  place  among  us.  Both  of  these  requests  were 
granted  him. 

Whereupon  then  stood  within  several  candidates  who  offered 
to  go  out  to  the  service  of  Curacoa.  As  first,  Ing.  Wilhelmus 
Nieuwenhuysen,  candidate  at  Haerlem,  and  besides,  Ing.  Phil- 
lippus  Specht,  Rector  at  Culenborgh;  Ing.  Albertus  Struys,  for- 
merly preacher  (chaplain)  to  the  St.  Admiral  Meppel,  from  whom 
he  shows  a  very  laudable  testimonial;  Ing  Theodorus  Stipel,  pro- 
ponent (candidate)  here. 

Besides  these  were  recommended  also,  although  absent:  Ing. 
Rudolphus  Meerlant,   candidate   at  Ysselstein;.  Ing.    Laurentius 


1668 


592  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Hemmeliiigli,  proponent  (candidate)  at  Leyden.  It  was  resolved 
to  reduce  applicants  to  the  number  of  three.  There  then  re- 
mained as  follows:  Ing.  Wilhelmus  Meuwenhuysen,  Ing.  Phil- 
lippus  Specht,  Ing.  Theodorus  Stipel;  of  these  there  was  elected  by 
a  plurality  of  votes,  Ing.  Nieuwenhuysen,  who  shall  be  presented 
to  the  Directors,  immediately,  if  practicable.     vL  444.    xix.  133- 

Court  Minutes  of  jS'ew  Amsterdam. 

Abram  de  la  Noy  petitions  to  be  allowed  to  teach. 

Jan.  11,  1668. 

The  petition  of  Abram  d'La  Noy  being  considered  and  read  in  Court,  requesting 
in  substance,  that  this  W:  Court  will  be  pleased  to  admit  him  as  Schoolmaster 
within  this  City,  and  to  grant  certificate  of  priveiege  thereof.  It  is  apostllled  a» 
follows: — The  petitioner  is  admitted  as  Schoolmaster  within  this  City,  on  condition, 
that  he  submit  himself  to  the  orders  of  this  Court,  already  enacted  or  to  be 
enacted  herein. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  p.  115. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Ing.  Wilhelmus  ITieuwenhuysen. 

1668,  Jan.  30th. 

The  Eev.  Deputies  on  the  churches  in  foreign  lands  report^ 
that  they  had  made  every  endeavor  to  secure  the  approval  of  the 
Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  for  Ing.  Wilhelmus  ^iuew- 
enhuysen,  chosen  by  this  Rev.  Classis  for  the  service  of  the- 
church  of  Curacoa.  He  was,  however,  rejected  by  their  Honors^ 
who  declared  that  in  due  time,  they  would  themselves  look  about 
for  the  proper  material,  and  would  inform  us.  Whereupon,  they 
were  again  earnestly  urged  this  morning,  in  reference  to  the 
matter,  but  they  declared  that  they  persisted  in  their  former  reso- 
lution. From  this  circumstance  much  evil  seems  to  have  been 
done  by  several  candidates,  who,  after  having  offered  their  ser- 
vices to  them,  had  now  been  rejected  by  the  Directors.  On 
account  of  this  the  Deputies  shall  take  them  in  hand,  and  if  found 
guilty,  punish  them  as  the  circumstances  may  require,  and  admon- 
ish them  as  to  the  future.  As  to  the  special  case,  inasmuch  as 
it  seems  impracticable  to   secure  Ing.   Nieuwenhuysen,   it  was 


OF  THE  State  of  'N'ew  York.  593 

resolved  to  abandon  his  promotion,  and  without  delay  to  resume 
the  nomination  of  the  five  persons  made  at  the  last  Classis,  viz. : 
Ing.  Phil.  Specht,  Theodore  Stipel,,  Albertus  Struys,  Kudolphus 
Meerlant,  Laurentius  Bermelingh,  (or  Hemmelingh,)  with  the 
addition  of  Ing.  Petrus  Durant.  These  were  finally  narrowed 
down  to  two,  viz.,  Ing.  Specht  and  Stipel.  Of  these  Ing.  Phil- 
lippus  Specht  was  elected.  He  shall  be  presented,  by  the  Rev. 
Deputies,  at  the  first  opportunity,  to  the  Messrs.  Directors,  and 
their  gracious  approval  be  requested,    vi.  446.    xix.  134. 

Certificate  of  Ex-Dutch  Offcials  as  to  the  Dutch  Loyalty 
OF  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  Aug.  27,  1668. 

As  it  is  our  duty  to  give  testimony  of  the  truth,  especially  when 
requested  so  to  do:  therefore  we,  the  undersigned,  the  late  Direc- 
tor-General, the  Burgomasters  and  Rulers,  attest  and  declare  as 
truth  that  the  Rev.  Domine  Johannes  Megapolensis,  who  has  been 
preacher  here  for  more  than  nineteen  years,  did,  at  the  surrender 
of  this  place  act  no  otherwise,  either  in  word,  counsel  or  deed,  so 
far  as  we  know,  than  it  was  the  duty  of  a  faithful  subject  of  their 
High  Mightinesses,  the  Lords,  the  States-General  and  of  the  privi- 
leged West  India  Company  and  as  was  proper  for  a  godly  and 
pious  preacher  to  act  on  such  an  occasion;  nor  has  anything  else 
ever  come  to  our  knowledge.  In  testimony  whereof  this  has  been 
signed  on  the  Island  of  Manhattan  at  'New  York,  formerly  called 
New  Amsterdam,  this  27th  of  August  1668. 

Oloff  Stevenson  van  Cortlandt.  P.  Stuyvesant. 

P.  L.  van  der  Grift.  Timotheus  Gabry 

Isaack  Grevenraat 

(Endorsed)  INicolaes  de  Meyer. 

Father's  certificate 
concerning  the  invasion  of 

New  Netherland.  ! 

Also  in  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  416.  ! 

38  ■  ^ 


1668 


1668 


504  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1668,  August  2rth. 
Rev.  Luke  Yinckius  in  the  Chair. 

Rev.  Herman  Bloem,  who  was  sent  by  our  Rev.  Classis  as  pastor 
to  Esopus  in  !New  Xetherland  in  the  year  1660,  has  now  returned. 
He  has  given  an  account  of  his  experiences,  and  exhibited  a  lawful 
dismissal,  and  a  good  testimonial.  He  requests  the  assistance  of 
the  Rev.  Brethren  with  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company 
that  he  may  obtain  what  his  Reverence  deems  as  his  just  claim 
for  transportation  and  board.  Whereupon  the  Rev.  Brethren 
resolved  to  send  his  Rev.  to  the  Classis,  that  he  may  there  make 
a  complete  report,  and  present  his  foregoing  request,     xxi.  65. 

Also  in  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiii.  416. 

Rev.  Hermanns  Blom. 

1668,  Sept.  3rd. 

Rev.  Hermanns  Blom,  late  minister  in  !N^ew  !Netherland,  in  the 
village  of  Wiltwyck,  having  handed  in  very  laudable  testimonials 
from  his  respective  churches,  and  having  given  an  account  of  the 
state  of  the  same,  asks  further  the  favor  of  the  Rev,  Brethren 
that  he  may  be  advanced,  at  an  opportune  time,  in  the  home 
church.  The  Rev.  Classis  ha\dng  taken  satisfaction  in  his  testi- 
monial, accedes  to  his  request.  Rev.  Blom  also  asks  that  a  report 
may  be  made  of  his  edifying  ministry  there  (at  Wiltwyck)  to  the 
Hon.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  in  the  hope  that 
something  may  be  granted  him  on  the  arrears  in  his  salary.  The 
Rev.  Classis  accedes  fully  to  his  request,  and  commended  this 
matter  to  the  Deput.  ad  res.  Maritimas.     vi.  463.     xix.  137. 

Court  Minutes  of  ^N^ew  Amsterdam. 

Election  of  Orphan-masters. 

Sept.   4,   1668. 

Att  a  Mayors  Court  held  at  New  York.  Present  Mr.  Cornells  Steenwyke,  Mayor; 
Mr.  Ralph  Whitfield,  Capt.  Matthias  Nicolls,  Mr.  Isaaeq  Bedloo,  Mr.  Francois  Boon, 
Mr.   Christoffel   Hooghlant,  Aldermen;   Capt.   Jno.   Manninge,    Sheriffe, 

On  this  day  received  from  his  Honor  the  Governor  Coll.  Francis  Lovelaice  a 
Warrant,  Directed  to  the  Mayor  for  the  Publishing  of  a  day  of  humiliation  to  be 


OF  THE  State  of  IN^ew  York.  595 

held  in  this  Gitty  on  Tuesday  Next  ensuing  being  the  8th  of  this  Instant  month 
of  September,  and  was  Published  and  fixed  up  at  the  Usual  places. 

Whereas  the  Late  Overzeers  of  Orphans  or  Weesmasters  have  served  out  their 
time  and  it  being  Necessary  that  in  their  roomes  some  other  fit  persons  should 
be  appointed,  We  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  New  Yorcke  have  made  Choize  of 
Mr.  Poulus  Leendersen  Van  de  Grift,  Mr.  Johannes  Van  Brugh  &  Johannes  De 
Peyster  to  be  Weesmasters  for  one  whole  Yeare  Commencing  from  the  dafe  hereof 
&  Expiringe  the  4th  day  of  September  Anno  1669:  And  the  Late  Weesmasters 
are  hereby  required  to  Deliver  up  unto  the  said  persons,  all  the  Estate  of  Orphans 
now  remaining  in  their  Custody;  dated  as  abovesaid. 

On  this  day  this  Worshipfull  Court  made  Choize  of  Mr.  Corn:  Van  Ruyven  8d 
Ffredrick  Philips  to  be  Church-masters  or  Kerkmasters  for  one  whole  Yeare 
Comencing  from  the  date  hereof  etc.  ( 

N  Bene,  the  forme  Was,  the  same  forme  of  ye  Weesmasters  here  above. —  Records 
of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6,  p.  144. 


Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis  to  a  Friend. 

1668,  Sept.  Yth. 
Eeverend  Sir : — 

Shortly  after  the  transfer  of  E'ew  ISTetherland  (to  the  English) 
I  forwarded  some  letters  to  you,  in  which  I  wrote  that  I  then 
hoped  that  things  were  going  to  better  themselves,  generally,  with 
us ;  but  time  has  brought  us  a  different  experience.  I  do  not  think 
it  advisable  to  enter  into  particulars,  as  the  letter  in  crossing  the 
ocean  may  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  be  opened;  for 
they  are  an  inquisitive  people.  Nevertheless  this  much  may  be 
said:  We  have  frequently  hitherto  complained  to  our  rulers  in 
relation  to  our  small  salaries.  They  do  not  reach  more  than  five 
hundred  guilders  at  most,  while  the  expense  of  clothes,  etc.,  is  as 
great  here  as  in  the  Fatherland.  And  even  this  small  amount  is 
irregularly  paid,  not  at  the  appointed  time,  but  little  by  little, 
and  that  in  the  uncurrent  money  of  this  country.  (See  letter  of 
Schaats,  May  7th  1667.)  Hence  much  of  it  is  lost  when  taken 
by  the  merchants,  as  Domine  Blom  has  doubtless  orally  informed 
you.  The  manner  also  in  which  the  above  mentioned  sum  is 
collected  is  unpleasant  and  degrading,  and  altogether  imusual  in 
our  Dutch  nation.  They  go  around  from  house  to  house  to  col- 
lect the  salary,  and  you  may  imagine  the  slights  and  murmurings 
occasioned  thereby  concerning  the  ministry  and  the  ministers. 


1668 


1668 


596  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Moreover  the  first  year  I  was  here,  I  did  not  receive  a  cent  of 
salary.  Abominations  and  scandalous  sins  are  daily  committed 
here,  and  remain  unpunished.  How  an  improvement  of  this  state 
oi  affairs  among  us  is  to  be  secured,  does  not  appear.  I  also 
apprehend  such  modifications  in  the  condition  of  the  church,  as  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  acquiesce  in.  The  labors  of  the  ministry  are 
now  much  more  burdensome  than  they  ever  were  before  under 
the  Dutch  government;  for  there  are  now  five  separate  places  in 
which  we  must  render  services.  Some  of  these  are  as  much  as 
three  (Dutch,  nine  English)  miles  distant.  This  service  must  be 
rendered  in  both  hot  and  cold  weather;  and  the  extremes  are 
much  greater  here  than  in  the  Fatherland.  In  the  fall  and  spring 
the  weather  is  very  changeable  and  stormy.  Hence  we  are  some- 
times in  danger  of  our  life,  and  may  very  easily  meet  with  acci- 
dents, incapacitating  us  for  service.  Under  this  English  govern- 
ment the  case  is  thus:  when  the  labor  ceases,  the  salary  also 
ceases.  In  view  of  these  and  other  circumstances,  I  have  not  the 
resolution  to  continue  here  longer.  It  is  therefore  my  request 
that  you  would  give  me  your  aid  in  obtaining  my  dismission  from 
the  Eev.  Classis.  If  it  be  practicable,  let  it  be  done  without  public 
notice;  for  as  you  know  that  the  English  preachers  (here)  hold 
correspondence  with  the  preachers  in  England,  if  it  should  be- 
come known  here,  it  might  prove  injurious  to  me;  for  I  know  there 
is  a  determination  to  cross  the  path  of  those  who  are  about  to 
remove.  Besides  circumstances  may  so  alter,  that  I  may  change 
my  resolution.  It  is  therefore  my  humble  request,  that  you 
would  effect  this  in  the  manner  indicated.  I  shall  however  be  sat- 
isfied with  your  wise  and  prudent  judgement,  not  doubting  but 
that  you  will  be  diligent  in  procuring  my  letter  of  dismission, 
that  it  may  be  sent  to  you  (me  ?)  by  the  first  ships.  If  necessary 
I  shall  then  be  able  to  make  use  of  it;  and  as  I  came  here  by 
Classical  authority,  I  may  return  by  the  same.  Will  you  be  so 
good  as  to  let  me  know  what  opportunities  offer  in  your  country 
for  a  call  and  settlement.    In  the  promotion  of  this  in  my  behalf, 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  597 

I  am  sure  your  kindness  and  aid  will  not  be  withheld,  as  I  have 
already  had  sufficient  proof  of  this  in  behalf  of  me  and  mine.  I 
have  also  written  on  this  subject  to  F.  Homma.  You  will  under- 
stand whether  it  is  necessary  for  you  to  confer  with  him. 

In  reference  to  the  church,  and  ecclesiastical  matters  generally 
in  this  country,  as  you  may  gather  from  what  is  stated  above, 
little  that  is  good  can  be  said.  If  the  Lord  will,  I  shall  soon  have 
an  opportunity  to  communicate  verbally  with  you.  In  the  mean- 
time I  may  say  that  the  Lord  begins  to  deal  in  judgement  with  his 
people.  He  has  visited  us  with  dysentery,  which  is  even  now  in- 
creasing in  virulence.  Many  have  died  of  it,  and  many  are  lying 
sick.  We  are  also  threatened  by  the  Indians  who  have  already 
an  agent  among  the  English,  in  a  town  just  settled,  and  openly 
threaten  war.  It  appears  as  if  God  were  punishing  this  land 
for  its  sins.  Some  years  (ago)  there  appeared  a  meteor  in  the 
air.  Last  year  we  saw  a  terrible  comet  in  the  west,  a  little  above 
the  horizon,  with  the  tail  upward,  and  hanging  over  this  place. 
It  showed  itself  for  about  eight  days,  and  then  disappeared.  So 
we  fear  God's  judgements,  but  supplicate  his  favor.  Accept  my 
salutations,  while  I  remain, 

Yours  dutifully, 

Samuel  Megapolensis. 

E'ew  York, 

Sept.  7,  1668. 
ADMINISTRATION  OF  GOV.  FRANCIS  LOVELACE. 

Sept.  17,  1668-1673,  Aug.  9. 

An  Answer  to  the  Desires  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Esopus  tendered  to  me  24th  of 

September,  1668. 

1 

2 

3.  For  the  Preachers  Bowry  which  is  at  the  New  Dorpe  it  being  not  within  their 
iymitts  I  conceive  it  concernes  them  not  since  I  am  resolved  to  make  that  a  dis- 
tinct towne  and  to  those  that  shall  settle  there  it  properly  belongs  to  clayme  the 
right  if  any  be  though  since  It  be  forfeited  to  his  Royall  Highnesse  by  an  Escheate 
I  see  no  reason,  why  he  should  be  deprived  of  his  right. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiil.  418. 


1668 


1668 


598  Ecclesiastical  Records  ' 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Blom. 

1668,  Oct.  1st. 

Rev.  Hermanus  Blom,  having  not  yet  presented  himself  to  the 

Deputies  ad  res  Indicas,  his  request  and  business  remain  in  statu. 

vi.  468. 

Letters  from  Drisius. 

1668,  Oct.  1st. 

Rev.  Dep.  Vinkius  handed  in  a  certain  letter  from  Rev.  Dries- 

ius,  touching  the  state  of  the  churches  in  'New  Motherland.     Its 

consideration  is  postponed  to  the  next  Classis,  which  will  be  held 

on  November  5th,  when  Rev.  Jacobus  Clerquius  shall  preside. 

vi.  470.    xix.  138. 

Rev.  Blom. 

1668,  Xov.  5th. 

Rev.  Deputati  on  Indian  affairs,  report  that  they  have  conferred 
with  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company  in  regard  to  the 
arrears  of  his  salary,  and  had  received  from  them  the  reply  that 
they  had  appointed  commissioners  in  his  case,  in  order  to  deal 
with  him  in  accordance  with  right  and  fairness.  The  result  of  this 
must  be  awaited,    vi.  471. 

Letters  from  Drisius. 

1668,  :^rov.  5th. 

Was  read  a  certain  letter  from  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius,  of  New 
York,  of  July  30th,  1668,  relating  the  condition  and  amenities 
of  the  church  and  church  services  there.  This  is  received  simply 
as  information,    vi.  471. 

The  Goveri^oe's  Letter  to  Mr.  James,  Minister  of  East 

Hampton. 

I  received  your  letter  of  the  9th  of  November  by  Frank  ye  Indian  and  am  heartily 
glad  to  see  that  the  same  hand  that  has  Inflamed  your  heart  with  a  desire  of 
aduancing  ye  Gospell  of  Christ  in  the  conversion  of  the  Gentiles  and  bringing  them 
to  the  knowledge  of  his  Law  has  likewise  bestowed  on  you  the  spirit  of  perseuer- 
ance  in  so  glorious  a  work  as  will  undoubtedly  not  only  crown  you  with  comfort 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  5U9 

and  peace  of  mind  here  but  with  eternall  beatitude  and  joy  above  your  fellows 
hereafter  for  If  he  that  saues  a  soule  shall  shine  as  a  stair  in  heaven  what  a 
glorious  lustre  may  that  person  expect  that  shall  saue  nations,  goe  on  therefore 
and  prosper  and  be  assured  there  shall  be  nothing  wanting  In  my  parte  to  aduance 
so  worthy  a  worke  If  you  but  put  me  In  the  way. 

I  very  much  approue  of  your  composure  of  a  catechisme  which  as  it  was  the 
primitive  way  of  Instruction  so  It  Is  most  practicable  at  this  time  for  those  darke 
soules  who  being  not  yet  arlu'd  to  that  degree  which  the  Apostle  speaks  of,  of  being 
but  babes  in  Christ,  are  therefore  to  be  esteemed  but  as  embryos  In  Christianity,  so 
that  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word  Is  euen  too  strong  for  their  infant  digestion.  A 
stimulation  to  vertue  must  therefore  be  the  first  worke  though  it  were  but 
such  as  was  eminent  In  the  ancient  Romans  who  as  the  Apostle  observes 
were  by  Instinct  of  nature  a  Law  unto  themselves  to  check  their  appetite 
to  any  llcentiousnesse  and  Irregularityes,  In  your  catechism  care  would  be  had 
that  the  composure  thereof  be  gentle  and  easy  so  that  reason  may  be  the  hand 
maid  to  Religion,  and  not  to  puzzle  them  with  those  Arcanas  (mysteryes  of  salva- 
tion) which  as  they  will  be  very  difficult  to  instill  them  In  their  myndes  (being  the 
proper  objects  of  faith)  so  the  difficulty  of  their  comprehensions  might  make  them 
weary  and  desire  a  release  of  that  burthen  which  their  myndes  are  not  able  to 
beare  for  nothing  Is  a  greater  heaulnesse  to  It  than  a  desire  to  apprehend  that  which 
the  soule  at  that  time  is  not  able  to  comprehend,  easy  Interrogatoryes  will  there- 
fore be  most  suitable  and  I  would  adulse  you  that  some  proper  chapters  might  be 
recommended  such  as  might  make  them  in  loue  and  desirous  to  proceed  In  the  read- 
ing of  scriptures  but  above  all  be  carefull  that  there  be  good  examples  sett  them 
by  those  whome  they  conuerse  with  lest  that  they  finding  our  practice  is  not  pro- 
porconable  to  our  precepts  might  make  them  haue  a  light  esteeme  of  what  you 
would  desire  to  instruct  them  In.  To  facilitate  your  worke .  in  which  you  desire 
that  certain  dayes  may  be  appointed  that  so  the  Indians  may  the  better  know  when 
and  where  to  attend  you  I  shall  not  determine  that  positiuely  but  leave  It  to  ye 
consideration  of  the  Comrs.  whome  I  haue  appointed  to  take  a  strict  care  to  that 
particular  as  well  as  to  the  regulation  of  other  affaires,  that  shall  happen  betwixt 
them  and  the  Christians,  and  therefore  make  the  best  contrlvement  for  the  present 
till  the  spring  when  (by  God's  permission)  I  will  be  with  you  to  order  and  rectify 
any  convenience  that  shall  appear  to  the  carrying  on  go  charitable  a  work. 

For  the  circumiacent  Colonyes  to  be  contributary  to  the  support,  I  hope  it  will 
not  be  necessary  for  I  doubt  not  by  the  representacon  of  your  pious  inclination 
to  my  Mr.  his  Royall  HIghnesse  but  to  procure  you  ye  exhibition  as  may  both 
support  you  In  that  ministry  and  give  further  externall  Incouragement  to  your 
new  Proselytes.  That  which  I  shall  desire  from  you  at  present  is  the  Catechisme 
with  some  few  select  chapters  and  Laudatory  Psalms  fairly  transcribed  in  the 
Indian  Language  which  I  will  send  over  to  England  and  have  quantltyes  of 
them  printed,  and  if  you  thinke  it  necessary  I  conceive  a  small  book  such  as  shall 
only  serue  to  the  instructing  ye  Indians  to  read  may  likewise  be  compiled  and 
sent  to  them  All  which  so  soone  as  I  shall  receive  from  you  I  shall  speedily 
dispatch  to  England  and  with  the  first  opportunity  you  may  expect  a  returne  of 
them  though  I  am  not  out  of  hopes  ere  long  to  have  a  printer  here  of  my  owne 
hauing  already  sent  to  Boston  for  one  but  whether  I  shall  speed  or  no  I  am 
uncertalne. 

So  soone  as  I  can  be  fumlsh't  with  an  able  Person  to  attend  the  ministry  in  your 
place  I  will  entertaine  him  and  then  totally  free  you  from  your  charge  that  soe 
you  may  attend  that  worke  only  which  God  hath  put  Into  your  heart  to  performe, 
to  the  aduancement  of  which  I  shall  pray  God  to  direct  you. 

I  have  according  to  your  Instruction  made  much  of  flfrank  hauIng  entertained 
him  kindly  at  my  house  duering  his  abode  here,  and  at  his  departure  furnisht 
him  with  a  new  garment  I  look  on  him  according  to  your  obseruation,  as  a  person 
of  a  more  then  ordinary  Capacity  and  therefore  (if  fltt  applications  be  made)  may 
easily  be  drawne  ouer  to  the  great  encouragement  of  his  fellowes,  who  doubt- 
lesse  will  be  much  benefitted  by  examples  of  their  own  stampe. 

Sr.  I  shall  detalne  you  no  longer,  hauing  as  1  conceive  answered  the  most 
materlall  partes  of  your  letter  and  If  anything  be  slipt  my  obseruation  pray 
remynde  me  of  it  by  the  next  Conuenlency. 


1668 


1669 


600  Ecclesiastical  Records 

To  Conclude  I  shall  recommend  you  and  your  endeavours  to  the  allsufficient 
grace  of  the  Almighty  who  hauing  inclined  your  heart  to  will  may  liliewise  estab- 
lish your  mind  to  doe,  and  may  both  tend  to  his  glory  the  building  up  of  the 
Church  of  Christ  here  and  the  endless  comfort  and  saluation  of  yourselfe  and 
those  that  shall  be  committed  to  your  charge  I  remaine, 

Your  affectionate  friend, 

Fran:  Lovelace. 
Fort  Jame8  ye  19th 
of  November  1668. 

Pray  commend  me  kindly  to  all  our  friends  Captain  Younge  and  the  rest  though 
unknowne  to  them.  I  long  very  much  till  the  tyme  afEords  me  an  opportunity  of 
seeing  you.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  610,  611,  612, 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1669,  Jan.  21st. 
Rev.  Luke  Yinckius  in  the  Chair. 

A  long  letter  from  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis,  dated  Sept.  7, 
1668,  at  ITew  York,  was  read  by  the  Chairman.  Therein  he  com- 
plains at  length  of  the  unfavorable  conditions  of  the  church,  and 
of  affairs  in  general  there,  and  seems  to  desire  his  dismissal  (from 
that  field)  by  the  Rev.  Classis,  and  a  summons  (to  return).  It  was 
resolved,  therefore,  to  communicate  said  letter  to  the  first  meeting 
of  the  Classis  which  may  be  held.    xxi.  Yl. 

Feb.  16,  1668-9. 

Evert  Pietersen,  Schoolmaster  and  Precentor  requests  payment 
of  his  earned  salary,  and  further  allowance  for  his  future  services. 

A  CONFIRMACON  FROM  YE  GoVERN"OR  OF  WHAT  PROCEEDINGS  WERE 

Doi^E  IN"  YE  Cause  Betweene  Mr.  Francis  Doughty  of  New 
TowNE  AND  Mr.  Jno.  Hicks,  Captain  Jno.  Underhill  and 
William  Lawrence  Etc. 

Whereas  a  matter  of  difference  betweene  Mr.  Ffrancis  Doughty  of  New  Towne, 
on  the  behalfe  of  Mr.  Ffrancis  Doughty  his  father,  heretofore  Minister  of  Fflush- 
Ing,  and  Mr.  John  Hicks,  Captain  John  Underhill  and  Mr.  William  Lawrence,  for 
themselves  and  ye  rest  of  ye  inhabitants  then  of  that  Towne,  concerning  a  certaine 
salary  or  yearly  allowance  to  be  paid  unto  ye  said  Mr.  Doughty  for  his  paines  In 
ye  Ministry  amongst  them  hath  been  heard  and  debated  at  several  Courts  of 
Assizes,  wherein  Mr.  Doughty's  case  was  found  very  equitable.  And  it  being  made 
appear  to  ye  said  Court  that  ye  sum  of  six  hundred  guilders  good  pay  was  ten- 
dered to  ye  said  Minister  but  that  he  refused  to  accept  thereof  there  being  much 
more  thought  to  be  due  unto  him.  However  at  ye  last  Generall  Court  of  Assizes 
it  being  thought  fltt  and  ordered  that  ye  said  sume  of  six  hundred  guilders  should 


OF  THE  State  of  ITew  York.  601 

be  paid  unto  ye  said  Mr.  Doughty  or  his  assigns  In  full  of  all  demands  but  in 
regard  there  appeared  difficulty  in  ye  levying  thereof,  ye  Court  having  referred 
ye  whole  matter  to  Mr.  James  Hubbard,  Mr.  Richard  Betts,  and  Mr.  Robert  Coe 
as  Commissioners  to  examine  Into  and  give  in  their  report,  to  ye  last  Court  of 
sessions,  how  ye  same  should  be  levyed  and  paid,  which  accordingly  ye  said  Com- 
missioners did  In  wryting,  and  under  their  hands,  and  the  said  Court  (who  were 
Ordered  so  to  determyne  the  cause  as  to  admitt  of  no  further  delay  or  hearing) 
allowed  thereof  onely  suspended  ye  putting  ye  same  in  execucon  until  I  should 
be  acquainted  therewith  Now  after  due  consideration  had  of  ye  p'mlsses  I  do 
hereby  certify  and  declare  that  I  doe  allow  of  and  confirme  what  ye  Comrs.  afore- 
named and  ye  Court  of  Sessions  have  done  in  this  matter;  And  do  likewise  Order 
that  ye  same  be  speedily  put  in  execution  in  ye  same  manner  and  according  to 
ye  Tenor  of  ye  said  Comrs.  Result  and  report,  both  as  to  ye  levying  and  prln- 
elpall  sum  of  six  hundred  guilders  and  ye  charges  occasioned  by  ye  suite.  Unless 
ye  persons  appointed  to  collect  ye  same  shall  agree  amongst  themselves  upon 
some  other  more  speedy  and  easy  way  for  the  collection  thereof  then  by  ye  Comrs. 
is  proposed.  The  charges  are  to  be  stated  by  —  And  all  persons  concerned,  are 
hereby  required  to  forebare  any  further  cavills  or  contests  upon  this  account  as 
they  will  answer  the  contrary  at  their  perils.  Given  under  my  hand  at  Fort  James 
In  New  York  this  27th  day  of  March  1669.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  619,  62v. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1669,  April  lY/27. 

Rev.  John  Megapolensis  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

(There  is  also  an  abstract  of  this  in  Acts  of  Deputies,  xxi.  79; 
and  in  Acts  of  :^orth  Holland  Synod,  1669,  Art.  8.) 

Reverend,  Pious  and  Learned  Fathers  and  Brothers  in  Christ 
Jesus : — 

The  West  India  Company  unjustly  withholds  two  thousand 
florins,  justly  owing  me  for  salary,  and  due  to  me  before  the 
change  of  government  by  the  surrender  of  the  place  to  the  Eng- 
lish. They  falsely  accuse  me  of  treachery,  of  which,  they  say, 
I  was  guilty  at  the  surrender  to  the  English.  But  how  wrongly  I 
was  accused  of  this,  your  Reverences  have  been  able  to  under- 
stand by  the  defense  which  I  sent  you  in  my  reply.  I  doubt  not 
but  that  the  Rev.  Classis  have  done  their  duty  in  my  behalf  with 
the  Hon.  Directors  for  my  vindication,  and  to  obtain  for  me  the 
salary  due ;  but  I  have  not  yet  received  a  distinct  ansAver  from  the 
Rev.  Classis.  I  hope,  however,  that  the  Rev.  Classis  will  continue 
to  look  kindly  upon  me. 


1669 


1669 


602  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Concerning  the  circnmstances   and  condition   of  the   congre- 
gation here,  the  Kev.  Classis  will  learn  everything  clearly  and  in 
detail  from  the  mouth  of  my  son  Samuel.    He  has  been  preacher 
here,  and  knows  them  as  well  as  I  do,  and  therefore  I  did  not  wish 
to  write  more  in  detail  about  them.     On  Sundays  we  have  many 
hearers.     People  crowd  into  the  church,  and  apparently  like  the 
sermon;  but  most  of  the  listeners  are  not  inclined  to  contribute 
to  the  support  and  salary  of  the  preacher.     They  seem  to  desire, 
that  we  should  live  upon  air  and  not  upon  produce.     ^Xe  have 
several  times  spoken  to  our  Governor,  but  he  answers,  that  if  the 
Dutch  will  have  divine  service  their  own  way,  then  let  them  also 
take  care  of  and  support  their  own  preachers,  and  thus  nothing 
is  done  for  our  salary.    Time  must  show  how  this  will  end.    There- 
fore my  son  Samuel  has  given  warning  to  the  congregation  here, 
that  he  will  give  up  serving  them  and  take  his  leave.     He  has 
determined  to  sail  from  here  to  the  Fatherland,  in  order  to  obtain 
a  better    position  there.      I    have  no  donbt  but  that  the    Rev. 
Classis  will  kindly  assist  him,  and  that  when  occasion  offers  he 
will  again  be  employed  in  the  service  of  the  Church.     Domine 
Drisius  and  I  are  old  men,  of  nearly  the  same  age.     Time  must 
show  how  it  will  turn  out  with  us;  meanwhile  we  shall  do  our 
duty  and  attend  to  our  service.    I  trust  that  God,  who  has  hitherto 
taken  care  of  me  from  my  youth,  when  I  relinquished  Popery, 
and  was  thrust  out  at  once  from  my  inherited  estate,  mil  also 
henceforth  take  care  of  me  during  the  short  remainder  of  my 
life.     I  am  now  sixty  Rve  years  old  and  have  been  a  preacher 
about  forty  years.     Of  this  time  I  have  been  twenty  seven  years 
here,  and  the  remainder  in  ^orth  Holland.     But  a  thought  often 
occurs  to  me,  and  troubles  me.     It  is.  What  will  become  of  the 
congregation  here,  when  I  and  Domine  Drisius  are  dead.     Since 
they  care  so  little  for  a  decent  support  of  their  preacher,  I  can- 
not see  how  they  will  procure  another. 

There  is  still  another  difficulty.  The  Lutherans  here  have 
obtained  a  preacher  from  Amsterdam  and  received  him  with  great 
kindness.     When  we  are  dead,  I  fear  there  will  be  great  con- 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  603 

1669 

fusion  and  scattering  among  our  people  at  this  place.     Yet  God 

can  turn  everything  to  the  best,  and  give  us  a  good  deliverance. 

Closing  I  commend  your  Keverences  to  the  strength  of  the  All 

High. 

Your  obedient  brother  in  Christ, 

Johannes  Megapolensis,  Eccl. 

'New  York  in  America, 

Island  of  Manhattans, 

lY/27  April  1669. 

[Another  translation.  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  xiii.  423-4.] 

ISTew  Xetherland. 

1669,  July  1st. 

Rev.  Henricus  Selyns  makes  known  that  there  has  been  sent 
him  a  certain  complaint  from  the  church  of  New  ISTetherland, 
written  by  Rev.  Driesius,  in  which  he  asks  advice  from  this  Clas- 
sis.  It  is  of  this  purport;  that  a  certain  person  there,  having 
slept  \nth,  and  afterwards  married,  his  (deceased)  wife's  half 
sister,  it  is  asked  if  that  marriage  is  held  to  be  lawful;  and  if 
not,  whether  that  person  may  be  admitted  to  the  communion. 
Inasmuch  as  the  condition  of  that  country  is  changed,  not  being 
under  the  same  (political)  constitution,  as  formerly,  the  Assem- 
bly excuses  it  self  from  replying  to  this  question,  nomine  Classis; 
but  will  be  glad  if  Rev.  Selyns  would  write  in  ansAver  thereto, 
as  a  private  individual,     vi.  488. 

Rev.  Megapolensis. 

1669,  July  1st. 

Stood  within  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis,  late  minister  in  New 
N'etherland.  He  handed  in  his  dismissal,  and  a  church  certificate 
of  his  deportment  there,  with  the  request  that  this  Assembly  would 
please  to  aid  him  with  the  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company 
that  he  may  receive  his  salary.  He  tells  at  the  same  time  of  the 
deplorable  state  of  the  church  there,  in  that  no  arrangements  are 
made  for  the  payment  of  the  salary  of  the  ministers  of  God's 


1669 


604  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Word.  He  also  requests  of  this  Rev.  Classis  that  he  may  be  recom- 
mended to  the  churches  in  the  country  here  in  preference  to  others. 
He  hands  in  also  a  letter  from  his  father,  Rev.  John  Megapolensis, 
still  minister  there,  who  also  complains  that  his  salary  is  getting 
in  arrears,  with  a  dissertation  on  the  difficulties  which  he  appre- 
hends for  the  church  there.  Regarding  the  first  request,  the  As- 
sembly grants  permission  to  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis  to  request 
the  Rev.  Brethren,  Committee  ad  causas  Indicas,  to  aid  him  with 
the  Directors  in  such  a  way  as  they  shall  deem  prudent.  As  to 
the  second  request  the  Assembly  receives  him,  like  all  others  recom- 
mended, and  will  remember  him  data  occasione.     vi  488,  489. 

xix.  139. 

Nicholas  Gouverneur. 

1669,  July  1st. 

!N'icholas  Gouverneur,  son-in-law  of  Rev.  Dreisius,  minister  in 
New  Netherland,  states  in  the  name  of  his  father-in-law,  that  the 
Honorable  Company  is  far  behind  in  their  payments  to  him ;  that 
he  has  frequently  made  appeals  to  the  Directors,  and  now  requests 
the  assistance  of  this  Assembly  in  the  matter.  This,  like  the 
proceeding,  is  commended  to  the  Deputati  ad  causas  Indicas.    vi. 

489.    xix.  140. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1669,  July  3rd. 
Rev.  Laurentius  in  the  Chair. 

Touching  the  salaries  of  the  Revs.  Megapolensis,  father  and 
son,  and  Rev.  Drisius,  to  which  reference  is  made  in  the  minutes 
of  the  regular  meeting  of  the  Classis,  July  1,  1669,  (See  Acta 
Classis  Ordinariae,)  it  was  resolved,  on  account  of  the  reiterated 
requests  concerning  said  salaries,  to  speak  privately  to  some  of  the 
Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  to  discover  how  the  matter 
now  stands  with  their  Honors.  Further  action  can  then  be  taken 
after  inquiry  into  this  business.  The  Committee  appointed  for 
this  purpose  are  Revs.  Chairman  Laurentius,  and  Woodward, 
(pastor  of  the  English-speaking  Presbyterian  Church  in  Amster- 
dam.)   xxi.  76. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  605 

Rev.  Drisius. 

1669,  July  29tli. 

It  was  reported  by  Eev.  Depiitati  ad  causas  Indicas,  that  Rev. 
Drisius,  of  whom  mention  was  made  in  previous  acta,  has  obtained 
a  complete  settlement  and  order  for  payment  from  the  West  India 
Company.  This  is  noted  down  pro  memoria,  and  Rev.  Deputati 
are  thanked  for  the  trouble  they  have  taken,    vi.  493.    xix.  141. 

Rev.  Schaats. 

1669,  July  29th. 

There  was  read  a  letter  from  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats,  minister  at 
Eort  Orange  (Albany)  in  ISTew  Netherland.  In  this  he  declares 
that  inasmuch  as  in  that  place,  he  no  longer  receives  any  salary, 
since  the  transfer  of  the  country  to  the  English,  he  has  no  means 
of  subsistence.  He  is  therefore  inclined  to  come  over  to  this 
country,  and  requests  in  that  case,  the  favor  of  this  Rev.  Classis 
for  his  advancement.  The  Assembly  will  refrain  from  action 
until  he  shall  have  come  over,  and  will  then  act  as  circumstances 
may  require,     vi.  493;  xix.  141. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

Salary  of  Rev.  Drisius. 

1669,  Aug.   5th. 

As  to  the  salary  of  Rev.  Drisius:  the  same  has  been  settled  by 
the  Messrs.  Directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  his  son-in-law,  Gouverneur.    xxi.  80. 

Synod  of  N^okth  Holland,  at  Haarlem. 

1669,  Aug.  6  et  seq. 
Art.  8.     Indian  Affairs. 

On  the  occasion  of  the  reading  of  the  9th  Article,  treating  of 
the  state  of  the  Indian  churches  and  other  churches  beyond  the 
seas,  the  Rev.  Brethren  of  the  Classes  of  Amsterdam,  Hoorn  and 
Enckhuysen  handed  over  and  read  extracts  from  letters  from  India 


1669 


606  Ecclesiastical  Records 

1660 

and  'New  Netherland ;  and  the  list  of  the  ministers  and  visitors 

of  the  sick  who  had  been  sent  abroad. 


Extract  from  a  letter  from  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  dated  15/25 
April,  1669,  at  New  York  on  the  Island  of  Manhattan,  in 
America. 

1.  He  complains  once  more  that  his  salary  is  so  far  in  arrears ; 
with  the  request  that  the  Classis  would  please  lend  him  a  helping 
hand  in  procuring  the  same  from  the  Messrs.  Directors  of  the 
West  India  Company. 

2.  He  excuses  himself  for  having  contributed  to  any  extent 
towards  the  surrender  of  those  regions  to  the  English. 

3.  Regarding  the  composition  (constitutie)  of  the  church  there 
he  refers  himself  for  the  original  statement  in  the  report  of  his 
son  Samuel  Megapolensis,  who  was  minister  there,  and  has  now 
returned  to  the  Fatherland. 

4.  Meanwhile,  he  states  that  there  was  good  diligence  there 
in  hearing  the  sermons,  but  little  or  no  inclination  to  contribute 
anything  towards  the  support  of  the  preachers. 

5.  He  makes  known,  finally,  that  in  case  of  their  death,  (Mega- 
polensis and  Drisius)  the  church  would  run  great  risk  of  being 
scattered;  especially  because  a  Lutheran  pastor,  (Pharheer, 
pfarrer),  had  arrived  there  from  Amsterdam.  He  had  been  re- 
ceived with  much  enthusiasm  by  the  Lutherans,  who  are  numer- 
ous there ;  but  that  he  and  his  colleague.  Rev.  Drisius,  would  faith- 
fully watch  over  the  Lord's  flock,  so  long  as  the  Chief  Shepherd 
should  be  pleased  to  spare  their  lives. 


Art.  15.     Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis. 

Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis  has  returned  home  from  New  Neth- 
erland.  He  has  exhibited  a  very  praiseworthy  testimonial  from 
the  Consistory  of  New  York,  as  to  his  faithfulness  in  the  minis- 
trations of  the  sacred  office  there  and  in  the  vicinity.     He  has 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  607 

1669 

requested  of  the  Rev.  Synod  to  be  accepted  as  a  "  recommended 
preacher  "  ;  as  also  the  favor  of  the  Rev.  Synod  and  of  the  respect- 
ive Classes,  for  his  advancement  to  the  sacred  office  here.  This 
request  of  his  was  favorably  received  by  all,  and  he  was  also  re- 
ommended  to  the  Rev.  Correspondents. 

Gov.  Lovelace  to  Capt.  John  Carr  and  the  Magistrates  of 

New  Castle, 


I  perceive  ye  Little  Domine*  hath  played  ye  Trumpeter  to  his  disorder    1  refer 
ye  quality  of  his  punishment  to  your  discretions. 

Fort  James,  New  York,  this  i 

15th  day  of  September  1669.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  T.  xii.  465,  466. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

The  Church  of  New  York  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Jan.  24  (29?),  1670. 

(Extract  in  Acts  of  North  Holland  Synod,  1670,  Art.  7;  also 
in  the  Brodhead  volume  (Sage  Lib.)  p.  55.) 

Very  Reverend,  Most  Pious,  Greatly  Learned,  the  Overseers, 
Guardians  and  Shepherds  of  the  flock  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam :  — 

In  order  not  to  trouble  you  too  greatly  amid  the  weighty  duties 
which  occupy  you,  We,  the  undersigned.  Elders  and  Deacons  of 
this  city,  (New  York),  suppliants  to  your  Rev.  Body,  have  written 
more  particularly  to  your  colleagues,  Henricus  Selyns  and  Samuel 
Megapolensis,  with  whom  we  are  well  acquainted,  concerning  the 
present  sad  circumstances  of  the  church  of  God  in  this  place.  We 
feel  it  to  be  the  righteous  judgment  of  God  on  account  of  our  in- 
gratitude and  lack  of  zeal.  One  of  our  ministers,  Domine  John 
Megapolensis,  has  recently  died;  and  the  other  Domine  Drisius, 
is  afflicted  with  a  weakness  of  memory.  Hence  this  young  and 
afflicted  church,  is  now  to  her  great  grief  deprived  of  both  the 

preaching  of  the  word,  and  the  administration  of  the  sacraments. 

. — ___ —  » 

•  Probably  Maglster  Fabriclus. 


1670 


608  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

Our  necessities  and  pressing  duties  lead  us  to  seek  our  refuge,  next 
unto  God,  in  jou.  We  humbly  supplicate  your  accustomed  good 
counsel  and  ready  help,  in  order  that  this  good  church  may  be 
seasonably  provided  with  a  pious,  faithful,  and  learned  minister, 
qualified  not  only  to  edify  the  congregation  by  his  doctrine  and 
life,  but  to  withstand  the  sectaries,  who  are  many,  and  who,  through 
our  unpropitious  circumstances,  have  more  opportunity  for  growth. 
The  Kev.  Henry  Selyns  left  a  deep  impression  among  our  mem- 
bers by  the  faithfulness  of  his  ministry,  the  piety  of  his  life,  his 
peculiar  zeal  in  instructing  and  catechizing,  and  his  kind  and  af- 
fectionate intercourse.  The  congregation  has  therefore  unani- 
mously requested  us  to  inquire  whether  he  could  not,  by  some 
means,  be  persuaded  or  induced  to  come  back,  and  engage  again  in 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  its  related  duties,  in  this  important 
field,  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  souls.  If  Domine 
Selyns  cannot  be  influenced  by  any  motives  to  come  over,  the  con- 
gregation, and  we  in  their  name,  commit  ourselves  to  your  provi- 
dence and  sufficient  knowledge,  to  furnish  this,  our  centrally 
situated  church,  and  the  sooner  the  better  and  happier,  with  an- 
other pious  minister,  well  tried  in  doctrine  and  life.  We  have 
been  already  in  correspondence  with  the  rulers  of  this  city,  for  a 
proper  and  suitable  salary.  Our  success  in  this  effort  has  already 
been  communicated  to  you. 

We  close  with  our  christian  salutations,  commending  you  to 
the  protection  of  the  Most  High.  We  remain,  Rev.  Sirs,  your 
humble  petitioners  and  servants,  the  elders  and  deacons  of  the 
Reformed  Christian  Church  in  'New  York. 

P.  Stuvvesant 
Johannes  Van  Brugh 
Coenradt  Ten  Evck 
Boele  Roelof  se 
Jacob  Teunise  Kay 
Hendrick  Cousturier 
Dated,  Jan.  29,  1669/70  Gerrit  Van  Fricht. 

in  New  York. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  609 

Court  Minutes  of  ISTew  Amsterdam. 

Election  of  Church-masters. 

1670,  Jan.  25. 

Whereas  the  Church-masters  or  Kerkmeesters  of  this  City  have 
served  out  their  time,  and  therefore  requisite  that  the  said  office 
should  be  supplyed  with  summe  other  persons,  the  Worshipful! 
Court  have  thought  fit  to  jNTominate  &  appoint  Alderm:  Mr.  Cor- 
nells Van  Ruy^^en  &  Mr.  Jeronimus  Ebbing  to  be  Church-mas- 
ters or  Kerckmeesters  of  this  Citty  for  the  next  ensuing  yeare, 
unto  whom  the  Late  Church-masters  or  Kerckmeesters  are  re- 
quired to  Deliver  the  Bookes  &  effects  belonging  to  the  Church 
aforesaid. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  215. 

Letter  from  Gov.  Lovelace  to  Capt.  Carr,  Informing  Him 
of  Domine  Fabritius'  Intention  to  Remove  to  Delaware, 
AND  Recommending  Him  to  the  Captain's  Attention. 

The  Governor's  Letter  to  Captain  Carre  concerning  Mr.   Jacobus  B^abrltius. 

Captain  Carre: — 

Upon  ye  Request  of  Magister  Jacobus  Fabritius  pastor  of  ye  Lutheran  Confes- 
sion commonly  called  ye  Augustan  who  by  the  Duke's  Lycence  hath  a  congregation 
here  I  have  graunted  my  passe  to  him  and  his  wife  to  goe  to  New  Castle  or  any 
place  in  Delaware  Ryver.  I  pray  show  him  all  civill  respect  when  he  comes 
amongst  you  and  take  care  he  receives  no  affront  there  and  I  presume  he  will 
comport  himself  with  that  Civility  and  moderation  so  as  to  give  no  just  occasion 
of  offence  to  others. 

I  am, 

Your  very  loving  friend. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  473. 
Fort  James  in  New  York 
this  13th  day  of  April  1670. 

Court  Minutes  of  I^ew  Amsterdam. 

Rent  of  City  School. 

1670,    April   22. 

Read  and  considered  Caspar  Steynmits  petition,  requesting  payment  of  one  hun- 
dred florins  seawant  balance  due  for  rent  of  the  City  School.  It  is  apostilled: 
The  Receiver,  N.  Bayard,  is  ordered  to  pay  petitioner  out  of  the  first  incoming 
monies.—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,   Vol.   6.  221. 


1670 


*>( 


1) 


1670 


610  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Classis  or  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1670,  June  5tli. 
The  Cliurcli  of  Xew  York  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
(Extract  in  Acts  of  Synod,  :N'orth  Holland,  1671,  Art.  12.) 

Rev.,  Most  Learned,  and  Yei-y  Pious  Sirs: — 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  heretofore  sent,  by  way  of 
the  Caribbie  Islands.  We  again  refer  to  the  subject  of  that  let- 
ter, that  by  this  double  appeal,  we  may  perhaps  engage  your  more 
earnest  attention.  Since  the  date  of  that  letter,  our  church  re- 
mains in  the  same  sad  condition.  On  account  of  the  continued 
incapacity  of  Domine  Drisius,  we  remain  destitute  of  preaching 
and  the  regular  administration  of  the  sacraments.  ISTevertheless 
each  Sunday  morning  and  afternoon,  the  usual  prayers  are  offered, 
and  the  Word  of  God  and  a  sermon  are  read  by  the  chorister, 
Evert  Pieterse.  Every  fourteen  days,  there  is  a  sermon  preached 
on  a  week  day  by  Domine  Polhemus,  who  is  now  more  than  seventy 
years  old.  At  that  time  he  also  administers  the  sacrament  of  bap- 
tism to  children.  In  this  may  we  endeavor  to  preserve  the  order 
of  our  church  as  far  as  practicable.  We  hope  that  by  your  speedy 
help,  this  anxious  congregation  may  be  supplied  with  a  suitable 
minister.  Eor  greater  security  of  the  salary,  the  subordinate  of- 
ficers of  the  city  have  obtained  from  the  Governor  an  Act  which 
is  transmitted.  The  bearer  of  this,  Mr.  Gerrit  Van  Fricht,  who 
was  one  of  the  deacons,  but  recently  retired  from  office,  goes  over 
with  the  ship.  He  can  give  you  particular  information  concern- 
ing the  state  of  this  church,  which  we  have  requested  him  to  da. 
We  cordially  commend  him  to  you.  We  have  nothing  more  to 
add,  and  conclude  with  our  hearty  salutation.  We  commend  you 
to  God's  gracious  protection. 

We  remain,  Right  Reverend,  Most  Learned,  and  Very  Pious 
gentlemen, 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  611 

1670 

Your  servants^  the  elders  and  deacons  of  the  Reformed  Christian 

r^^^irch  in  IS^ew  York, 

P.  Stuyvesant, 

Oloff  S.  Van  Cortlandt, 

T.  L.  Van  der  Grist, 

■.  Boele  Roelofse, 

;  Jacob  Teiinisse  Kay, 

Jacob  Leisler. 

ir  ■ 

:  Glassis  of  Amsterdam. 

^'  Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1670,  Aug.  3rd.. 

Chairman,  Rev.  J.  Menwenhuyzen. 
Secretary,  Rev.  Isaac  Le  Maere. 

(At  this  meeting  the  letter  of  January  24th,  1670,  was  read,  and 
extracts  recorded  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Deputies  ad  res  Exteras.) 
xxi.  91. 

Court  Minutes  of  ±^ew  Amsterdam. 

1670,   June   28th. 

"Whereas  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  this  City  Received  a  Petition  from  the 
Elders  and  Deakons  of  the  Dutch  Church,  wherein  they  desire  that  some  Care 
may  be  taken,  for  the  Supply  of  this  place  with  an  able  Orthodox  Minister  of 
which  they  are  at  present  wholly  destitute.  AVhereupon  they  made  their  addresse 
unto  me  by  way  of  Request,  that  for  the  better  encouragement  of  such  a  person 
to  come  out  of  Holland  to  Reside  here  I  would  Vouchsafe  in  the  behalfe  of 
myselfe  &  Successors  the  Gouernors  of  theise  his  Royall  Highnesse  Territories  to 
promise  That  such  Minister  shall  receive  a  Competent  Salary  or  Allowance  fpr 
his  Exercising  the  Ministeriall  function,  They  the  said  Mayor  &  Aldermen  haveing 
engaged  the  Cause  the  said  salary  to  be  raised  or  Levyed  annually  uppon  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  Citty  and  parts  adjacent  within  their  Liberties;  uppon  the 
Request  &  Conditions  aforementioned,  I  do  by  this  I'ablicq  act  manifest  &  declare 
that  whensoever  such  a  Minister  shall  come  over  here  to  this  Citty  and  under- 
take the  charge  aforementioned,  I  sluall  take  Care  that  there  shall  be  duely  and 
Justly  paid  unto  the  said  Minister  or  his  order,  the  Value  of  one  thousand  gilders 
Hollands  monney  each  Yeare,  and  Likewise  that  he  shall  have  the  accomodation 
of  a  convenient  dwelling  howse.  Rent  free.  Together  with  his  Provision  of  fire 
Wood  Gratis.  Given  under  my  Hand,  and  Sealed  with  the  Seale  of  the  Province 
att   ffort   James   in  New   Yorke  this  28th   day   of  June   in   ye  22nd    Yeare   of   his 

Majesties  Raigne  Annoq  Domini  1670. 

(Signed)  Francis  Louelace. 

—  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  240,  241. 


1670 


612  Ecclesiastical  Records 

• 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Letters  from  K'ew  York  in  I^ew  ^N'etherland. 

1670,  July  28th. 

There  was  delivered  to  its  a  letter  from  some  of  the  members 
of  the  German  (Dutch?)  church  at  ^ew  York,  in  E'ew  E'ether- 
landj  requesting,  through  the  care  of  the  Eev.  Classis,  to  be  pro- 
vided with  a  preacher.  Especially  do  they  desire  that  Eev.  Hen- 
ricus  Selyns  might  be  persuaded  to  allow  himself  to  be  employed 
in  the  service  of  the  church  there.  Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Mari- 
timas  are  directed  to  confer  with  Rev.  Henricus  Selyns  about  this, 
and  if  he  does  not  wish  to  accept,  to  look  about  for  some  one  else, 
vi.  511;  xix.  145. 

Sy]S"Od  of  E'orth  Hollan-d,  at  Amsterdam. 

1670,  Aug.  5  et  seq. 

Art.  7.    Indian  Affairs. 
.lE^st  India 

-Extract  from  a  letter  from  'New  Amsterdam,  now  New  York, 
'on  the  island  of  Manhattan,  written  by  the  Elders  and  Deacons  of 
the  church  there,  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  dated  Jan- 
uary 24,  1670. 

1.  It  makes  known  the  distressed  condition  of  the  church  there. 
It  has  been  suddenly  deprived  both  of  the  administration  of  the 
Word  and  of  the  sacraments,  because  one  of  their  regular  pastors, 
Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  has  been  taken  away  from  them  by 
■death;  and  the  other,  (Drisius)  has  been  disabled  from  serving  by 
.a  failure  of  memory. 

2  They  request  aid  and  counsel  from  the  Rev.  Classis,  that  they 
may  be  provided  again  as  soon  as  possible  with  a  capable  preacher. 

3.  And  whereas  the  faithful  seiwice,  piety  of  life  and  singular 
zeal  in  teaching  and  catechising  of  Rev.  Henry  Selyns,  have  left 
very  deep  impressions  in  the  minds  of  the  members  there;  they 
declare  that  it  is  their  unanimous  request,  as  well  as  of  the  church. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  613 

that  the  Rev.  Classis  would  be  pleased,  if  it  be  possible,  to  per- 
suade him  to  come  over  to  them,  and  to  assume  the  sacred  office 
among  them. 

4.  But  in  case  this  cannot  be  effected,  that  then  their  church, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  may  be  provided  with  an- 
other capable  person  and  tried  preacher.  For  the  honorable  and 
proper  salary  of  whom  they  were  negotiating  with  the  magistrates 
of  the  said  city;  and  the  success  of  which  would  be  communicated 
to  us  in  due  time. 

Art.  40.    Ministerial  Changes  in  the  Classis  of  Alkmaer. 

Came  in:  Rev.  Samuel  Megapolensis,  from  New  York:  settled 
at  Wieringerwaerd. 

Art.  41.    Loss  of  the  Synodical  Acts  (of  1618-19.) 

Rev.  Deputati  have  also  handed  to  each  Classis  four  copies  of 
the  Post  Acta  Synodis  Nationalis  Dordracenu,  translated*  into 
Dutch.  For  this  announcement  and  delivery  the  Rev.  Deputies 
are  cordially  thanked. 

[  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

;  Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

1670,  Sept.  10th.. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Church  of  New  York. 

xxvii.  52. 

Worthy,  Highly-Learned,  Prudent  and  Godly  Brethren: — 

Your  letter  dated  New  York,  January  24,  1670,  came  safely 
to  hand.  From  it  we  learned,  not  without  great  sorrow,  of  the 
very  lamentable  condition  of  your  church,  by  the  decease  of  Rev. 
John  Megapolensis,  one  of  your  pastors,  and  the  further  paralys- 
ing of  your  church  by  the  disability  of  the  other,  (Drisius;)  so 
that  you  are  entirely  bereft  of  all  parts  of  divine  service.     This 

*  This  item  seems  to  settle  the  disputed  point  as  to  whether  the  Post  Acta  were 
originally  recorded  in  Latin  or  in  Dutch. 


1670 


1670 


61-1  Ecclesiastical  Records 

condition  involves  a  train  of  various  evils.  Therefore  your 
christian  zeal  is  worthy  of  great  commendation,  in  that  you  have 
determined  to  supply  so  great  a  want,  and  to  obtain  again  the 
customary  comfort  for  your  souls,  by  the  use  of  suitable  means 
to  so  holy  an  end.  Thus  also  will  you  edify  the  church  and  ex- 
tend the  kingdom  of  Christ.  AYe  will  also  gladly  contribute  our 
efforts,  to  aid  you  in  your  purpose. 

In  reference  to  your  special  proposal  that  we  should  obtain 
for  you  Rev.  Henry  Selyns,  we  willingly  acknowledge  that  your 
judgment  has  selected  a  most  able,  godly,  learned  and  zealous  per- 
son; but  having  conferred  with  him,  we  find  but  little  indication 
that  he  will  consent  to  serve  you.  And  although  your  church 
needs  a  person  of  great  ability,  yet  it  is  not  very  likely  that  any 
such  can  be  obtained,  as  long  as  no  definite  salary  is  fixed  by  you 
for  his  compensation.  This  surely  ought  to  be  arranged  first;  and 
we  do  earnestly  hope  that  proper  measures  will  be  taken  with  ref- 
erence to  this.  As  soon  as  you  assure  us  that  this  is  done,  we  will 
use  every  effort  to  have  your  church  supplied  wdth  a  man  of 
ability.  In  the  meantime  we  pray  the  great  God,  that  his  divine 
grace,  may,  in  these  times  of  spiritual  declension,  crown  you  your- 
selves and  the  other  members  of  'your  church  with  a  propor- 
tionately more  abundant  measure  of  his  divine  blessing,  viz.,  faith, 
patience,  zeal  and  godliness.  Commending  you  unto  his  fatherly 
protection,  with  our  hearty  greetings,  we  remain,  Reverend  and 
Godly  Sirs, 

Your  affectionate  Brethren, 

The  Deputies  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
In  the  name  of  all, 

Johannis  Meuwenhuyzen, 

Eccl.   Amstelodamensis   et   Deputatorum   ad.    eccl. 

extraneas,  p.  t.  Praeses. 

Johannis  La  Maire, 

Eccl.  Amstelodam.  eorundem,  et  Deputatorum  p.  t., 

scriba. 

Amsterdam,  Sept.  10,  1670. 


OF  THE  State  of  [N'ew  York.  615 

1670 

Letters  from  ISTew  York. 

1670,  Dec.  1st. 

Kevs.  Depiitati  ad  res  Maritimas  report  that  tliey  had  received 
a  letter  from  the  German  (Dutch?)  Consistory  of  N'ew  York,  in 
which  was  announced  that  thev  had  received  from  the  Governor 
there,  (Lovelace,)  (the  promise  of)  a  yearly  salary  of  one  thou- 
sand guilders,  with  free  dwelling  house,  and  fire  wood,  for  any 
Dutch  minister  who  would  come  from  Holland.  They  therefore 
request  that  this  Eev.  Assembly  would  please  to  try  to  induce 
Hev.  Selyns,  who  has  previously  been  in  New  Netherland,  and 
has  left  behind  him  a  fragrant  name,  to  allow  himself  to  be  em- 
ployed in  the  service  of  the  church  there.  It  was  resolved  that 
Eev.  Deputati  shall  try  to  make  this  matter  palatable  to  E.ev. 
Selyns.  If  they  find  him  disinclined,  that  they  shall  then  make 
inquiry  for  capable  persons  who  may  be  willing  to  be  used  in  the 
service  of  the  church  in  New  York,  and  to  give  notice  thereof  to 
this  Assembly,    vi.  522-623.    xix.  144. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1670,  Dec.  9th. 
President,  Rev.  John  Nieuwenhuyzen. 
Secretary,  Rev.  J.  Le  Maire. 

All  candidates  belonging  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and 
dAvelling  here,  were  summoned,  in  accordance  with  a  resolution, 
of  the  Classis,  in  order  to  present  to  them  the  Act  of  the  Gov- 
ernor (Lovelace)  of  New  York  in  reference  to  the  salary  provided 
for  the  pastor  in  the  Dutch  church  there;  also  to  learn  whether 
any  were  willing  to  accept  of  such  a  charge,  and  if  so,  to  report 
the  same  to  Classis.  Many  appeared,  and  the  Act  of  the  Gov- 
ernor, being  translated,  was  read  to  them.  They  expressed  their 
opinions  thereon,  but  none  of  them  would  listen  to  the  proposal 
for  such  a  service,     xxi.  104. 


1671 


616  Ecclesiastical  Records 

MoNTANus'  Description  of  'N^ew  York. 

1671. 

'^  On  the  Manhattans  Island  stands  !N'ew  Amsterdam,  five  miles- 
fiom  the  ocean:  Ships  mn  up  the  harbor  there  from  the  sea  with 
one  tide.  The  city  hath  an  earthen  fort.  Within  the  fort,  and  on 
the  outermost  bastion  towards  the  river,  stand  a  windmill  and  a 
very  high  staff,  on  which  a  flag  is  hoisted  whenever  any  vessels 
are  seen  in  Godyn's  bay.  The  church  rises  ^\dth  a  double  roof, 
between  which  a  square  tower  looms  aloft.  On  one  side  is  the 
prison,  on  the  other  side  of  the  church  the  Governor's  house. 
Without  the  walls  are  the  houses  mostly  built  by  Amsterdamers. 
On  the  river  side  stand  the  gallows  and  whipping  post.  A  hand- 
some public  tavern  adorns  the  farthest  point.  Between  the  fort 
and  this  tavern  is  a  suitable  row  of  dwelling  houses :  among  which 
stand  out  the  ware-houses  of  the  West  India  Company  ".  Doc» 
Hist.  K  Y.,  iv.  75. 

For  view  of  the  city,  as  above  described,  See  Doc.  Hist.  I^.  Y, 
iv.  76. 

Order  Coi^^cERisriNG  Domixe  Paulinus.     (Polhemius.) 

In  makeing  ye  Countrey  Rates  for  your  Towne,  I  doe  hereby  signifye  unto  you 
that  you  are  to  forebear  ye  taxing  or  leveying  any  sum  upon  any  parte  of  ye  Estate 
of  Domine  Paulinus  [Polhemius]  your  Minister  until!  further  order,  for  ye  doeing 
whereof  this  shall  be  your  warrant,  Given  under  my  hand  at  Fort  James  in  New 
Yorke  this  19th  day  of  January  1670-1. 

Fr.    Lovelace. 

To  ye  Constable  and  Overseers  of  Midwout  also  Flatbush. —  Col,  Does.  N.  Y.  xiv. 
650. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Letters  from  Xew  York.     Eev.  AVilliam  Xieuwenhuysen  is  chosen 

Minister  for  Xew  York,  in  America. 

1671,  March  16th. 

Meantime  Revs.  Deputati  further  reported  that  they,  in  pursu- 
ance of  directions  given  them  by  this  Rev.  Assembly  at  the  pre- 
Tious  session  of  Classis,  had  inquired  among  the  candidates  of  this 


OF  THE  State  of  Kew  York.  617 

1671 

city,  (Amsterdam,)  whether  any  of  them  were  willing  to  let  them- 
selves be  used  in  the  service  of  the  I^etherland  church  at  jSTew 
York,  situated  in  America.  These  all  manifested  a  disinclination 
to  that  service.  They  had  however,  finally  found  Kev.  William 
Nieuwenhuysen,  cand.  S.  S.  Ministry,  who  had  previously  been 
received  among  the  "  recommended "  for  churches  in  foreign 
lands,  disposed  to  officiate  in  the  aforesaid  church.  The  Kev.  As- 
sembly in  addition,  having  understood  from  Paulas  Hendrichsz. 
vander  Grift,  elder,  and  Ernest  van  Trijht  (Trycht,  Tricht?) 
deacon,  in  the  German  (Dutch)  church  of  ^N'ew  York,  their  in- 
clination towards  the  person  of  the  aforesaid  Rev.  William  l^ieuw- 
enhuysen,  did  call  the  said  Rev.  IN'ieuwenhuysen  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  aforesaid  church.  This  call  having  been  accepted  by  him, 
it  was  resolved  to  examine  him  immediately  peremptoir  (for  or- 
dination) together  w^ith  Rev.  Oudewater.  In  this  examination 
they  both  acquitted  themselves  in  their  answ^ers  so  greatly  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  Rev.  Classis,  that  after  previous  resolution,  they 
were  ordained  by  Rev.  Examiner,  Henricus  Selyns,  with  the  lay- 
ing on  of  hands,    vi.  525.    xix.  150-151. 

Court  Minutes  of  N^ew  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  Aegidius  Luyck  Requested  to  Assist  Rev.  Drislus. 

1671,  March  28. 

Whereas  Domlne  Egldius  Luyck  by  reason  of  ye  weaknesse  of  Domine  Samuel 
Driesius  novs'  several  tymes  hath  teached  ye  Word  of  God,  with  good  satisfaction 
to  this  Court  &  ye  Inhabitants  of  this  Citty,  for  which  ye  Court  doe  hereby 
returne  him  thanckes  with  further  desiere  that  he  would  be  pleased  to  Continue 
therein  until  further  order;  which  being  recomended  to  ye  said  Domine  Luyck,  heo 
accepted  thereof  and  promissed  so  to  doe;  Whereuppon  itt  was  this  day  agreed 
uppon  that  from  henceforth  on  Sabbath  dayes  ye  Word  of  God  should  be  teached, 
in  ye  forenoone  by  Domine  Driesius  &  in  ye  afternoone  by  ye  said  Domine  Luyck, 
and  this  Court  doe  further  promise  to  make  him  satisfacktion  for  his  said  service. — 
Records  at  New  Amsterdam,   Vol.  6.  292. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rudolphus  Varick. 

1671,  April  6th. 

Rev.  Rudolphus  a  Yarick,  candidate  for  the  ministry  at  Reenen, 
requested  to  be  received  among  the  "  recommended  "  of  the  Rev. 


1671 


618  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

Classis,  and  especially  for  the  churches  in  foreign  lands.  He 
handed  in  at  the  same  time  his  certificate  of  his  preparatory 
examination.  To  this  some  brethren  also  added  the  good  testi- 
mony of  Rev.  Ciipius,  minister  there,  regarding  him.  He  gave 
proof  of  his  gifts,  and  v:as  therefore  admitted,  after  signing  the 
formulae  —  vi.  527.    xix.  151. 

Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

Arrears  of  Ministers  Salaries, 

1671,  May  16. 

Whereas  Domine  Samuel  Driseius  has  stated  to  us  by  petition,  as  well  for  himself 
as  for  the  widow  of  Domine  Megapolensis  deed.,  that  divers  persons  are  still  in 
arrears  to  the  previous  allowance  of  the  Preachers  of  this  City,  notwithstanding 
this  W.  Court  did  on  the  11th  February  1668/9  order,  that  the  arrears  should  be 
promptly  paid  within  fourteen  days  time  after  date  of  the  aforesaid  Order,  on 
pain  of  execution;  requesting  further  that  such  order  should  be  made  by  this  W: 
Court,  so  that  the  petitioners  may  receive  the  arrears  of  their  allowance:  therefore 
the  W:  Court  decree  and  order,  that  before  the  merits  hereof  shall  be  disposed  of, 
the  Beadle  of  the  Church,  Willem  Verscheuren,  shall  speak  to  all  persons  who  by 
the  list  delivered  in  are  debtors  yet  and  still  reside  here,  on  the  subject  of  their 
arrears,  and  note  down  the  answer  of  each  in  particular  in  the  margin  of  the  list 
and  deliver  it  in  to  Court  on  the  Next  Court  day, —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam^ 
Vol.  6.  300. 


Gov.  Lovelace  to  the  Minister,  Etc.,  of  Soutiiold. 

Gent, —  I  have  been  petitioned  by  this  Bearer,  Mr,  Booth,  who  according  to  his 
Insinuacon  there  alledged  conceives  himselfe  very  much  aggrieved  ii>  that  hard 
and  cruell  Distress  you  have  made  on  his  cattle,  wherein  not  only  himselfe  prov'd 
a  great  sufferer,  but  his  poore  innocent  little  children  deprived  of  their  Dayly 
sustenance  of  Milke;  when  that  extraordinary  Indulgence  was  afforded  you  by  my 
predecessor  of  ye  Exercise  of  your  Religion  after  your  own  manner;  It  was  not 
thereby  Intended  that  such  Severity  should  be  extended  to  those  of  a  different 
perswasion  to  your  discipline;  noe  more  then  you  would  accompt  it  hard  for  any 
of  you  that  lived  under  another  Church,  in  Conformity  to  his  Majesty's  Establisht 
Lawes  should  be  soe  rigorously  dealt  withall  for  your  dissenting  Opinion,  'Tis 
confest  ye  Labourer  is  worthy  of  his  Hire,  but  then  withall  it  must  appeare  hee 
proves  soe  to  mee,  and  not  to  others  only  if  hee  expects  any  wages  from  mee.  The 
Administracon  of  ye  Sacrament  of  Baptism  to  Infants,  and  ye  Lord's  Supper  to 
ye  Children  of  Grace  I  acct.  to  be  ye  essentiall  parts  of  the  Ministeriall  ffunction 
as  well  as  ye  dispensing  of  ye  Word  of  Life;  and  hee  that  with  holds  either  away 
from  mee  cannot  be  properly  a  Labourer  in  ye  Lord's  Vineyard,  but  a  Capricious 
Distributer  and  applyer  of  ye  meanes  putt  into  his  Hands  by  ye  Lord  of  ye  Vine- 
yard as  his  Humor  shall  direct  him,  refreshing  some  Roots  with  water  and  other 
nourishment  and  with  holding  it  altogether  from  others;  How  consonant  this  is  to 
ye  discipline  of  true  Christianity,  Common  Charity  and  ye  Practice  of  ye  Apostles 
(who  would  that  all  Men  might  be  saved).  I  believe  you  better  know,  then  (I  fear) 
practice;  And  therefore  I  would  desire  you  not  to  insist  on  such  rigorous  Courses 


•  The  Rev.  John  Youngs  was  minister  of  Southold  from  1640  to  1672. 


OF  THE  State  of  ^ew  York.  619 

against  those  who  desire  to  live  under  ye  knowne  and  Establisht  Lawes  of  his- 
Majesty's  Dominions  least  I  be  forct  to  represent  to  his  Royal  Highness  ye  great 
Inconveniencyes  that  may  arise  by  it,  and  you  be  Interrupted  in  ye  Exercise  of 
that  Church  ffunction  you  now  soe  peaceably  enjoy.  I  have  noe  more  but  recom- 
mending ye  pr'misses  to  your  Christian  Consideration,  I  remaine. 

Your  Loving  Friend, 


1671 


Francis  Lovelace. 
—  Doc.   Hist.   N.  Y.   iii.   209. 


Forte  James,  New  Yorke  July  10th  1671. 


Court  Minutes  of  ^N^ew  Amsterdam. 

Salary  of  New  Minister. 


1671,  July  11. 


Uppon  his  honnor  ye  Governor's  Letter  of  Recommendation  that  ye  Court  together 
with  some  of  ye  Officers  of  ye  Church  should  take  into  consideration  how  ye  Salary 
for  ye  Expected  Minister  from  Europe  may  be  Raised  ye  Court  thereuppon  have 
thought  fitt  to  appoint  a  private  Court  to  be  held  on  Friday  next  being  ye  14th 
of  this  Instant  in  ye  afternoone  at  —  a  Clocq  and  do  further  desire  ye  Late 
Aldermen  together  with  ye  present  and  ye  Late  Church  Officers  will  give  their 
attendance  at  ye  said  time  to  consult  with  them  Conserning  ye  premises. —  Records 
of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  309. 


Court  Minutes  of  E'ew  Amsterdam. 

Ministers'    Salaries. 


1671,   July  14. 


In  Obedience,  To  his  Honor  ye  Governor's  Letter  and  in  pursuance  of  this  Courts 
Order  thereuppon  this  day,  Appearing  in  Court  ye  former  Magistrates  together  with 
ye  present  &  former  Church  Officers  of  this  Citty,  unto  whom  ye  Worshipfull 
Court  Manifested  ye  Reson  of  this  present  Meeting,  tendring  onely  for  to  advise 
together,  how  the  sallarie,  which  is  promised  towards  ye  Maintenance  of  ye  Ex- 
pected Minister  might  be  raised,  Whereuppon  ye  following  proposalls  where  made 
and  presented  to  this  Court: — 

Imprimis.  That,  whereas  ye  Great  Excyse  in  the  first  beginning  was  Reysed, 
onely  towards  the  Maintenance  of  the  Ministers,  that  therefore  the  Minister  ought 
to  be  paid  out  of  the  said  Excyse  altough  some  advancem  should  be  made 
thereupon. 

2ndly  That  ye  Burger  Excyse  might  be  Raised  soo  Much  as  will  Maintaine  ye 
Ministers  and  Satisfie  other  Necessarie  Charges. 

3rdly  That  the  Costumes  uppon  ye  Importation  of  Rom  and  Wines  might  he 
Raised  from  four  to  five  per  Cento  or  more. 

4thly  That  the  Imposition  might  be  Raised  uppon  Rom  going  up  for  Albany  & 
Esoopus. 

5thly  That  all  Townes  Charges  might  be  Levyed  by  a  General  taxe,  as  itt  is 
practicable  by  ye  Neighboring  Townes,  provided  ye  Excyse  be  taken  off. 

Uppon  which  proposals,  answer  was  made,  that  ye  Sallary  of  the  Ministers  by 
ye  English,  ussually  is  Levyed,  by  a  taxe,  &  that  about  two  years  since,  ye  Minister 
was  paid  by  the  townesmen.  Whereuppon  itt  was  Replyeth  that  in  Case  ye 
Necessity  should  Requiere  a  taxe  Itt  sio^ld  be  much  better  that  a  Levy  be  made 
uppon  any  other  account  as  for  the  Maintenance  of  a  *!!!}'«^*'i'  &  Secondly  that 
ye  Ministers  abowt  two  Yeares  since  were  paid  by  the  townes  Men  was  onely 
occasioned  by  the  tyme  of  Warre,  when  the  Government  was  not  able  to  Maintain 
them  &  therefore  it  was  then  likewise  proposed  to  Continue  but  for  one  or  two, 
yeares,  by  a  volluntarie  Contribution;  finally  upon  Severall  Debates,  Concerning  ye 


1671 


620  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

former  proposals,   Itt  was  mutually  Condiscended  unto  for  to  Returne  for  advise 
viz.  1 

That  itt  would  occasion  a  Great  discontent  amongst  the  people,  to  be  both  taxed 
&  to  pay  Excyse  Wherefore  itt  is  in  general  proposed,  that  ye  Grand  Excyse 
should  be  something  Raised,  &  that  an  imposition  should  be  Laid  uppon  Rom  going 
to  Albany  &  Esopus  and  that  ye  selling  of  Licquors  to  the  Indians  should  be  per- 
mitted as  it  is  throughout  all  the  Government  and  some  Excyse  or  Imposition  should 
be  Raised  thereuppon,  or  otherwyse  that  all  the  Excyses  should  be  totally  abolished; 
and  a  general  taxe  for  all  towne  Charges  be  made. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam, 
Vol.  6.  p.  311. 

SyN'OD    of    !N"oRTH    HoLLAjN^D,    AT    HOOEIS'. 

1671,  Aug.  4  et  seq. 
Art.  12.     Indian  Affairs. 

An  extract  from  a  letter  from  tlie  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the 
Consistory  of  Xew  York,  of  June  5,  1670. 

In  this  they  ask  for  a  preacher.  They  add  that  the  Governor 
had  promised  an  honorable  salary  for  the  preacher  called  there, 
namely,  one  thousand  guilders  Dutch  money,  a  free  dwelling, 
and  free  fire  wood.  They  also  exhibit  the  authentic  Act  of  the 
Governor  thereon 

There  was  sent  off  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.,  the  Eev.  Wil- 
Ham  Xieuwenhuysen  to  ^ew  York,  as  minister;  Rev.  Abram 
Oudewater  to  the  Castle  D'Elmina,  (in  Guinea)  ;  and  Rev.  Thomas 
Menslage  to  Smyrna. 

Order  for  a  ^NTew  Assessment  to  Pay  for  a  Parsonage  in 

Brooklyn.  ^ 


Whereas  Adriaen  Heggeman  being  heretofore  Schout  of  Breuckelen  dureing  ye 
Dutch  Government,  did  together  with  Albert  Cornelyssen  and  other  ye  Schippens 
of  that  Dorpe  by  ye  Consent  of  ye  Governor  then  in  being  cause  a  Rate  to  be  made 
for  ye  raiseing  of  a  certaine  summe  of  money  upon  ye  Inhabitants  there  for  ye 
building  and  Ereeting  a  House  for  ye  Minister  which  accordingly  they  did,  but  did 
not  collect  ye  whole  summe,  many  delaying  or  refuseing  to  pay  ye  same,  and 
although  by  ye  alteration  of  ye  Government  ye  said  Schout  and  Schepens  are 
long  since  dismist  of  their  Employment  yet  are  lyable  to  pay  for  ye  worke 
about  ye  said  House,  and  have  by  ye  Gourt  of  Constable  and  Overseers  been 
Condemned  sc^  to  aoe,  "'iiliough  tliey  have  hoe  power  to  constraine  ye  Persons  in 
"Arreare  to  pay  their  proporcons,  which  although  it  be  for  a  publique  worke,  yet 
without  Reliefe  had  therein  is  like  to  redound  to  their  particular  Losse  and  Detri- 
ment, haveing  taken  ye  pr'misses  into  serious  consideration  I  have  thought  fitt 
by  and  with  ye  advice  of  my  Councell  to  Order  and  appoint  that  ye  Judgement  of 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  621 

ye  Court  of  Constable  and  Overseers  against  ye  said  Adriaen  Heggeman,  and  others 
upon  this  Aceompt  be  made  null,  and  hee  ye  said  Adriaen  .Heggeman,  Albert 
Cornelyssen,  and  those  concerned  with  him  giveing  in  an  Aceompt  to  ye  Constable 
and  Overseers  of  what  they  have  received,  and  what  is  in  Arreare  they  shall  be 
clearly  acquitted  and  discharged  from  any  further  Trouble  hereupon;  And  ye  Con- 
stable and  Overseers  of  Breuckelen  are  and  shall  be  hereby  invested  with  ye  same 
Power  which  heretofore  ye  said  Schout  and  Schepens  had  to  Levy  ye  Summes  of 
Money  in  Arreare,  upon  ye  Persons  or  Estates  assessed  if  to  be  found;  But  if  ye 
Summe  intended  to  be  risen  shall  come  short  (diverse  of  ye  Inhabitants  being  either 
dead  or  removed)  the  said  Constable  and  Overseers  have  power  to  make  a  New 
Rate  for  ye  Remainder  upon  ye  whole  Towne;  And  for  soe  doeing  this  shall  be 
their  warrant.     Given  under  my  Hand  and   Scale  at  Forte  James  in  New  Yorke 

this  10th  day  of  August  1671.  _^ 

Ffran.   Lovelace. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  652,  653. 

Permission  to  Domine  Fabricius  to  Preach  His  Farewell 

Sermon. 

An  answer  to  ye  last  petition  of  ye  Lutheran  Minister  Mr.  Jacobus  Fabricius^ 
wherein  hee  requested  liberty  to  give  his  congregacon  a  Valedictory  Sermon,  and?, 
to  install  the  new  Come  Minister  accordinge  to  ye  Custome  used  by  those  of  their- 
Religion, 

The   Contents   of  this   Peticon   being  very   reasonable,   and   (as   I   am   informed).' 

according  to  ye  Custom  of  ye  Augustine  Confession,  I  doe  very  well  approve  thereof 

and  grant  the  petitioner's  Request.     Given  under  my  hand  at  ffort  James  in  New 

Yorke,  this  11th  day  of  August  1671, 

._^_ Francis  Lovelace. 

—  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  242. 

Court  Minutes  of  Xew  Amsterdam. 

Support  of  a  Poor  Lutheran, 

1671,  Dec.   5. 

The  deakons  of  the  reformed  Church  of  this  Citty  ys.  day  makeing  their  report, 
uppon  the  former  order  sent  to  them  upon  the  Petition  of  Jno.  Fossacre  returned 
for  answer  that  the  said  Fossacre  had  Lived  on  Longe  Island,  Weshester  & 
Onckeway*  about  eighteen  yeares  and  since  the  Lutherish  Domine  preached  here, 
come  to  this  place,  and  he  being  a  Member  of  their  Church,  the  said  deakons 
Judged  that  the  said  Church  ought  to  Maintaine  him.  The  Court  Ordered  that  the 
Deakons  of  the  Lutheren  Church  should  be  sumoned  to  appeare  in  Court  the  next 
Court  day. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  p.  348. 

Court  Minutes  of  ^ew  Amsterdam. 

Each  Church  to  Maintain  its  Own  Poor. 

Att  a  Mayors  Court  held  in  New  Yorke  the  21st  of  December  Anno  1671,  Present 
Capt.  Matthias  Nicolls,  Mayor;  Mr.  Jno.  Laurence,  Mr.  Corn,  v.  Ruyven,  Mr.  Jno. 
V.  Brugh,  Mr.  Is.  Bedloo,  Aldermen;  Mr.  Allard  Anthony,   Sheriff. 

Uppon  Complaint  made  by  the  daekons  of  reformed  Christian  Church  of  this 
Citty,  that  they  are  Charged  with  some  of  the  poore  of  the  Lutheran  profession 
notwithstanding  a  Collection  is  made  for  the  poore  in  the  said  Lutheran  Church; 
as  alsoo  that  the  Deakons  of  the  said  Lutheran  Church  do  not  according  to  Cus- 
tome in  a  Publicq  Meeting  deliver  up  their  accounts  how  they  have  disposed  of 


1671 


•  Fairfield,  Conn. 


G22  Ecclesiastical  Kecokds 

1671 

the  monnoy  soo  collected  as  aforesaid;  "Whereuppon  the  deakons  of  the  said 
Lutheran  Church  being  summoned  &  appearing  in  Court,  and  haveing  heard  their 
answer  thereuppon;  The  ^yorshipfull  Court  ordered  that  each  Church  should  for 
the  future  Maintaine  their  owue  Poore;  and  that  the  Deakons  of  the  said  Lutheran 
Church  should  yearely  deliver  up  their  Accounts  in  a  publicq  Meeting  in  the  same 
Manner  as  in  the  reformed  Christian  Church  of  this  Citty  until  this  day  hath 
bene  practicable. 

Uppon  Complaint  of  the  Deakons  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  It  is  Ordered  that 
they  shall  give  no  more  allowance  to  Jno.  Fossiker,  til  further  oeder.—  Records  of 
New  Amsterdam,   Vol.  6.  pp.  352,  353. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Two  Preacliers  to  East  India. 
1072  1672,  Jan.   5th. 

In  order  to  call  two  ministers  to  the  East  Indies,  there  were 
nominated  in  all,  Kev.  Gualterus  Pereyzinus,  Kev.  Rudolphus 
Yarick,  Rev.  Petrus  Durant,  and  Rev.  Petrus  de  Lange.  From 
these  there  were  chosen  by  majority  of  votes,  Rev.  Gnaltenis 
Pereyzinus,  pastor  at  Ommeren,  in  the  Classis  of  Tiel,  and  Rev. 
Petrus  Durant,  candidate  for  the  S.  S.  Ministry,  at  Sprange. 
These  shall  be  presented  to  the  Directors  by  the  Rev.  Deputies. 
After  obtaining  their  approval  they  shall  appoint  the  time  for 
the  final  examination  of  Rev.  Durant.  He  was  provisionally 
given  the  text,  Acts  17  :23.     vii.  27.     xix.  158. 

LiBEETY  Granted  by  ye  Governor  to  ^Iartin  Hoofman  a  Mem- 
ber OF  ye  Augustine  Confession  to  go  to  Delaware,  to 
Collect  Money  Towards  ye  Erecting  Them  a  Church. 

Whereas  ye  Minister  and  Officers  of  ye  Church  of  the  Augustane  Confession  or 
Lutheran  Congregacon  in  this  City  under  the  protection  of  his  Royal  Highness  ye 
Duke  of  Yorke,  have  requested  my  Lycence  to  build  and  Erect  a  house  for  their 
Church  to  meet  in,  towards  the  which  They  doe  suppose  all  or  most  of  their  Pro- 
fession will  in  some  measure  Contribute,   and  there  being  diverse  of  them  in  the 
South  River  at  Delaware,  to  which  place  a  Sloope  being  now  bound  a  Convenlency 
presents,  soe  that  they  have  pitcht  upon  Martin  Hoofman,  to  Negotiate  there  for 
them;     These   are   to    require   all    Persons    that   they    permitt   and    suffer   ye    said 
Martin  Hoofman  to  Passe  out  of  this  Porte  in  the  Sloope  belonging  to  Capt.  Martin 
Creiger   bound   for*  New    Castle   in    Delaware,    and   ye   Officers   there   are   likewise 
required   noe  way  to  hinder  or  molest  ye   said   Martin  Hoofman   in  Ms  Endeavor 
of  Collecting  ye   Benevolence  of  such  of  ye   Lutheran   Profession  in   those   parts, 
towards  their  Intents  as  aforesaid  Provided  It  doe  noe  way  hinder  or  tend  to  make 
Division  or  Disturbance  amongst  ye  People,   nor  shall  Occasion  ye  Breach  of  the 
Peace,  the  which  all  his  Majesty's  good  Subjects  are  obliged  to  keep,  Hereof  They 
are  not  to  fayle.      Given  under  my  Hand  at  Fort  James  in  New  Yorke  the  16th 
day  of  January  1671/2. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  494, 
To   all  whom  this  may  Concerne. 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  Yoek.  623 

Court  Mixutes  of  Xew  Amsteedam. 

Domine  Luyck  Paid  for  Hig  Services. 

1672,    Marcti   5. 

The  Court  this  day  allowed  to  Domine  Luyck,  by  way  of  gratuity  for  Preaching 
before  Domine  Newenhuysen's  Arrival,  the  somme  of  four  hundred  gilders  seawtt. 
Valine  and  ordered  the  Secretary  to  make  payment  thereof. —  Records  of  New 
Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  p.  365. 

An  Order  Made  ox  Behalf  of  Me.  Charltox  for  Getting  rs" 
His  Money  from  ye  Towne  of  He^istead,  for  Teaching 
Schoole  There. 

Whereas  I  am  given  to  understand  that  ye  major  part  of  your  Towne  did  at  a 
publick  Meeting  Contract  with  Richard  Charlton  to  keep  a  Schoole  to  Instruct  ye 
Children  and  Youth  there  to  write  and  read,  the  which  hee  hath  performed  for 
ye  whole  time  of  ye  Contract,  yet  diverse  of  the  Towne  although  they  naue  received 
the  Benefitt  thereof,  doe  refuse  or  too  long  delay  the  payment  contracted  for; 
These  are  to  require  you  to  cause  speedy  payment  to  bee  made  unto  him.  according 
to  your  Contract,  that  Persons  of  that  calling  bee  not  discouraged,  otherwise  hee 
will  have  good  remedy  against  you  at  Law  to  your  greater  charge  and  Disparage- 
ment. Given  under  my  Hand  at  Fort  James  in  New  Yorke  this  2l3t  day  of 
March  1671/2. 

Fr.    Lovelace. 
—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  6eL  662. 

To  ye  Justices  of  the  Peace,   Constable,   and  Overseers  at  Hempstead. 


Court  Minutes  of  Xew  Amsterda^i. 

Church  in  the  Fort  to  be  Repaired. 

Anno  1671/72.  Ady  21.  March- 
Read  the  petition  of  the  Kerkmeesters  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  this  Citty 
representing  in  substance,  how  necessary  it  is,  that  the  roof  of  the  Church  in  the 
Fort  be  renewed:  requesting  to  this  end  the  Courts  assistance  for  tTiis  work  by 
furnishing  as  much  money  from  the  City's  revenue,  as  is  possible  and  interceding 
with  the  Honorable  Governor  that  his  Honor  may  be  pleased  likewise  to  contribute 
thereunto  from  the  public  fund  of  the  Province  etc. 

Which  petition  being  this  day  taken  into  consideration  by  the  Worshipfull  Court, 
their  Worships,  with  the  previous  knowledge  of  the  honorable  Governor  provision- 
ally allowed  the  petitioners  from  the  City  chest,  the  sum  of  five  hundred  guilders 
sewant  value. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  pp.  367,  368. 


Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Rev.  Eensselaer,  Accepted,  as  Expectant  for  Foreign  CKiirckes. 

1672.  April  4th. 

Rev.  Xicliolas  van  Rensselaer  having  come  ^^'ithin.  exhibited 
certificates  from  some  members  of  the  German  (^Dutch)  church 


1672 


1672 


624  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

in  London,  as  Avell  as  from  the  Rev.  Consistory  at  Leyden,  as 
to  his  doctrine  and  life.  He  requested  to  be  advanced  for  the 
churches  in  foreign  lands.  After  delivering  a  sermon  he  was 
admitted  among  the  '^  expectants  ''.     vii.  30.     xix.  159. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1672;   Spring?      The   Church  of  Xew  York  to   the   Classis   of 

Amsterdam. 

'Eo  date.     (1672) 

Reverend,  Pious,  Very  Learned,  Very  Prudent  Gentlemen  and 
Dear  Brethren  in  Christ : — 

The  particular  care,  which  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam  has 
already  shown  for  building  up  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  as 
well  at  home  as  in  foreign  lands,  is  well  known  to  us,  and  has 
been  verified  several  times  heretofore.  The  indefatigable  dili- 
gence again  employed  by  your  Rev.  Assembly,  to  provide  our 
vacant  church  in  these  parts  with  a  pious  and  learned  minister, 
is  highly  gratifying  to  us,  and  especially  so  because,  notwithstand- 
ing the  change  of  government  in  this  country,  and  the  disinclina- 
tion of  certain  licentiates  to  come  over  here,  yet  your  Reverences 
have  not  rested,  until  you  had  legally  called  Domine  Wilhelmus 
van  Nieuw^enhuysen,  L.A.M.  as  pastor  and  overseer  of  our  con- 
gregation; and  you  also  persuaded  him  to  accept  the  call.  He 
arrived  safely  here  last  July  and  delivered  us  your  letter.  His 
person  is  very  agi'eeable  to  us,  and  his  gifts  fully  satisfy  the 
congregation.  He  labors  daily  and  diligently  in  edifying  our  peo- 
ple, either  by  preaching  God's  Word,  or  by  catechising  the 
young.  Therefore  we  shall  always  consider  ourselves  obliged  to 
show  very  great  gratitude  towards  your  Reverences  for  the 
fatherly  interest  you  have  shown  us,  and  are  compelled  to  pray 
ardently  to  the  supreme  Shepherd  of  souls,  that  he  will  still 
more  greatly  bless  the  coimcils  of  your  Rev.  Assembly,  to  the 
glorification  of  his  Holy  Kame,  the  edification  of  his  dearly 
bought  church,  and  the  gain  of  many  souls. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  625 

We  should  earlier  have  sent  you  our  dutiful  thanks,  if  we 
had  not  waited  so  long  in  order  to  consult  about  a  good  way  for 
paying  the  salary  promised  to  our  minister.  This  way  has  now 
been  found  to  the  full  relief  of  his  Keverenoe  and  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  congregation. 

There  is  nothing  more  to  say,  Kev.  Gentlemen,  except  to 
convey  our  cordial  greetings,  wheremth  we  commend  your  Rever- 
ences persons  and  families  and  property  to  the  word  of  His 
grace.     We  remain  meantime. 

Reverend,  Pious,  Very  Learned,  Very  Prudent,  Gentlemen, 
Your  obliged  Servants  and  Brethren  in  Christ, 
The  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Reformed 
Church  at  New  York. 
In  the  name  of  all, 

Oloff  Stevensen  van  Cortlandt,  Elder. 
Jeronimus  Ebbinck,  Deacon. 

(The  points  of  this  letter  are  given  at  a  meeting  of  the  Depu- 
ties, Sept.  13,  1672,  (Vol.  xxi:127,)  and  hence  the  date  would 
probably  be  the  first  half  of  1672.  There  is  also  an  extract  of 
the  same  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  North  Holland,  1673, 
Art.  12,  p.  20.) 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1672,  July  13th. 

Agreement  between  the  Pastor  and  Consistory  of  New  York 

concerning  his  salary,    xxvii.  147. 

Pastor  and  Consistory  being  assembled,  it  is  determined  that 

in  the  payment  of  one  thousand  guilders,  Dutch  currency,  as 

the  annual  salary  of  Rev.  Nieuwenhuysen,  the  beavers  shall  never 

be  valued  higher  or  lower  than  six  guilders  each;   that   silver 

money  shall  be  according  to  Dutch  value;  and  the  sewant  shall 

40 


1672 


626  EccLESiASTiCxVL  Records 

1672 

be  valued  according  to   the   exchange.     This   shall  remain  un- 
changed so  long  as  Rev.  Van  Xieuwenhuvsen  continues  here. 

Signed, 

Oleft  Stevens  Cortlandt, 
Johannes  De  Piester, 
Peter  Jacobse  Marius, 
Jacob  Leisler, 
Jeronimus  Elbing, 
Pieter  Stoutenburg. 
Wilhelmus  Van  Xieuwenhujsen, 

as  Pastor. 
Subscript : 

This  copy  corresponds  to  the  original  in  the  church-book,  to 
which  testify,  et-c. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1672,  Sept.  13th. 
Rev.  Laurentius  in  the  Chair. 

A  letter  without  date,  wrritten  by  the  elders  and  deacons  in 
i^ew  York,  was  read.  Therein  they  inform  us,  that  they  had 
received  our  letters,  and  that  Rev.  William  Xieuwenhuvsen,  sent 
to  them  as  their  pastor,  had  safely  arrived,  and  that  he  was 
highly  satisfactory  to  them,  edifying  the  church  by  his  preach- 
ing and  catechising;  that  they  are  indebted  to  the  Rev.  Classis 
for  the  trouble  they  had  taken,  and  should  have  written  sooner, 
but  delayed,  in  order  to  be  enabled  to  decide  first  concerning 
the  best  means  of  meeting  the  requirements  of  the  salary  prom- 
ised. This  had  now  been  fixed  to  the  full  satisfaction  of  his 
Reverence  as  well  as  of  the  congregation,    xxi.  127. 


I'T 


OF  THE  State  of  E'ew  York.  62' 

1672 

Explanation  of  Concessions  Made  in  1664-5  by  James,  Duke 
of  York,  and  Carteret  and  Berkeley. 

(From  Learning  and  Spicer.) 

1672,  Dec.  6. 

II.  As  to  the  8tli  Article,  it  shall  be  in  the  Power  of  the 
Oovernor  and  Council,  to  constitute  and  appoint  such  Ministers 
and  Preachers  as  shall  be  nominated  and  chosen  by  the  several 
Corporations,  without  the  General  Assembly,  and  to  establish 
their  maintenance,  giving  Liberty  besides  to  any  Person  or  Per- 
sons to  keep  and  maintain  what  Ministers  or  Preachers  they 
please.     Page  33. 

This  was  renewed  in  1674,  after  the  resurrender  of  the  Prov- 
ince to  the  English.     Page  55. 

Petition  (Not  Signed)  for  a  Grant  of  Four  Thousand  Acres 
OF  Land  Above  and  Below  the  Falls  on  the  Delaware, 
WITH  THE  Privilege  of  Liberty  of  Worship,  Calling  a 
Minister,  Holding  Court,  Etc. 

1672? 
Right  honereabill  Ed.  Andros,  Governor: 

For  wee  thought  good  to  propound  ffew  things  unto  your  honners  Consideration 
for  the  seatilment  of  ourselves  and  famelies  at  the  falles  of  Delaway  River. 

First  we  Request  of  your  honner  such  a  traclit  of  Land  in  the  please  aforesaid 
Contayneing  ffowar  thousand  eakers  of  Land  lying  by  the  River  that  is  to  saye 
ffowar  miles  above  the  fales  and  ffowar  miles  Belowe  with  the  ijlands  therebye 
and  that  the  ijland  callid  by  the  name  of  Mr.  Olderidges  (Alrichs)  ijland  may  be 
procuarid  ffor  us  and  that  your  honner  wolde  be  pleased  to  give  us  such  a  Pattin 
ffor  the  same:  whereby  it  maye  be  Conferraid  unto  ourselves  and  ayares  or  suck- 
sesars  ffor  ever  ami  bodies  this  ffowar  thousand  eakeres  of  Land  we  Request  a 
nother  parte  of  Land  to  by  as  Comman  and  ffree  ffrom  any  payments  but  for  the 
ffowar  thousand  Akeres  after  the  exspireation  of  seven  yeres  paying  ffor  every 
hondred  eakeres  one  scipell  of  wheate  yerely  shall  then  be  ffreid  ffrom  any  other 
payments  as  to  the  publick. 

21y  that  we  may  have  our  Liberty  in  point  of  worship  and  the  Choise  of  our  owne 
Ministar  and  that  nothing  may  be  imposed  upon  him  which  may  be  offensive  unto 
his  Conshence. 

Sly  that  we  may  have  the  Liberty  ffor  the  iudging  of  such  difaranses  as  may 
any  way  hapin  amongt  as  to  give  a  flSnal  determination  thereof  exsept  of  matters 
which  moste  properly  belong  to  the  Courte  of  Asisis.  That  we  may  have  the 
Liberty  of  treade  and  make  the  best  of  what  we  shall  Rayes  or  maye  produce  and 
tranceporte  into  any  partes  of  his  Majesty's  Dominyous  either  Yorke  Boston  or 
Barbadoes  or  where  we  maye  make  the  best  of  what  we  shall  any  waye  produce, 
provided  we  paye  the  Kings  Custome  as  in  New  Yorke  we  then  be  ffree  to  trance- 
porte it  where  we  please  without  any  ffurdar  paymente. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii, 
521,  522. 


628  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

1673 


Synod  of  ^orth  Holland,  at  Edam. 

1673,  Aug.  8  et  seq. 
Art.  12.    Indian  Affairs. 


.Extract  from  a  letter,  undated,  ^\Titten  from  Xcav  York  by  the 

Elders  and  Deacons  there. 

1.  It  makes  knoA^Ti  that  Rev.  William  ^ieuwenhiiysen,  sent 
to  them  by  ns  as  minister,  safely  arrived  there  in  the  last  of 
July;  that  he  (his  person)  was  very  acceptable  to  them,  and  that 
he  edified  the  congregation  by  his  preaching  and  catechising. 

2.  They  would  have  written  sooner,  but  were  delayed  in  their 
efforts  to  devise  some  good  plan  for  his  payment.  This  had 
now  been  accomplished  to  his  satisfaction,  and  the  pleasure  of 
all  the  people. 

1673,  Aug.  9. 

[Eeconquest  of  E'ew  Netherland  by  the  Dutch.  See  Col.  Docs. 
]Sr.  Y.  ii.  569-732;  iii.  199-227;  Doc.  Hist.  ]S\  Y.  iii.  45-65. 
Amsterdam  Correspondence  and  Documents,  1673,  onward.  Also 
Brodhead's  K"ew  York,  ii.  204-260.] 

ADMmiSTRATIO:^'  OF  GOYEEXOR  A]S^TH0:N'Y  COLYE, 

August  9,  1673,  iN'ovember  16,  1674, 

]^ATHAN  Gould's  Account  of  the  Recaptuee  of  'Nbw  Yokk 

BY  THE  Dutch. 

August,  1673. 

The  relation  of  one  of  the  corporalls  of  the  garrison  concern- 
ing the  takeing  of  ISTew  Yorke,  w^hich  is  as  followeth,  viz.  On 
the  last  Monday  was  seuen  night  the  Dutch  ffleete  appeared 
about  Sandy  Hooke :  On  tuesday  they  came  to  an  anchor  under 
Staten  Hand:  on  the  Wednesday  the  ffleet  came  up  into  Hud- 


OF  THE  State  of  ITew  York.  629 

son's  Kiuer  and  Ankored  before  the  ffort,  not  a  Musquet  Shot  be- 
fore the  fort,  before  they  came  to  an  anchor  at  the  fort :  while 
they  were  at  Staten  Hand  the  ffleete  sent  a  trumpeter  to  the 
ffort  and  demanded  it  for  the  Prince  of  Orange ;  and  what  answer 
was  returned  the  Corporall  knows  not ;  After  the  ffleete  was  at 
an  anchor  by  the  ffort  they  did  not  shoot  a  gunn  for  the  space 
of  halfe  an  hoAvr:  then  the  ffleet  discharged  their  broad  sides 
at  the  ffort,  and  the  ifort  shot  att  them,  while  the  Dutch  were 
placing  their  great  gunns;  they  landed  their  men  in  Hutson's 
Riuer  aboue  the  Gouernor  Orchard.  This  Corporall  saitli  that 
immediately  the  fflag  of  the  ifort  was  taken  Downe;  and  he  can- 
not certainly  say  who  did  it;  the  Souldiers  of  the  enemy  came 
dowTie  the  broad  way  and  entered  at  the  ffort  gate,  it  being  open; 
whereuppon  the  beseiged  souldiers  march  forth  with  their  armes 
and  colours  fflying,  and  laid  them  downe  when  they  came;  for 
then  they  were  comanded  into  the  ffort  againe  and  comitted  to 
prison  in  the  Church,  and  so  sent  afterwards  aboard  the  ships. 
The  above  said  Corporall  also  saith,  that  he  see  General!  Love- 
lace  at  Justice  Cornwalls,  on  longe  Hand,  with  Captain  Nicolls 
w^ho  tould  him  he  would  goe  to  the  ffort  on  Saturday  last  in  the 
mourning.  He  also  saith  that  there  were  but  seauen  men  of 
warr  that  came  out  of  London  (scil)  three  Amsterdam  men  and 
four  Zeelanders;  the  rest  of  the  ffleete  were  prizes  they  had 
taken  in  the  Indies  and  Virginia,  and  he  esteems  theire  is  about 
sixteene  hundred  men  of  them. —  Col.  Docs.  IST.  Y.  iii.  201. 

Petitions  from  the  English  on  Long  Island  for  Freedom  of 

Religion  Under  the  Dutch. 

Jamaica,  August  the  14tli  1G73. 

Whereas  wee  ye  Inhabitants  of  the  East  Riding  of  Long  Island:  namely  South- 
ampton, Easthampton,  SoutHoold  Seataucok  and  Huntington  were  sometime 
rightly  and  peaceafully  joyned  with  Hertford  Jurisdiction  to  good  satisfaction  on 
both  sides,  butt  about  ye  yeare  1664  General  Richard  >.'icolls  comeiug  in  ye  name 
off  his  Majesties  Royal  Highness  ye  Duke  oCE  Yorcke  and  by  power  subjected  u» 
to  ye  Government  under  which  wee  have  remained  untill  this  present  time  and 
now  by  turne  off  Gods  Providence  shipps  off  fforces  belonging  to  ye  States  of 
Holland  have  taken  New  Yorke  ye  30th  of  the  last  month,  and  wee  have  noe 
Intelligence  to  this  day  ffrom  our  Governor:  Francis  Lovelace  Esq.  off  whatt  hath 


1673 


1673 


630  Ecclesiastical  Records 

happened  or  what  wee  are  to  doe,  Butt  ye  Generall  off  ye  said  dutch  fforce  hath 
sent  to  us  his  declaration  or  Summons  with  a  serins  Commination  therein  con- 
tained and  since  wee  understand  by  ye  post  bringing  the  said  declaration  That 
our  Governor  is  peacebly  and  respectfully  entertained  into  ye  said  ffort  and  Citty; 
wee  the  Inhabitants  off  ye  said  East  Riding  or  our  Deputies  for  us,  att  a  meeting 
this  day  doe  make  these  our  request  as  follow; 

Imprimis  That  iff  wee  come  under  ye  dutch  Government,  wee  desire  that  wee 
may  retain  our  Ecclesiastical  Privileges  viz.  to  Worship  God  according  to  our 
belieffe  without  any  imposition. 

21y  That  wee  may  enjoy  ye  small  matters  off  goods  wee  possess,  with  our  Lands 
according  to  our  Purchaze  of  ye  Natieves  as  it  is  now  bounded  out,  without  fur- 
ther charge  off  conflBrmation. 

31y  That  ye  oath  of  allegiance  to  bee  imposed  may  bind  us  onely  whyles.wee 
are  under  Government  but  that  as  wee  shall  bee  bound  not  to  act  against  them, 
soe  also  not  to  take  up  armes  ffor  them  against  our  owne  Nation. 

Sly  In   every  respect  to  have  equal   priviledges   with  the  dutch  Nation. 


The  Delegates  from  Easthampton,  Southampton,  Southold,  Setalcket  and  Hun- 
tington request  an  audience,  and  entering,  delivered  in  their  credantials  with  a 
writing  in  form  of  a  Petition;  they  further  declared  to  submit  themselves  to  the 
obedience  of  their  High  Mightinesses  the  Lords  States-General  of  the  United 
Netherlands  and  his  Serene  Highness  the  Prince  of  Orange,  etc.  Whereupon  the 
preceding  Petition  having  been  read  and  taken  into  consideration,  it  is  ordered 
as  follows: 

On  the  first  point:  They  are  allowed  Freedom  of  Conscience  in  the  Worship  of 
God  and  Church  discipline. 

2.  They  shall  hold  and  possess  all  their  goods  and  lawfully  procured  lands,  on 
condition  that  said  lands  be  duly  recorded. 

3.  Regarding  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  with  liberty  not  to  take  up  armes  against 
their  own  nation,  is  allowed  and  accorded  to  the  petitioners. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii. 
583-4. 


Court  Minutes  of  !N^ew  Amsterdam. 

At  a   Meeting  of  the   Honorable   Council   of  War  of  New   Netherland,   holden   on 

the  15th  August,  Anno  IHTS. 

Only  Magistrates  of  the  Reformed  Religion  to  be  appointed  in  New  Orange  [New 

York.] 


The  Deputies  from  the  Commonalty  of  the  city  of  New  Orange,  being  sent  for 
by  the  Commanders  and  adjoined  Council  of  War  of  the  fleet,  they  are  recommended 
to  convoke  the  Commonalty  of  this  city,  without  delay,  here  in  the  city  Hall,  and 
to  cause  them  to  nominate  six  persons  for  Burgomasters  and  fifteen  for  Schepens, 
to  wit:  from  the  wealthiest  inhabitants  and  those  only  who  are  of  the  Reformed 
Christian  Religion;  from  whom  said  Commanders  and  Council  of  War  will  select 
some  as  Magistrates  of  this  city.  . 
Dated  at  the  City  Hall  of  the  City  of  New  Orange,  this  15th  August,   1673. 

(Signed),    Cornells    Evertsen,    Jr. 
A.    Colve, 
Jacob   Benc'kes, 
Nicolaes  Boes, 
A.  F.  van  Zyll. 

This  16th  August,  1673:  Pursuant  to  the  order  aforesaid,  the  commonalty  of 
the  city  of  New  Orange  have,  by  plurality  of  votes,  nominated  and  delivered  in 
by  Deputies  to  the  Council, 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  631 

For  Burgomasters. 

Cornells  Steenwyck,  Marten  Cregier, 

Cornells  van  Ruyven,  Johannes  de  Peyster, 

Johannes  van  Brugh,  Nicolaes  Bayard. 

•  For  Schepens. 

Jeronimus  Ebbinck,  Francois  Rombouts, 

Willem  Beeckman,  Stevanus  van  Cortlant, 

Egidius  Luyck,     .  Adolf  Pietersse, 

Jacob  Kip,  Rynier  Willemse, 

Gelyn  Verplanck,  Pieter  Jacobse, 

Lourens  van  der  Spiegel,  Jan  Vinges, 

Balthazaer  Bayard,  Peter  Stoutenburgh, 

Coenraet  ten  Eyck. 

Which  above  named  persons  being  called  before  the  Council,  they  took  the  oath 
of  allegiance,  from  which  nomination  the  Commanders  and  Council  of  War  elected 
the  Magistrates,  who  have  subscribed  the  following  oath,  whereupon  it  was  ordered 
to  make  the  subjoined   Proclamation  to-morrow. 

The  Oath. 

We,  the  Schout,  Burgomasters,  Schepens  and  Secretary  of  the  city  of  New 
Orange,  qualified  by  the  Honorable  Council  of  War,  do  promise  and  swear,  in  the 
presence  of  Almighty  God,  that  we,  each  in  his  quality,  will,  according  to  the  best 
of  our  knowledge  and  without  passion,  administer  good  law  and  justice  between 
parties  in  cases  brought  before  us;  that  we  will  promote  the  welfare  of  this  city 
and  its  inhabitants;  in  all  things  defend  the  upright  and  true  Christian  Religion 
agreeably  to  the  Word  of  God  and  the  order  of  the  Synod  of  Dordrecht  taught 
in  the  Netherland  church;  in  all  circumstances  obey,  maintain  and  help  to  main- 
tain the  Supreme  government  placed,  or  hereafter  yet  to  be  appointed,  over  us  in 
the  name  of  their  High  Mightinesses  the  Lords  States  General  of  the  United 
Netherlands  and  his  Highness  of  Orange,  and  prevent,  as  far  as  in  our  power  lies, 
everything  that  may  conflict  with  it.  So  truly  help  us  God. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y. 
ii.  574,  575.     Also,  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  pp.  396-7. 


Petitions  from  the  English  in  New  Jersey  for  Freedom  of 

Religion  Under  the  Dutch. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Honorable  Council  of  War,  holden  in  Fort  Willem  Hendrick, 

on  the  18th  of  August,  Anno  1673, 

Present  —  Commander  Jacob  Benckes, 

Commander  Cornells  Evertsen,  Jr. , 
Captain  Anthony  Colve, 
Captain  Nicolas  Boes, 
Captain  A.  F.  van  Zyll. 

The  following  order  was  made: 

On  the  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  respective  towns,  viz.:  Elizabets 
Towne,  New-Worke  and  Piscattaway,   situated  at  Achter  Coll. 

The  Commanders  and  Honorable  Council  of  War  having  considered  and  read 
the  Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  villages  of  Elizabets  Towne,  New-V.orke 
and  Piscattaway,  have  ordered  thereupon  that  all  the  inhabitants  of  those  tov/ns 
shall  be  granted  the  same  Privileges  and  freedoms  as  will  be  accorded  to  native 
horn  subjects  and  Dutch  towns;  also  the  Petitioners  and  their  heirs  shall  unmo- 
lested enjoy  and  possess  their  lawfully  purchased  and  paid  for  lands,  which  shall 
afterwards  be  confirmed  to  them  by  the  Governor  in  due  form;  in  regard  to  the 
bounds  of  each  town,  they  shall  hereafter  be  fixed  by  the  Governor  and  Council; 


1673 


1673 


632  Ecclesiastical  Records 

la  respect  to  impres&meut,  none  of  the  English  nation  shall,  in  time  of  war  witb 
bis  Majesty  of  England,  be  impressed  against  his  own  nation  on  conditioji  that 
they  comport  themselves  quietly  and  peaceably,  but  their  ships  and  boats  shall 
be  subject  thereto.  Concerning  inheritance,  they  shall  have  to  regulate  them- 
selves according  to  the  laws  of  Netberland,  but  be  at  liberty  to  dispose  of  their 
property  by  will,  according  to  their  pleasure;  and  in  case  any  wish  to  depart  from 
this  government  with  their  property,  they  shall  be  at  liberty  so  to  do  within  the 
term  of  six  months  on  condition  of  previously  paying  their  debts,  and  obtaining 
proper  passport  from  the  Governor.  Furthermore,  no  person  shall  be  suffered 
to  settle  within  this  government  without  the  Governor's  previous  approbation; 
and  finally,  the  Petitioners  are  granted  and  accorded  freedom  of  conscience  as 
the  same  is  permitted  in  the  Netherlands. 

Further,  the  Deputies  from  the  towns  of  Woodbridge,  Schrousbury  and  Mlddle- 
towne  situate  at  Achter  Coll,  coming  Into  court,  the  above  privileges  were,  at 
their  verbal  request,  in  like  manner  granted  and  allowed  to  their  towns;  but  all 
subject  to  further  orders  from  their  High  Mightinesses  and  his  Serene  Highness 
of  Orange. 

Captain  John  Berry,  William  Sandfort,  Samuell  Edsall  and  Lourens  Andriessen, 
appearing  before  the  Council  request  that  they  and  their  plantations  may  be  con- 
firmed in  the  privileges  which  they  obtained  from  their  previous  PatroonS,  and 
furthermore  possess  unobstructed  their  houses,  lands  and  goods  and  enjoy  such 
further  privileges  as  are  granted  and  accorded  to  all  other  the  inhabitants  of  Achter 
Coll,  lately  called  New  Jersey. 

Ordered  thereupon: 

The  Petitioners  shall  enjoy  their  lawfully  acquired  houses,  lands  and  goods, 
together  with  such  privileges  as  are  granted  and  accorded  to  their  neighboring 
towns  of  Achter  Coll.  What  regards  the  privileges  obtained  from  their  previous 
Patroons,  the  same  is  denied  the  Petitioners. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  576,  577. 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Commanders  and  Honorable  Council 
OF  War  of  !N^ew  I^etherland,  Holden  in  Fort  Willem 
Hendrick  24:Th  August,  1673. 


The  following  is  the  Form  of  the  Oath  for  Town  Magistrates: 

Whereas  wee  N.  N.  are  chosen  by  ye  authority  of  the  high  and  mighty  Lords 
the  Staets  Generall  etz  to  be  Magestraets  of  the  towne  called  N.  N.  wee  doe 
sweare,  in  ye  Presence  of  ye  allmlghty  Godt,  to  be  true  and  ffalthffull  to  ye  said 
authority,  and  their  Governors  for  ye  time  being,  and  that  wee  equally  and  impar- 
tially shall  exercise,  Justice  betwixt  party  and  party,  without  Respect  off  persons 
or  nations,  and  that  wee  shall  ffollow  such  ffurther  orders  and  Instructions  as 
wee  ffrom  time  to  time  shall  receive  ffrom  ye  Governor  and  Councell  in  time  being. 
So  help  us  God.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  583. 


Court  Minutes  of  i^ew  Amsterdam. 

Ordinance  for  Better  Observance  of  the  Sabbath. 

1673,    August   28. 

Whereas  we  experience  to  our  grief,  that  the  previously  enacted  and  frequently 
renewed  Placards  and  Ordinances  against  the  desecration  of  the  Sabbath  of  the 
Lord,  the  unlawful  and  unseasonable  tapping  on  the  same  and  after  setting  of  the 
watch  or  drum  beat,  are  not  observed,  but  that  many  of  the  inhabitants  almost 
make  it  a  custom,  in  place  of  observing  the  Sabbath,  as  it  ought  to  be  observed,  to 
frequent  the  taverns  more  than  on  other  days  and  to  take  their  delight  in  illegal 
exercises,    to  prevent  and   obviate   which   hereafter  as   much   as   possible   for  the 


OF  THE  State  of  [N'ew  York.  633 

future,  the  Sellout,  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  renew  the  aforesaid  Placards, 
enacted  on  that  subject  and  hereby  interdict  and  forbid  within  this  City  of  New 
Orange  and  the  jurisdiction  thereof  from  sunrise  to  sundown  on  Sunday  all  sorts 
of  handicraft,  trade  and  traffick,  gaming,  boat  racing,  or  running  with  carts  or 
wagons,  fishing,  fowling  running  and  picking  nuts,  strawberries  etc.  all  riotous 
racing,  calling  and  shouting  of  children  in  the  streets,  together  with  all  unlawful 
exercises  and  games,  drunkenness,  frequenting  taverns  or  taphouses,  dancing,  card- 
playing,  ballplaying,  rolling  nine  pins  or  bowls  etc.  which  is  more  in  vogue  on  this 
than  on  any  other  day;  to  prohibit  and  prevent  which,  all  tavern  keepers  and  tap- 
sters are  strictly  enjoined  to  entertain  no  clubs  on  this  day  from  sunrise  to  sunset, 
nor  permit  nor  suffer  any  games  in  their  houses  or  places,  on  pain  for  the  tavern 
keeper,  who  shall  be  found  to  suffer  such  in  bis  house,  of  forfeiting  for  the  first 
offence  twenty  five  gl.,  for  the  second  offence  fifty  gl.  and  for  the  third  offence  he 
shall  no  longer  be  allowed  to  tap  and  moreover  forfeit  a  fine  of  one  hundred  guild- 
ers zeawant;  and  each  person  found  on  Sunday  in  a  Club  or  Gaming  shall  forfeit 
three  guilders  zeawant;  and  if  any  children  be  caught  on  the  streets  playing, 
racing  and  shouting,  previous  to  the  termination  of  the  last  preaching,  the  officers 
of  the  law  may  take  their  hat  or  upper  garment,  which  shall  not  be  restored  to  the 
parents,  until  they  have  paid  a  fine  of  two  guilders. 

The  intention  of  the  above  prohibition  is  not,  that  a  stranger  or  citizen  shall  not 
buy  a  drink  of  wine  or  beer  for  the  assuaging  of  his  thirst,  but  only  to  prevent  the 
Bitting  of  clubs  on  the  Sabbath,  whereby  many  are  hindered  resorting  to  Divine 
Worship. 

Further,  no  tapsters  nor  tavernkeepers  shall  tap,  present  or  sell  any  wines, 
brandies,  beer  etc.,  nor  set  any  clubs  on  Sunday,  nor  on  the  night  of  any  other  day 
after  setting  of  the  watch  or  ringing  of  the  bell,  under  the  penalty  and  fine  as 
above.  Done  in  the  City  Hall  of  the  City  of  New  Orange  the  28fh  of  August 
Anno  1673. 

By  order  of  the  Schout,  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  aforesaid. —  Records  of  New 
Amsterdam,  Vol.  6.  pp.  405,  406. 

FoEMs  OF  Oath  for  the  Dutch  and  English,  Respectively^ 

1673,  Aug.  29. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Commanders  and  Honorable  Council  of  War  holden  the  29th  of 

August,  1673. 

Present  —  Commander  Jacob  Benckes, 

Commander  Cornelis  Evertsen,  Junior, 
Captain  Anthony  Colve. 

Capt.  Willem  Knyff  and  Lieutenant  Jerons,  de  Hubert  are  this  day  ordered  with 
Ephraim  Herman,  clerk  in  the  office  of  Secretary  Bayard,  to  repair  to  the  Towns 
of  Midwout,  Amesfort,  Breukelen,  Utreght,  Boswyck,  Gravesandt,  Flushing,  Heem- 
stede,  Rustdorp  and  Middleborgh  on  Long  Island,  and  to  administer  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  all  the  inhabitants  thereof;  to  which  end  a  commission  is  granted  to 
them. 

Note. —  The  form  of  the  oath  to  be  taken  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  Dutch  Nation 
shall  be  as  follows: 

We  do  promise  and  swear,  in  the  presence  of  the  Almighty  God,  to  be  loyal  and 
faithful  to  their  High  Mightinesses  the  Lords  States-General  of  the  United  Nether- 
lands, and  his  Serene  Highness  the  Prince  of  Orange  and  their  Governor  already, 
or  hereafter  to  be  appointed  here,  and  to  comport  ourselves  on  all  occasions  as 
loyal  and  faithful  subjects  are  bound  to  do.     So  truly  help  me  God  Almighty. 

The  following  is  the  form  of  the  oath  to  be  taken  by  the  inhabitants  of  the 
English  Nation: 

Wee  do  sware  in  the  presence  of  the  Almighty  Godt,  that  wee  shall  be  true  and 
faithful  to  the  High  and  Mighty  Lords  the  Staets  Gennerall  of  the  United  Provinces 
of  his  Serene  Highnesse  the  Lord  Prince  of  Orange  and  their  Governors  here  for 


1673 


634 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1673 


the  tljme  being,  and  to  behave  ourselves  uppon  all  occasions,  as  true  and  lawfull 
subjects  provided  onlij  that  wee  shall  not  be  forced  in  armes  against  our  owne 
nation  if  they  be  sent  bij  authoritij  of  his  Majesty  of  England,  except  they  be 
accompanied  by  a  commission  of  force  of  other  nations  when  wee  do  oblidge  our- 
selves to  take  up  armes  against  them  So  help  us  God. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  X.  ii.  589. 

Petition  from  Kingston  for  Help  to  Support  Their 

Minister. 

1673,  Sept.  1. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Commanders  and  Honorable  Council  of  War,  holden  in  Port 

Willem  Hendrik  the  1st  September,  1673. 

Present  —  Commander  Jacob  Benckes, 

Commander  Cornells  Evertse,  Jr., 
Captain  Anthony  Colve. 


N. 


The  Delegates  from  the  Esopus  appearing,  delivered  in  a  certain  Petition  where- 
upon the  following  Order  was  made: 

The  above  Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  Swaenenburgh,  heretofore  called  Kings- 
towne,  also  the  Petition  of  the  Magistrates  of  the  towns  of  Horley  and  Marble 
towne,  situate  in  the  Esopus,  being  read  and  considered  at  a  meeting  of  the  Honor- 
able Commanders  and  adjoined  Council  of  War  of  the  squadron  of  ships  in  the 
North  river  of  New  Netherland,  etc. 

It  is  ordered  as  follows: 

First.  The  Petitioners  shall  give  in  a  list  of  the  number  of  their  inhabitants,  and 
what  they  will  be  able  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  a  Minister,  which  shall  be 
transmitted  by  us  to  our  principals.  Regarding  the  requested  instruction  it  will 
be  prepared  on  the  earliest  opportunity  by  the  Governor  and  sent  to  the  Petition- 
ers.—Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  II.  592. 


Petitions  from  Albany  as  to  Their  Privileges  Under  thb 
Restored  Dutch  Government. 

1673,  Sept.  1. 

The  Delegates  from  Fort  Orange,  lately  called  Albany,  requesting  an  audience, 
are  admitted,  and  delivered  in  a  writing  containing  the  following  articles,  which 
are  answered  as  appears  annexed  in  the  margin. 


Points  to  be  proposed  by  the  Dele- 
gates to  the  Honorable  Council  of  War 
of  the  Squadron  of  Ships  lying  at  pres- 
ent before  the  Fort  called  Willem  Hen- 
drick,  for  the  Maintenance  and  preser- 
vation of  the  rights  of  the  Town  of 
Beverwyck  and  Fort  Orange: 

First  and  foremost:  Most  seriously 
to  request  that  the  Officers  and  Jus- 
tices of  Fort  Orange  and  Beverwyck 
aforesaid  may  be  upright  protectors  of 
the  true  Reformed  Religion,  according 
to  the  Ordinances  of  beloved  Father- 
land. 

Secondly.  That  conscience  shall  not 
be  subjected  to  any  constraint,  as  there 
are  some  here  of  different  opinions  who 
have  intermarried,  but  that  every  one 
shall  be  at  liberty  to  go  where  he 
pleases  to  hear  the  Word  or  God. 


The  annexed  petition  being  taken  into 
consideration  by  the  Honorable  Council 
of  War,  their  Honors  have  ordered  that 
Fort  Albany  shall  henceforward  |be 
called  Fort  Nassau,  and  the  Town  of 
Beverwyck,  Willemstadt,  and  have  fur- 
ther ordered  as  follows: 

1st  The  Commandant  there  shall  be 
most  expressly  ordered  to  protect  the 
Reformed  Christian  Religion,  and  fail- 
ing so  to  do,  the  Petitioners  shall  have 
to  address  themselves  to  the  Governor 
at  this  place,  and  the  Magistrates  shall 
alone  consist  of  persons  belonging  to, 
or  at  least  well  affected  towards  the 
Reformed  Christian  Religion. 

2nd  Article  is  granted,  and  the  Com- 
mandant and  Magistrates  are  ordered 
to  pay  attention  to  it. —  Col.  Docs.  N. 
Y.  ii.  593. 


OF  THE  State  of  IsTew  York.  635 

The  Corporation  of  New  Orange  [New  York]  to  the  States- 
General,  Respecting  the  Means  for  Prosperity  in  New 
Nethereand. 

1673,    Sept,    8. 

High  and  Mighty  Lords: —  It  has  pleased  the  All-governing  God  so  to  bless  your 
High  Mightinesses  and  his  Serene  Highness'  Arms  under  the  command  of  Com- 
mander Jacob  Benckes  and  Cornelis  Evertse,  Jr.,  that  this  entire  Province  of  New 
Netlierland,  consisting  of  three  cities  and  thirty  villages,  was,  to  the  great  joy  of 
its  good  inhabitants,  on  the  9th  of  August  last,  reduced  again  under  the  obedience 
of  your  High  Mightinesses  and  his  Serene  Highness,  their  lawful  and  native  Sov- 
ereigns, from  whose  protection  they  were  cut  off  about  nine  years  ago  in  time  of 
peace.  In  the  name  and  on  the  belialf  of  our  loyal  Burghery,  we  heartily  and 
with  due  respect  thank  your  High  Mightinesses  and  his  Serene  Highness,  under 
God,  for  this  reduction  and  recovery.  And,  furthermore,  have  thought  necessary, 
officially  and  dutifully  to  represent  briefly  to  your  High  Mightinesses,  that  the  reduc- 
tion and  recovery  of  this  Province  will,  in  time,  be  able  to  confer,  exclusive  of  the 
reputation  and  respect,  great  profit  and  considerable  advantage  on  the  state  of  our 
beloved  Fatherland,  viz.:  Many  private  families  who  are  ruined  by  the  French 
Invasion,  will  be  able  very  easily  to  earn  a  living  in  this  country,  if  a  helping 
hand  were  extended  to  them  only  for  the  first  year,  whereby  this  Province,  which 
almost  wants  for  nothing  but  people  to  promote  agriculture  and  farming,  would 
be  so  advanced  as  in  time  to  become,  for  Fatherland,  a  granary  and  magazine  of 
many  necessaries  which  are  ordinarily  imported  from  the  Sound.  A  portion  of 
this  Province  called  the  Esopus,  consisting  of  three  villages,  having  already,  last 
year,  delivered  about  twenty  five  thousand  skepels  of  grain  (kooren).  Certainly 
Curacao  and  Serenam  could,  from  this  day  forward,  be  provided  from  this  place 
■with  necessary  provisions.  By  which  means  we  shall  be  able  to  exchange  our, 
and  they  their,  wares.  This  Province  is,  also,  very  convenient  and  serviceable  for 
Western  cruisers  in  time  of  war  to  bring  in  their  prizes  and  to  provide  themselves 
with  fresh  stores.  Moreover,  a  constant  eye  can  be  kept  on  the  actions,  in  this 
country,  of  the  King  of  England,  who,  in  case  he  only  came  to  be  Lord  and 
Master  of  this  Northern  part  of  America,  would  be  able  to  equip  ships  here 
unknown  to  any  Prince  or  Potentate  in  Europe,  and  thus  most  unexpectedly  fall 
on  our  State  or  its  allies.  To  the  above  is  still  to  be  added  the  Beaver  and  Peltry 
trade  for  the  maintenance  of  commerce  with  Muscovy;  the  Tobacco  trade,  and 
much  more  which  we  shall  omit  for  brevity's  sake  and  in  order  not  to  trouble  your 
High  Mightinesses  with  any  longer  details,  and,  therefore,  rather  refer  to  the 
verbal  report  and  information  of  Cornelis  van  Ruyven,  the  bearer  hereof,  who 
hath  filled  divers  respectable  offices  here,  who  will  be  able  fully  to  acquaint  your 
High  Mightinesses  with  all  the  circumstances  of  the  country  and  its  inhabitants. 
For  all  which  preceding  and  many  other  reasons,  it  is  highly  necessary  to  main- 
tain this  newly  recovered  Province  whose  present  condition  is  such  that,  without 
any  actual  and  speedy  reinforcement  from  Patria,  it  cannot,  evidently,  resist  its 
numerous  neighboring  English  and  French  enemies  by  whom  it  is  encompassed 
around  on  all  sides;  who,  without  a  doubt,  will  exert  every  effort  to  take  revenge, 
If  possible,  for  your  High  Mightinesses'  victory  here,  when  the  good  Dutch  Inhab- 
itants, who,  with  women  and  children,  are  estimated  to  amount  here  to  about  six 
to  seven  thousand  souls,  but  in  consequence  of  the  vastness  of  tlie  country,  are  at 
a  great  distance  the  one  from  the  other,  would  have  nothing  else  to  expect  than 
total  ruin  and  destruction,  which  God  forbid.  Therefore  have  we  taken  the  lib- 
erty to  address  ourselves  to  your  High  Mightinesses,  and  with  all  due  submission, 
humbly  requesting  and  praying  you.  High  and  Mighty,  in  your  wonted  benevolence, 
to  apply  yourselves  to  the  preservation  of  this  Province  and  of  so  many  souls,  and 
supply  them  with  such  necessary,  and  above  all  things,  speedy  succor,  as  shall  be 
found  to  appertain  to  the  proper  defence  of  this  newly  recovered  Province.  The 
requisitions  therefor  we  refer  to  the  paternal  care  and  opinion  of  our  Honorable 
Commanders,  who,  undoubtedly,  will  submit  the  necessity  thereof,  at  a  proper 
time,  to  your  High  Mightinesses.     Meanwhile,  hoping  they  will  protect  us,  under 


1673 


1673 


636  Ecclesiastical  Kecords 

God,  •with  the  force  they  command,  from  all  invasions  of  the  enemy;  which  pray- 
ing of  the  All-good  God,  who  will  grant  your  High  Mightinesses  and  your  govern- 
ment lasting  and  prosperous  rule,  we  shall  be  and  remain, 

Your  High  Mightinesses' 

Most  humble  and  most  obedient 
servants  and  subjects. 
The  Schout,  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of 
the  City  of  New  Orange.—  Col.  Docs.  ii.  526. 
New  Orange,  on  the 
Island  of  Manhatans,  In 

New  Netherland,  this  8th  ■> 

September,   Anno  1673. 

Freedom  of  Religion  Granted  to  Lutherans  at  Albany. 

26  Sept.  1673. 

The  Governor  General  of  New  Netherland  having  read  and  considered  the  peti- 
tion of  Myndert  Fredricksen,  Jan  Hendriclisen  Bruyns,  Volckert  Jansen,  Hans 
Hendricksen  and  Hans  Dreper,  in  their  own  and  in  the  name  of  their  congregation 
of  the  Augsburg  Confession  at  Willemstadt,  (Albany)  requesting  in  substance  free 
exercise  of  their  religious  worship,  without  let  or  hindrance,  to  the  end  that  they 
may  live  in  peace  with  their  fellow  burghers,  etc. 

It  is  ordered  as  follows: 

The  petitioners  are  granted  and  allowed  their  aforesaid  request,  on  condition  of 
comporting  themselves  peaceably  and  quietly  without  giving  any  offence  to  the 
congregation  of  the  Reformed  Religion,  which  is  the  State  Church  (de  hoofft 
Kercke.)  Dated  Fort  Willem  Hendrick,  this  26th  7ber,  1673.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii. 
617. 


Instruction  for  Andries  Draeyer,   Commander  and  Schout,   at  Fort  Nassau. 

1673,  27,   7ber. 

1.  The  pure,  true  Christian  Religion,  agreeably  to  the  Synod  of  Dort,  shall  be 
taught  and  maintained  in  all  things  as  it  ought,  without  suffering  any  the  slightest 
attempt  to  be  made  against  it  by  any  other  sectaries. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  618. 


Order  to  the  Magistrates  of  the  Villages  in  the  I^evesinks 
IN  Regard  to  Approaching  Ships  and  for  a  [N'ew  Election 
OF  Officers  at  Shrewsbury. 

other  officers  than  Quakers  to  be  elected  at  Shrewsbury,  N.  J. 

A  letter  was  written  to-day  to  the  Magistrates  of  the  villages,  lying  in  the  Neve- 
sinks  on  the  sea-coast  to  direct  that  they  and  their  inhabitants  should  speedily 
inform  the  Governor  General  of  the  arrival  of  any  ship  from  sea. 

Whereas  the  Late  Chosen  Magistrates  off  Shroudbury  are  found  to  be  Persons, 
whoes  Religion  will  not  suffer  them  to  take  any  oath  or  administer  the  same  to 
others,  wherefore  they  can  Nott  be  fitt  Persons  for  that  office,  1  have  therefore 
thought  fitt,  to  order  that  by  ye  said  Inhabitants  off  ye  said  Towne  a  New  Nom- 
ination shall  be  made  off  four  Persons  off  the  true  Protestant  Christian  religion, 
out  of  which  I  shall  elect  two  and  Continue  one  off  ye  former  for  Magistrates  of 
ye  said  Towne.     Dated  att  ffort  Willem  Hendrick  this  29th  7tember  1673. 

Signed  A.  Colve. 

—  Col.   Docs.   N.   Y.  xiii.  477. 


OF  THE  State  of  JSTew  York.  637 

Instruction  for  Peter  Aldrickx,  Schout  and  Commander  at 

THE  South  River. 

1673,  29,  7ber. 

1.  The  pure,  true  Christian  Religion,  according  to  the  Synod  of  Dort,  shall  be 
taught  and  maintained  in  every  proper  manner,  without  suffering  anything  to  be 
attempted  contrary  thereunto  by  any  other  sectaries. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  618. 


1673 


Provisional  Instruction  for  the  Schout  and  Magistrates  of 
MiDWOuT,   Amersfoort,   Breuckelen,   !N'ew  Utrecht,   and 

GrAVESEND,  L.   I.,  AND  TO  THE  MAGISTRATES   OF  BuSHWYCK. 

1673,  Oct.  1. 

Art.  I.  The  sheriff  and  Magistrates  shall  each  in  his  quality,  take  care  that  the 
Reformed  Christian  Religion  be  maintained  in  conformity  to  the  Synod  of  Dord- 
recht, without  permitting  any  other  sects  attempting  anything  contrary  thereto.— 
Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  620. 


Art.  15.  Towards  the  time  of  election,  the  Sheriff  and  Schepens  shall  nominate 
as  Schepens  a  double  number  of  the  best  qualified,  the  honestest,  most  intelligent 
and  wealthiest  inhabitants,  exclusively  of  the  Reformed  Christian  religion  or  at 
least  well  affected  thereunto,  to  be  presented  to  the  Governor,  who  shall  then 
make  his  election  therefrom  with  continuation  of  some  of  the  old  ones  in  case  his 
honor  may  deem  it  necessary. 

Dated  Fort  Willem  Hendrick,  the  first  of  October,  1673.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  Ii.  622. 


Proclamation  for  a  Day  of  Humiliation  and  Thanksgiving. 

1673,  :N'ov.  15th. 

Trust  J  and  Welbeloved,  Concidering  the  Manifold  Blessings 
and  favours  which  the  Bountifull  and  Merciful  god  hath  bene 
pleazed  graciously  to  Bestow  uppon  this  Province  and  the  Inhab- 
itants thereof,  amongst  which  is  to  be  Esteemed  beyond  all  others 
the  free  and  pure  worshipp  of  god  ;  which  Blessing  together  with  all 
others  ought  ^ot  only  to  drawe  and  oblidge  us  to  dutifull  thanck- 
f  ulnesse,  but  also  meehnesse  and  Eependance  because  of  our  Mani- 
fold sins  and  Transgressions,  to  the  End  the  said  Blessings  and  fa- 
vours of  our  god  may  be  Continued  towards  us  and  this  People  and 
Country  be  free  from  this  weldeserved  Wroth  and  Indignation; 
KnoAv  ye  therefore  that  wee  have  thought  it  i^ecessary  and  do 


1673 


638  Ecclesiastical  Recokds 

by  these  presents  order  and  Proclaime  an  universal  day  of  fast^ 
humiliation  and  thancksgiveing,  which  shall  be  held  Avithin  this 
Province  on  the  first  Wednesday  on  every  months  and  begunn  on 
the  first  wesnesday  of  the  next  ensuing  month  of  December, 
being  Second  day  of  the  said  Month,  and  soo  alsoo  uppon  Every 
first  Wednesday  of  ye  month  thereunto  Ensuing;  And  to  the  End 
the  said  day  of  humiliation  and  thankxgiveing  may  be  the  better 
put  in  practice  and  due  Execution,  Wee  do  hereby  strictly  pro- 
hibite  and  forbid  on  the  said  day  of  humiliation  Thankxgiving  all 
manner  of  Labour  and  exercizings,  of  hunting,  fiisshing,  gaming, 
Excesse  in  drincking  and  the  Lyke;  and  all  Inkeepers  and  ordi- 
naris  not  to  Eetayle  any  Licquors  or  drinke,  uppon  Penalty  of 
Corporall  Punishment,  To  the  true  performance  of  which  wee  do 
hereby  strictly  order  and  Comand  all  Magistrates,  officers  and 
Justices  of  this  Province  and  prolecute  against  the  Transgressions 
according  to  the  Tennor  thereof,  and  to  Cause  this  Proclamation 
to  bee  published  in  due  time  and  place;  Soo  wee  Pecommand  you 
to  the  Protextion  of  the  Almighty  godt; 

Trustv  and  welbeloved, 

Your  Loving  fprinds, 

(: Signed:)  Anthony  Colve. 

In  fort  William  Hendrick  this  15th  of  N^ovember. 

(Vnderstood:) 
By  order  of  the  governor  gen- 
erall  and  Councell  of  the  ^N'iew 
Netherlands. 

E":  Bayard  Secretary. 
—  Col.  Docs.  K  Y.  ii.  658. 


i;;^  OF    THE    StATE    OF    NeW    YoRK.  639 

1673 

The  States-General  to  Charles  II. 

1673,  Dec.  9/19. 

Sire:  We  know  not  what  reason  finally  induced  your  Majesty 
to  write  to  us  such  a  letter  as  has  been  delivered  to  us  by  the 
Trumpeter  whom  we  sent  to  your  Majesty,  and  which  is  dated  the 
7/17  November.  Yet  we  consider  ourselves  obliged  to  thank 
your  Majesty  for  the  honor  you  have  been  pleased  to  confer  on 
us.  And  especially  can  we  not  omit  making  known  to  your 
Majesty  our  regret  to  find  its  contents  so  disadvantageous  to  us; 
and  that  the  Minister  in  whom  your  Majesty  has  reposed  confi- 
dence, have,  up  to  the  present  time,  made  use  of  their  knowledge 
to  bring  matters  to  the  stand  they  now  occupy,  even  persuading 
your  Majesty  so  far  as  to  have  conjointly  reminded  you  of  very 
many  things  which  they  supposed  your  Majesty  had  altogether 
forgotten,  and  which  they  in  their  consciences  well  know  are  far 
from  the  truth. 

This  consideration,  Sire,  prevents  us  answering  particularly  the 
principal  points  of  the  letter  your  Majesty  hath  written  us. 


We  are  ready  to  renew  with  your  Majesty  the  Treaty  con- 
cluded with  us  at  Breda  in  the  year  1667. 


Finally,  in  order  to  manifest  to  your  Majesty  the  special  esteem 
which  we  entertain  for  your  friendship,  we  hereby  also  offer  the 
restitution  of  N^ew  IsTetherland  and  of  all  other  places  and  Colonies 
which  have  been  won  by  our  arms  during  the  present  war. 
Firmly  convinced  that  your  Majesty  will  be  unwilling  to  refuse  a 
reciprocal  engagement  to  restore  to  us  such  lands  and  forts  as 
your  subjects  may  have  taken  from  us. —  Col.  Docs.  'N.  Y.  ii.  531. 


The  Hague,  9/19  December,  1673. 


1673 


640  Ecclesiastical  Eecoeds 

Court  Minutes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

Magistrates  to  be  only  of  the  Reformed  Religion. 

At  a  Court  holden  at  the  City  Hall  of  the  City  New  Orange  on  the  16th  January 
Anno  1674.  Present  the  Honorable  Hr.  Governor  General  together  with  the  W.  Hr. 
Schout,  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  City  aforesaid. 

The  Honorable  Governor  delivered  to  the  Court  a  provisional  instruction  for  the 
Schout,  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  abovementioned,  reading  as  follows: 

Copy. 

Provisional  Instruction  for  the  Schout,  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  City  of 

New  Orange.     [New  York.] 

1.  The  Schout  and  Magistrates  shall,  each  in  his  quality,  take  care  that  the  Re- 
formed Christian  Religion  conformable  to  the  Synod  of  Dordrecht  shall  be  main- 
tained, without  suffering  any  other  sects  attempting  any  thing  contrary  thereunto. 


15.  The  Schout,  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  aforesaid  shall  convoke  an  Assembly 
on  the  11th  day  of  the  month  of  August,  being  eight  days  before  the  election  of  new 
Magistrates,  and  in  presence  of  the  Commissioner  to  be  qualified  for  that  purpose 
by  the  Honorable  Governor  General  nominate  a  double  number  of  the  best  qualified 
honorable  and  most  wealthy  persons  and  such  only  as  are  of  the  Reformed 
Christian  Religion,  or  at  least  well  affected  towards  it,  as  Schout,  Burgomasters 
and  Schepens  aforesaid,  which  nomination  shall  be  handed  in  and  presented,  folded 
and  sealed,  on  the  same  day  to  his  Honor,  from  which  nomination  the  election  shall 
then  be  made  by  his  Honor  on  the  17th  day  of  the  month  of  August,  with  continua- 
tion of  some  of  the  old  Magistrates,  in  case  his  Honor  shall  consider  the  same 
necessary.  Done  at  Fort  Willem  Hendrick  the  15th  of  January  1674. —  Records  of 
New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  7.  pp.  36,  39. 

Court  Minutes  of  I!^ew  Amsterdam. 

Case  of  Rev.  Jacob  Fabritius,   Lutheran. 
-jgfT^  1674,  January  17. 

Annettie  Ffrabitius,  pltf.  v/s  Jacobus  Ffrabitius,  deft.  Deft,  demands  postpone- 
ment until  the  next  Court  day,  as  he  had  not  pltf's.  declaration  long  enough.  Pltf. 
through  her  attorney  Allard  Anthony  demands,  that  the  pltf.  may  be. ordered  to 
give  her  up  the  room  in  the  house.  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  decree,  that 
Magister  Jacobus  Fabritius*  shall  provisionally  remain  in  the  chamber,  until  the 
case  in  question  be  disposed  of;  and  he  was  also  allowed  time  until  the  next  Court 
day  to  prepare  his  answer. 

Court  Minutes  of  'N'ew  Amsterdam. 

Case  of  Rev.  Fabritius. 

1674,  Feb.  15. 

Anna  Fabritius,  pltf.  v/s  Jacobus  Fabritius,  deft.  Ordered  that  copy  of  the 
deft's.  last  entered  answer  shall  be  delivered  to  the  pltf.  • 


*  The  first  minister  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  who  was  allowed  to  hold  service  in 
New  York  according  to  his  tenets.  His  predecessor  Goetwasser  was  subjected  to  all 
kinds  of  indignities  under  Dutch  rule.  But  even  though  on  the  return  of  the  Dutch 
in  1673,  Governor  Colve  allowed  the  free  exercise  of  worship  to  the  Lutherans 
(September  26,  1673),  Fabricius  was  on  March  1,  1674,  brought  up  before  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Council  for  having  solemnized  a  marriage,  without  having  been  lawfully 
authorized  to  act  as  clergyman.  At  the  same  time  he  was  accused  of  having  com- 
mitted bigamy,  but  the  Court  declared  this  charge  unfounded,  forbidding  him 
nevertheless  to  act  as  clergyman  for  a  year. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  7. 
p.  44. 


05 


O 

O 


O 

a 
o 

D 

Q 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  641 


1674 


Petition  Against  Rev.  J.  Fabritius. 

r  24  Feb.  1674. 

To  the  Worshlpfull  Heeren  President,  Burgomaster  and  Schepens  of  this  City  of 
New  Orange.  Annetje  Cornells  represents  with  very  great  humility  that  she  hath 
divers  times  requested  that  the  house  belonging  to  her  and  her  children  from  God 
and  nature  may  be  given  up  to  her,  as  she  Is  very  sickly  and  beladen  with  the 
Quartan  Ague,  having  been  obliged  the  whole  winter  to  sleep  in  the  garret  under 
the  roof  of  the  house,  which  truly  Is  a  very  hard  thing  to  happen  to  an  old  woman, 
and  all  this  for  a  drunken  and  constant  prophaner  of  God's  Name,  a  cl-devant 
Lutheran  Preacher,  named,  as  he  says  Jacobus  Fabritius  her  married  but  unfaithful 
husband,  who  has  driven  her  out  of  her  own  house  and  Chamber  which  she  Intended 
for  her  son;  which  is  truly  a  matter  that  ought  not  be  tolerated  in  a  place  where 
Law  is  maintained  as  is  the  case  in  this  Government,  the  good  God  be  fervently 
thanked  therefor. 

The  Petitioner  therefore  humbly  beseeches  your  Worships  to  be  pleased  to  order 
that  he  deliver  up  the  key  of  the  room  without  delay  to  the  petitioner  and  to  inter- 
dict or  forbid  him  to  presume  to  enter  the  house  any  more  until  further  order  from 
your  Worships,  on  pain  of  certain  arbitrary  Correction  to  be  found  fitting  by  your 
Worships,  the  rather  as  said  Fabritius  did  Yesterday  not  only  use  force  and  violence 
in  said  house,  but  also  stole  property,  which  at  a  proper  time  shall  be  proved; 
whereupon  awaiting  Your  favorable  apostille,  remains,  etc. 

Apostllled  — 
The  accompanying  Petition  being  considered  and  read  In  Court,  the  Petitioner 
Annetje  Cornells'  request  Is  granted  and  allowed,  especially  as  Jacobus  Fabritius 
hath  of  himself  left  the  house  and,  contrary  to  the  previous  order  and  prohibition 
given  him,  hath  behaved  very  uncivilly  and  badly;  and  the  said  Jacobus  Fabritius 
is  ordered  to  deliver  up  the  said  key  to  the  Petitioner  and  not  to  presume  t(> 
molest  her  in  any  way  until  the  W.  Court  shall  otherwise  provide  therein. —  Doc. 
Hist.   N.   Y.  ill.  242.     Record  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  7,   pp.  58,  60. 

Valuation  of  Property  in  New  York  in  1674. 

17th  March,  1674. 


Piirsiiant  to  a  second  order  of  the  Governor  General,  (Colve) 
the  following  valuation  was  this  day  extracted,  in  the  City  Hall 
of  this  city,  by  the  Commissioners,  from  the  second  compiled  valu- 
ation of  the  best  and  most  affluent  inhabitants  of  this  city,  to  wit : 

Holland  Currency. 

Adolph  Pieterse fl.  1,100.00.00 

Assur  Levy 2,500.00.00 

Parent  Coerten 3,500.00.00 

Palthazr.  Bayard 1,500.00.00 

Balthazr.  de  haert's  house 2,000.00.00 

Cornells  Steem\wck '. 50,000.00.00 

Cornells  van  Ruvven 18,000.00.00 

41 


642 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


1674 


Holland  Currency. 

Carsten  Luersen .  5,000.00.00 

Claes  Bordingh 1,500.00.00 

Coenraet  Ten  Eyck 5,000.00.00 

Christopher  Hooghlandt 5,000.00.00 

Comelis  Clopper 5,000.00.00 

Cornells  van  Borsim 8,000.00.00 

Cornells  Dlrckse  v.  Westveen  . 1,200.00.00 

Daniel  Hondecoutre 5,000.00.00 

Dlrck  Smlt 2,000.00.00 

Dlrck  van  Clvff 1,500.00.00 

Dlrck  Sleeken 2,000.00.00 

Egidlus  Lujck 5,000.00.00 

Evert  Pletersen 2.000.00.00 

Evert  Duycklngh , 1,600.00.00 

Eredrlck  Phillpsen 80,000.00.00 

Erancojs  Rombonts 5,000.00.00 

Geljn  Yerplanck 5,000.00.00 

Gabriel  Mlnvielle 10,000.00.00 

Hendrlck  Wesselse  Smlt 1,200.00.00 

Hendrlck  "Wlllemse  Backer 2,000.00.00 

Hans  Klersteede 2,000.00.00 

Johannes  van  Brngh .  14,000.00.00 

Johannes  d'Pejster 15,000.00.00 

Jeronimus  Ebblngh 30,000.00.00 

Jacob  Kip 4,000.00.00 

Isaacq  van  Yleecq 1,500.00.00 

Isaacq  de  Foreest ,. 1,500.00.00 

Jacob  d'  haert 6,000.00.00 

Jan  Hendrlckse  van  Bommel 1,500.00.00 

Jacob  van  de  Water 2,500.00.00 

Isaacq  van  Trlght  and  brother's  houses 2,000.00.00 

Jacob  Abramse,  shoemaker 2,500.00.00 

Jonas  Bartelse 3,000.00.00 

Jan  Harberdlng 2,000.00.00 


'                              OF  THE  State  of  "New  Yoek.  643 

Holland  Currency. 

Jacob  Theunisse  Kaj 8,000.00.00 

Jan  Lawrence 10,000.00.00 

Jan  Coly,  smith 1,200.00.00 

Jan  Shakerlv 1,400.00.00 

Jan  Joosten,  sloop  Captain 1,500.00.00 

Jacob  Leisler 15,000.00.00 

Jacob  Varravanger 8,000.00.00 

Lourens  vander  Spiegel 6,000.00.00 

LiTYcas  Andriese,  sloop  Captain 1,500.00.00 

Marten  Cregier,  Senior 2,000.00.00 

Matthjs  de  Haert 12,000.00.00 

:N'icolaes  de  Meyer , 50,000.00.00 

Xicolaes  Bayard 10,000.00.00 

Olof  Stevense  van  Cortlandt 45,000.00.00 

Pieter  Jacobse  Marius 5,000.00.00 

Ponlis  Kichard ,. 5,000.00.00 

Reynier  Willemse  Backer 5,000.00.00 

Stephanns  van  Cortlandt  . 5,000.00.00 

SjTnon  Janse  Bomyn  . 1,200.00.00 

Thomas  Lewis 6,000.00.00 

William  Beeckman 3,000.00.00 

Total fl.  520,900.00.00 


In  witness  of  the  truth  is  this  signed  by  the  abovementioned 
Commissioners.     Dated  IN'ew  Orange,  this  19th  February,  1674. 

(Signed),  Comelis  Steenwyck, 

Aegidius  Luyck, 
Cornelis  van  Ruyven, 
Jacob  Leiseler, 
Francoys  Rombouts, 
"Willem  Beeckman. 
—  Col.  Docs.  K  Y.  ii.  699,  TOO. 


1674 


644  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Charles  II.  to  the  States-General. 

1674,  March  31. 

High  and  Mighty  Lords,  Our  good  Friends,  Allies  and  Confederates: —  Whereas  by 
the  sixth  Article  of  the  Treaty  recently  concluded  between  us,  it  is  agreed  that  all 
lands,  islands,  towns,  ports,  castles  and  forts  that  one  of  the  parties  might  have 
taken  from  the  other  in  Europe  and  elsewhere  during  the  last  war,  should  be  re- 
stored on  the  one  side  and  the  other  to  the  Lord  and  Proprietor  who  was  in  posses- 
sion thereof  previous  to  the  said  war,  in  the  same  state  in  which  they  might  be  at 
the  time  of  the  publication  of  the  peace,  agreeable  to  said  Article;  "We  desire  that 
you  would  order  the  despatch  as  early  as  possible  of  the  necessary  instructions  to 
your  Governor  or  Commandant  of  the  place  called  New  York  in  the  West  Indies,  to 
surrender  it  to  Sieur  Edmund  Andros,  or  to  such  other  person  as  we  shall  depute 
thither,  with  all  Its  dependencies,  arms,  artillery,  ammunition  and  material  of  war, 
of  what  sort  soever  they  may  be,  and  in  the  same  state  as  they  were  at  the  time 
of  the  publication  of  the  peace;  Which  orders  you  will  please  give  to  Chevalier 
Sylvius  to  be  sent  hither,  as  we  have  ordered  said  Andros  to  proceed  to  the  said 
place  of  New  York  with  all  diligence,  and  to  take  possession  of  It,  for  us  and  in 
our  name.  We  rely  on  the  effects  of  your  friendship  and  Justice  on  this  occasion 
and  on  all  others  on  our  part  we  promise  you  the  like.  Praying  God  that  he  may- 
have  you.  High  and  Mighty  Lords,  our  good  friends,  allies  and  confederates,  In 
His  holy  keeping.     Written  at  Whitehall  this  last  day  of  March,  1674. 

Your  very  good  friend, 

(Signed),  Charles  R. 

'**j,^,..  —Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  II.  544. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

J  Rev.  Roelandus  Carpentier.* 

1674,  April  9th. 

Rev.  Visscherus,  Dep.  at  causas  Maritimas,  stated  tliat  the 
Honorable  Councilors  of  the  Admiralty,  had  called  before  them 
the  Deputies  of  this  Classis  on  certain  affairs,  and  made  known  to 
them  that  it  was  the  desire  of  their  Honors,  that  there  might  be 
called  by  this  Classis  a  minister  for  the  ship  of  his  excellency, 
Rear  Admiral  (Schout  by  nacht)  Engel  de  Ruyter.  There  was 
particularly  recommended  for  this  position.  Rev.  Roelandus  Car- 
pentier,  a  candidate  of  this  Classis,  who  appeared  before  the  As- 
sembly and  was  asked  whether  he  was  disposed  to  be  employed  as  a 
minister  (chaplain)  on  the  I^ational  fleet,  (navy).  He  showed 
himself  willing,  if  such  a  call  were  made  out  for  him,  to  accept 
it  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  Whereupon  after  he  had  preached  a 
sermon  in  the  presence  of  the  Assemblv  on  the  words  of  Paul  in 


•  Probably  a  relative  of  Eev.  Oasparus  Carpentler. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  645 

1674 

Rom.  8:31,  ^'  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us?  "  be  Vts 
unanimously  called  by  the  Classis  to  the  aforesaid  service.  And 
having  been  stante  Classi  examined  on  the  principal  articles  of 
the  Christian  religion,  in  so  far  as  could  be  done,  on  account  of 
the  shortness  of  tlie  time,  he  gave  such  satisfaction  that  he  was 
ordained  to  the  Sacred  Ministry,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  with 
the  laying  on  of  hands.  The  Depp,  ad  cans.  Maritimas,  will  fur- 
nish him  with  the  proper  papers  in  the  premises,  vii.  81.  xix. 
168. 

States-General  to  the  Governor  of  New  Netherland. 

(From  the  Register  of  Uitgegane  Brieven  of  the  States  General, 
in  the  Royal  Archives  at  the  Hague.) 

The  States,  etc. 

Honorable,  etc.  We  have  received  a  letter  from  the  King  of 
Great  Britain  dated  the  31st  of  March  last,  concerning  the  Resti- 
tution of  New  Netherland,  and  have  this  day  adopted  the  accom- 
panying resolution  thereupon,  which  we  send  you,  ordering  and 
commanding  you  precisely  to  regulate  and  comport  yourself  ac- 
cording to  the  tenor  thereof,  so  far  as  you  are  concerned,  without 
failing  in  any  manner  therein.  For  such  is  our  earnest  intention 
and  will.    Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  547. 

The  Hague,  16th  April,  1674. 

Order  Refusing  Domine  Fabricius  Permission  to  Baptize. 

Jacobus  Fabricius,  late  Lutheran  Minister,  requests  in  a  peti- 
tion, that  the  sentence  against  him  should  be  mitigated  so  far, 
that  he,  the  petitioner,  might  be  at  least  allowed  to  baptize,  if  he 
may  not  preach  and  act  as  minister.  The  answer  given  was,  that 
petitioner's  request  is  denied.     Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  512. 

April  18,  1674.  i 


1674 


646  Ecclesiastical  Records 


Case  Between  Wm.  Teller  and  Gideon  Schaets. 


At  a  Council,  18th  of  April,  1674. 


Read  and  considered  the  petition  of  Mary  Varlet,  wife  of  William  Teller,  setting 
forth  that  he  is  gravely  injured  by  a  certain  Judgement  pronounced  by  the  Court  of 
Wlllemstadt,  on  the  last,  between  the  Petitioner  and  Gideon  Schaets,  re- 

questing therefore  that  it  may  be  taken  into  consideration  and  the  papers  examined, 

It  is  ordered: 

Fiat  mandamus  In  case  of  appeal. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  11.  707. 

Punishment  eor  Disturbing  Public  Worship. 

At  a  Council,  18th  April,  1674.  Present  —  Governor-General  Anthony  Colve, 
Councillor  Cornells  Steenwyck,  Mr.  Cornells  van  Ruyven  and  Secretary  Nicolas 
Bayard,  assumed  Councillors,  and  Fiscal  Willem  Knyff. 

Whereas  Samuel  Forman,  residing  at  Oysterbay,  on  Long  Island,  at  present  a 
prisoner,  hath  dared  to  come,  some  time  ago,  into  this  city  without  permission  and  to 
make  great  noise  and  uproar  along  the  public  streets;  and  whereas  he  has  attempted 
to  disturb  the  public  peace,  and,  moreover,  presumed  to  come  into  the  church  on  the 
last  Sabbath,  and  there,  in  full  meeting,  during  divine  service,  to  make  great  out- 
cry, abusing  with  great  levity,  the  Word  of  God,  and  blaspheming  His  Holy  Name, 
all  which,  in  a  well  regulated  community,  can  in  no  wise  be  tolerated  but  ought  to 
be  punished  as  an  example  to  others;  therefore  the  Governor-General  of  New 
Netherland,  administering  justice  in  the  name  and  on  the  behalf  of  their  High 
Mightinesses,  the  Lords  States-General  of  the  United  Netherlands  and  his  Serene 
Highness  the  Prince  of  Orange,  having  heard  the  Fiscal's  demand  and  the  prisoner's 
acknowledgement,  have  condemned  and  sentenced,  do  hereby  condemn  and  sentence 
said  Samuel  Forman  to  be  brought  to  the  place  where  justice  is  usually  executed, 
there  to  be  severely  whipped  with  rods,  and  to  be  banished  forever  out  of  this* 
Province;  furthermore,  to  pay  the  costs  and  expenses  of  justice. 

Done  at  Fort  Willem  Hendrick,  the  19th  April,  1674. 

By  order  of  the  Governor-General 

and   Council  of  New   Netherland. 

(Signed)  N.  Bayard,  Secretary. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  705. 

Regarding  the  Maintenance  of  the  Minister  of  Jamaica, 

L.I. 

Mesr  Byarde  —  Much  respected  Sir.  After  my  servis  presented  unto  you  these 
are  in  all  love  to  request  you  to  do  us  that  Kindness  as  to  let  our  petition  wee  left 
with  you  be  presented  to  our  Honorable  Governour  and  his  Council  and  to  procure 
us  an  answer  to  that  perticular  which  conserns  the  mayntenans  of  our  minister  soe 
that  as  hitherto  he  hath  been  mainetained  that  is  to  say  by  the  towne  in  generall 
every  man  paying  according  to  proportion  though  they  differ  in  judgment  or  would 
upon  any  other  pretens  deny  payment  that  then  as  formerly  wee  might  by  au- 
thority take  by  destres  or  execution  soe  much  of  such  persons  estates  as  is  there 
proportion  to  pay  as  hitherto  hath  been  done  in  such  cases  and  as  wee  conseive 
was  promised  by  the  generals  when  wee  took  the  oath  of  our  offises  for  there  are 
two  men  iu  our  towne  which  doth  deny  to  pay  theire  proportion  and  giveth  such 
threatening  speeches  that  there  is  hardly  any  perswadeing  of  any  one  to  goe  with 


OF  THE  State  of  jN'ew  York.  647 

the  raarshall  to  assist  him  in  the  execution  of  this  oflSs  for  they  have  a  consaite 

that  unless  wee  have  an  order  from  the  Governor  to  take  it  by  destres  of  every 

one  that  wee  cannot  doe  It  of  ourselves  by  the   power  wee  have  allready  there 

being  somthing  sed  in  our  Instructions  that  we  are  not  to  maintaine  any  other  way 

of  Church  Government  then  what  Is  according  to  the  senod  of  dort,  now  he  Is  noe 

ways  repugnant  to  that  senod,  but  if  hee  were,  we  ought  to  pay  him  for  the  time 

past;  nowe  my  humble  request  to  you  is  that  you  would  be  pleased  to  send  mee  by 

this  Bearer  Mesr.  Jonas  Woode  an  order  from  the  Governor  that  those  two  men 

namely  Humphrey  Underbill  and  William  Creede  with  any  other  that  shall  refuse 

to  pay  shall  be  compelled  to  pay  by  authority  the  which  if  you  will  doe  I  shall. 

thinlve  myselfe  much  ingaged  to  you  and  I  hope  it  may  prevent  a  great  deale  of 

truble  which  otherwise  I  feare  may  arise  thus  in  haste  commending  you  to  God,  1 

rest  hopeing  to  heare  from  you  by  this  bearer  your  friend  redy  to  serve  you  In 

what  I  may. 

Nathaniall  Denton. 

—  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  ill.  120,  121, 

From  Jamaica  alies  Rustdorpe 

this  9th  of  May,  1674. 

Addressed,  for  Mesr.  Nicholas  Byarde, 

Secretary  at  New  Oraniae  These. 

Petition"  of  Widow  Megapolensis  to  Gov.-General   Colve 

AND  Council. 

1674,  June  16. 

On  the  petition  of  widow  Megapolensis,  etc.,  the  following  recommendation  Is 
granted  her: 

Whereas  we  are  informed  that  a  considerable  sum  is  yet  due  to  the  widow  of 
deceased  Domine  Megapolensis  and  to  Domine  Samuel  Megapolensis,  late  ministers 
in  this  city,  both  from  the  city,  and  others,  for  earned  salary,  requesting  that  the 
same  may  be  paid  her  the  earlier  because  said  widow  is  now  about  to  return  to. 
Patria;  therefore  those  of  the  W.  Court  of  this  city  are  recommended,  on  her  peti- 
tion, to  examine  the  justice  of  said  debts,  and  where  the  fault  lies;  why  said  earned 
salaries  are  still  unpaid,  and  further,  if  possible,  to  devise  some  expedient  whereby 
said  arrears  may  be  paid  and  discharged. 

Whereas  It  has  been  represented  to  us  that  the  widow  of  deceased  Domine 
Megapolensis  and  Domine  Samuel  Megapolensis,  late  ministers  in  this  city,  have 
still  due  to  each  of  them  for  earned  salary  from  the  town  of  Bergen,  the  sum  of  one 
hundred  florins,  wampum  value,  requesting  that  the  sum  may  be  paid  her,  the 
rather  as  said  widow  is  on  the  eve  of  going  to  Patria;  therefore,  the  magistrates  of 
the  aforesaid  town  are,  on  her  presented  petition,  recommended  to  use  all  possible 
means  that  said  arrears  may  be  forthwith  paid  and  discharged. 

Burgomaster  Egidius  Luyck  is  hereby  required  and  ordered  to  demand  an  account 
from  Jan  Corsen,  the  steward,  of  the  provisions  received  by  him  as  steward  since 
the  10th  of  October,  1673,  to  the  31st  of  May  last,  from  said  Burgomaster  Luyck 
for  the  use  of  the  garrison;  and  further,  to  settle  and  close  said  account  with  him 
and  thereof  to  report  as  soon  as  possible. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  722. 

1674,  June  27. 

On  petition  presented  by  Mr.  Cornells  van  Ruyven,  on  behalf  of  the  widow  of 
deceased  Domine  Johannis  Megapolensis  and  of  Domine  Samuel  megapolensis,  re- 
questing that  what  still  is  due  them  for  earned  salary  both  from  the  West  India 
Company,  from  this  city  and  the  town  of  Bergen,  may  be  ordered  to  be  handed  and 
paid  him,  etc.. 


1674 


1674 


648  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Ordered  by  the  Governor-General  of  New  Netherland: 

As  regards  the  claim  against  the  estate  of  the  West  India  Company,  the  petitioner 
Is  referred  to  the  commissioners  appointed  on  the  21st  instant  for  the  settlement 
of  Its  books  and  payment  of  its  debts;  regarding  the  debt  of  the  city  and  of  the 
town  of  Bergen,  it  is  already  recommended  to  the  respective  Courts,  in  order  that 
some  means  may  be  found,  if  possible,  to  pay  the  same. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  726. 

Court  Minutes  of  'N'Ew  Amsterdam. 

Arrears  of  Salary  due  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  deed. 

1674,  June  28. 

On  the  petition  of  Mr.  Cornells  van  Ruyven  requesting  in  substance  for  Domlne 
Samuel  Megapolensis*  and  mother  Megapolensis,  payment  of  the  arrears  of  the 
Minister's  salary  etc.  Apostilled.  That  they,  the  petitioners,  shall  come  in  concur- 
rence with  others,  the  old  creditors  of  the  City  of  that  time,  for  what  the  City  is 
found  indebted  to  them,  to  be  paid  the  arrears  whenever  means  are  found;  and  a* 
regards  the  debts  of  particular  persons,  the  petitioners  have  their  recourse  against 
them. —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  7.  p.  104. 

Commission  of  Andros  to  be  Governor  of  New  England,  I^ew 

York  and  'N'ew  Jersey. 

Instructions  for  Governor  Andross. 

1674,  July  1. 


2.  When  you  shall  be  arrived  at  New  Yorke  you  shall  take  possession  thereof  In 
my  name  from  those  Dutch  who  have  lately  seated  themselves  there  and  are 
obliged  by  ye  Article  of  His  Majesty's  last  Treaty  of  Peace  with  ye  States 
Generall  of  ye  United  Provinces  to  surrender  it  in  ye  same  condicon  that  it  was  at 
ye  time  of  ye  publication  of  ye  said  Treaty. 

3.  Being  possessed  of  New  Yorke  (and  In  vertue  thereof,  of  ye  territories  there- 
unto belonging)  you  shall  by  all  possible  meanes  satisfy  ye  Inhabitants,  as  well 
Natives  as  Straungers  as  English  that  your  intention  is  not  to  disturbe  them  In 
their  possessions,  but  on  ye  contrary  that  your  coming  is  for  their  proteccon  and 
benefitt,  for  ye  encouragement  of  Planters  and  Plantations  and  ye  improvement  of 
trade  and  commerce,  and  for  ye  preservation  of  religion  justice  and  equity  amongst 
you. 

4.  And  ye  better  to  perswade  ye  Inhabitants  of  ye  sincerity  of  your  Intencons 
herein,  you  are  in  ye  first  place  to  take  care  that  a  strict  discipline  be  kept  &mong 
ye  Soldiers  and  Officers  under  your  Command,  severely  punishing  any  disorderly  or 
debauced  proceedings  among  them,  thereby  to  avoid  all  cause  of  Complaints  from 
ye  Inhabitants  and  at  ye  same  time  to  invite  them  by  your  example  to  live  soberly 
and  discreetly  In  their  severall  vocacons. 

5.  You  are  not  to  molest  or  vex  any  person  of  ye  Inhabitants  there,  upon  pretence 
of  their  having  lately  dealt  treacherously  in  assisting  Eveson  or  his  party  In  taking 
ye  Fort  or  in  giveing  him  intelligence  of  ye  condicon  thereof,  thereby  to  invite  him 


•  A  son  of  Domine  John  Megapolensis,  born  in  1634,  his  father  sent  him  to 
Harvard  College  in  1655  to  study  the  classics  and  English,  and  in  1658  to  Utrecht, 
Holland,  to  prepare  himself  for  the  ministry  of  the  Reformed  Church.  Then  he 
studied  medicine  at  Leyden,  and  having  been  licensed  as  Minister  at  Amsterdam  In 
1659  he  came  back  to  New  York  to  assist  his  aged  father.  He  was  one  of  the 
regular  ministers  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  New  York  from  1664  to  1668,  and  a 
Commissioner  to  prepare  the  terms  of  surrender  in  1664.  In  1669  he  returned  to 
Holland,  where  he  first  became  pastor  of  his  father's  first  Church  at  Wieringer- 
waerd,  and  died  in  1700  as  Pastor  Emeritus  of  the  Scotch  Church  at  Dordreght, 
where  he  had  served  since  1685. —  Corwin,  Manual  Refd.  Church. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  649 

to  the  attempt  (except  such  person  haveing  offended  shall  prove  to  be  an  English- 
man, in  which  case  onely  you  are  to  proceed  against  him  to  ye  forfeiture  of  his 
estate,  or  as  ye  law  shall  determine)  But  if  you  shall  find  any  of  ye  Dutch  (or 
■other  forreigners)  inhabitants  have  been  active  in  this  matter,  you  shall  take  care 
to  observe  them  more  circumspectly  hereafter,  and  if  they  be  posted  in  any  place 
of  strength  where  the  continuance  of  persons  of  doubtfull  affections  may  be 
dangerous,  you  shall  by  all  lawfuU  means  induce  them  to  remove  to  other  places  as 
beneflciall  to  them  but  less  hazardous  to  ye  publick  safety. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ill. 
216. 


1674 


Under  the  sub-division  of  '*  Rates  for  the  Customs  of  New  York  "  in  these  In- 
structions, occurs  the  following,  relating  to  Religion: — 

11.  You  shall  permit  all  persons  of  what  Religion  soever,  quietly  to  inhabitt  within 
the  precincts  of  your  jurlsdlccon,  without  giving  them  any  disturbance  or  disquiet 
whatsoever,  for  or  by  reason  of  their  differing  opinions  In  matter  of  Religion;  Pro- 
vided they  give  no  disturbance  to  the  publique  peace,  nor  doe  molest  or  disquiet 
others  in  the  free  exercise  of  their  religion. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  III.  218. 

Complaint  Against  the  Rev.  Jacob  Fabritius. 

New  Orange,  July  17,  1674. 

The  Hr.  Schout  de  Mill  Pit.  against  Jacobus  Ffabritius,  Prisoner  and  Deft.  The 
Hr.  Pit.  says  that  the  Deft,  contrary  to  the  order  of  this  Court  came  by  force  on 
the  11th  of  July  last  into  the  house  of  Annetie  Cornells  his  Wife,  and  brought  In 
there  a  chest  against  her  will  and  consent;  pushed  a  certain  woman  named  Barentle 
with  her  spinning  wheel  off  the  road  and  moreover,  when  he  was  warned  to  keep 
still  or  that  the  Schout  should  otherwise  have  to  be  brought,  he  gave  for  answer, 
He  was  tired  of  the  Schout  and  Burgomaster,  and  when  the  Schout  came  himself 
with  order  to  remove  him,  the  Deft,  he  resisted  the  Soldiers,  pushing  him  Pit.  on 
the  breast  with  many  other  evil  acts.  The  Hr.  Pit.  therefore  demands  that  the 
Offender  shall  at  least  be  banished  forever  out  of  this  City's  jurisdiction  or  other- 
wise punished. according  to  his  deserts  as  a  person  unworthy  to  live  in  a  well  regu- 
lated Burghery  haveing  committed  divers  offences  against  the  laws  and  ordinances 
of  our  Fatherland;  with  the  Costs  incurred  and  still  to  accrue. 

Burgomasters  and  Schepens  having  heard  at  length  the  demand  and  complaint  of 
the  Hr.  Officer  together  with  the  answer  and  excuse  of  the  Prisoner,  and  having 
seen  and  considered  the  depositions  on  both  sides,  condemn  Magister  Jacobus 
Fabritius  in  a  fine  of  one  hundred  florins  for  the  benefit  of  the  Schout,  and  he  shall 
merely  ask  the  Court's  pardon  for  the  Insults  and  Injuries  committed  against  It  at 
divers  times  although  he  deserved  to  be  more  severely  punished:  Further  their 
Worships  persist  by  their  last  rendered  judgement  between  said  Ffabritius  and  his 
wife  Annetie  Cornelissen  dated  8th  of  June  last,  with  this  explanation  that  said 
Fabritius  sliail  not  presume  to  come  to  his  said  wife  without  her  consent  or  to  give 
her  any  trouble.  Further,  paying  the  costs  incurred  herein. —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  111. 
243.  1 

Petition  of  Church   of  'N'ew  York  for   Confirmation   of 
Their  Title  to  the  Church  in  the  Fort,  1674,  July  23rd. 

On  petition  of  the  Consistory  (Kerckenraat)  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Christian 
Religion  in  New  Orange  with  the  Church  Masters  (Kerckmeesters)  of  that  city, 
requesting  in  substance  confirmation  to  them  of  the  Church  standing  in  Fort  Wll- 
lem  Hendrick,  which  it  was  agreed  on  the  surrender  of  this  Province  in  the  year 
1664,  should  with  other  public  buildings  continue  to  be  employed  for  the  same  pur- 


650 


Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 


1674 


pose  as  they  llien  were  used;  as  more  fully  appears  by  the  second  article  of  the 
Capitulation. 

Ordered: 

Flat  confirmatio,  and  a  deed  in  form  shall  be  granted  to  the  Petitioners  In  the 
premises. —  Col,  Docs.  N.  Y.  il.  730. 

Got.   Colve  confirms  the  title  of  the  Consistory  to  the  Church  in  the  Fort,   July 

23,  1674. 


Anthony  Colve,  on  behalf  of  Their 
High  Mightinesses,  the  Lords  States- 
General  of  the  United  Netherlands,  and 
of  His  Serene  Highness,  the  Prince  of 
Orange,  etc.,  Governor  General  of  New 
Netherland.  to  all  who  may  see  this  or 
hear  it  read.  Greeting: 

Whereas  the  Rev.  Consistory  of  the 
Reformed  Christian  Religion  in  the  City 
of  New  Orange,  with  the  Church  Mas- 
ters of  the  said  city,  have  requested  by 
a  petition,  which  petition  was  granted 
on  the  7th,  that  they  may  have,  keep, 
enjoy  and  use,  as  they  have  done  in 
former  times  until  now,  for  the  exercise 
of  divine  worship,  the  Church,  built  and 
standing  in  this  Fort  William  Hendrick; 

Therefore,  by  virtue  of  the  commis- 
sion granted  to  me  as  aforesaid;  I  have 
given  and  confirmed,  as  I  herewith  give 
and  confirm,  to  the  aforesaid  Consistory, 
and  their  congregation  in  this  city,  full 
use  of  the  said  Church,  for  the  exer- 
cise of  divine  service  as  aforesaid;  and 
further  grant  to  them  full  consent,  lib- 
erty and  privilege  to  hold  services  in 
the  said  Church  on  weekdays  as  w'eil 
as  on  Sundays  without  any  molesta- 
tion, as  it  has  been  done  formerly, 
charging  and  commanding  all  and  every- 
body to  whom  this  shall  be  shown,  or 
whom  it  may  in  any  way  concern,  to 
allow  the  said  Reverend  Consistory  and 
their  congregation  the  unmolested  use 
of  the  said  Church,  in  accordance  with 
these  presents. 

Done  at  Fort  William  Hendrick,  in 
New  Netherland,  on  the  2Srd  of  July, 
1674. 

A,  Colve. 


Anthony  Colve,  wegens  haere  hoog 
Moogendheden,  de  heere  Staten  gener- 
ael  der  vereenigde  Nederlanden  en  syn 
doorluchtige  hoogheld  den  heere  Prince 
van  Orangie,  etc.  Governor  Generael 
van  Nieuw  Nederlandt,  alien  dengeenen 
die  desen  sullen  sien,  ofte  hooren 
leesen,   Saluyt: 

Alsoo  de  Eerwaerde  Kerkenraet  van 
de  gereformeerde  Christelyke  Religie 
der  steden  N.  Orangie  geassisteert  met 
de  kerkmeesters  derselven  steeden  pr. 
request  hebben  gerequesteert  en  by  ap- 
pointment van  den  7  deser  oock  is  gecon- 
senteert,  dat  denselven  sullen  hebben, 
behouden  genieten  ende  gebruyken, 
gelyck  deselve  in  voorgaende  tyde  tot 
nu  toe  hebben  gehadt,  tot  oefteninge 
van  de  godsdienst  "t  volcomen  gebruyk 
van  de  kerk,  gebout,  staende  in  desen 
ffortressen   Willem   Hendrick; 

Soo  ist  dat  uyt  Kraght  van  de  Com- 
missie  in  qualetie  als  vooren  aen  my 
verleent  Aen  wel  gemelte  Eerwaerde 
Kerkenraet  en  des  selfs  gemelten  alhier 
ter  steden  hebben  vergunt  ende  gecon- 
firmeert  geiyck  aen  deselve  vergunne 
ende  coriSrmeert  is  mits  desen  volco- 
men gebruyk  vangemelte  Kerk  tot  het 
oeffenen  van  den  Godtsdienst  as  voor- 
schreven  is  gevende  aen  de  selve  by 
desen  volcomen  Consent,  Vrydom  en 
Prevylegie  omme  so  wel  ter  weeke  als 
des  Sondaghs  inde  selve  Kerk  haare 
Godtsdiensten  als  voor  desen  sonder 
eenige  Verhinderinge  te  plegen;  Last- 
^nde  ende  bevelende  alle  ende  een  eyder 
die  desen  sal  werden  vertoout  ofte 
eenigsins  Concerneeren  magh  de  wel- 
gemelte  Eerwaerde  Kerkenraet  ende 
des  selfs  gemeente  't  gebruyk  van 
gemelte  Kerk  volgens  den  teneur  deses 
ongemolesteert  te  laaten  genieten. 

Actum  Fort  Wm,  Hendrick,  in  Nieuw 
Nederlant  a  dy  23  July,  1674, 

A.  Colve. 

—  From  "  Register  van  Transporten» 
Begonnen  29  November  Ao.  1673,  No.  3, 
p.  46  (Col.  MSS.  Vol.  xxiii.  f.  433.) 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  651 

Merchants  Trading  to  New  Netherland  to  the  Admiralty 

AT  Amsterdam. 

To  the  Honorable  Mighty  Lords  Deputies  at  the  Admiralty  residing  In  Amsterdam. 

Honorable  Mighty  Lords:  The  undersigned  committee  from  the  New  Nether- 
land  Merchants,  having  understood  that  their  High  Mightinesses,  by  their  letter 
of  the  5th  instant,  request  your  opinion  on  the  security  which  should  and  ought 
to  be,  in  fairness,  requested  and  required  from  the  Crown  of  England  for  the 
inhabitants  of  New  Netherland  on  the  restitution  of  that  country,  have,  on  your 
recommendation,  prepared  their  Observations  thereupon. 

Before  explaining  themselves,  they  have  deemed  it  their  duty  humbly  to  pray 
you  that,  as  they  consider  how  importantly  profitable  that  country  is  to  this  State, 
as  the  New  Netherland  Merchants  have  fully  remonstrated,  you  would  please  to 
direct  matters  so  that  their  High  Mightinesses  will  be  pleased  to  have  the  good- 
ness to  discover  some  means  whereby  his  Majesty  of  England  may  be  prevailed 
on  to  relinquish  the  promised  restitution  for  the  behoof  of  this  State,  either  In 
exchange  or  for  a  sum  of  money,  according  as  their  High  Mightinesses,  in  their 
profound  wisdom,  shall  judge  most  beneficial  for  this  State;  and,  were  this  to 
succeed,  to  stipulate  from,  and  condition  with,  the  Crown  of  England,  if  neces- 
sary, such  security  as  their  High  Mightinesses  contemplate  herein.  But,  if  hi8 
Majesty  were  not  to  be  disposed  to  that  relinquisment  by  any  devisable  means, 
and  if,  accordingly,  New  Netherland  must  be  restored  to  him,  the  undersigned 
committee  think,  under  correction,  that  their  High  Mightinesses,  considering  with 
paternal  commisseration,  the  miseries  and  troubles  to  which,  in  consequence  of 
the  restitution  of  that  country,  Its  inhabitants  are  exposed,  who,  through  great 
attachment  for  their  High  Mightinesses'  government,  have  zealously  exerted 
themselves  for  the  success  of  their  arms,  are,  in  duty  bound,  emphatically  to 
oblige  his  said  Majesty  not  to  molest,  punish  nor  injure  those  inhabitants  for  the 
aforesaid  cause  nor  for  any  other,  for  anything  whatsoever  they  might  have  done 
directly  or  indirectly  during  this  war  with  England  against  his  said  Majesty, 
nothing  excepted,  but  that  everything  shall  be  for  all  times  forgiven  and  for- 
gotten, to  all  appearance,  as  if  it  had  never  happened,  nor  occurred. 

Also,  that  the  inhabitants  there,  as  well  as  those  of  this  country,  shall  remain 
in  possession  of  their  houses,  lands,  bouweries  and  all  other  goods  and  rights 
which  they  have  In  yonder  country;  and  if  dispossessed  of  any  of  them  during  or 
previous  to  this  war,  that  all  such  shall  be  restored  to  them,  with  full  power,  so 
long  as  they  remain  there,  to  trade  and  barter,  to  sell  or  exchange  their  goods,  to 
collect  payment  of  their  debts,  and  for  all  of  them  to  settle,  contract,  prosecute 
and  obtain  judgement  in  all  things  with  the  same  right,  privilege  and  freedom  as 
the  English  inhabitants  there.  Likewise,  that  the  Dutch  inhabitants  there  shall, 
at  all  times,  be  at  liberty  to  transport  themselves,  with  their  goods  and  slaves, 
from  that  country  whithersoever  they  please,  free  and  unhindered,  and  that  the 
Commander  who  shall  then  be  over  that  Colony  in  his  Majesty's  behalf,  shall 
give  proper  passports  for  such  purpose  to  such  departing  Dutch  inhabitants 
within  two  or  three  weeks  after  their  request  has  been  made;  that,  also,  the 
Colonie  of  Rensselaerswyck  shall  be  restored  to  the  owners,  with  all  such  rights 
and  freedoms  as  they  have  enjoyed  and  possessed  from  the  foundation  thereof. 

Further  that  the  inhabitants  on  both  sides,  from  here  to  New  Netherland  and 
thence  back  to  this  country,  shall  be  at  liberty,  free  and  unmolested,  to  go  and 
trade  without  being  obliged,  in  the  outward  or  homeward  voyages,  to  touch  at 
and  pay  duty  in  Old  England  or  any  other  place  under  his  Majesty's  jurisdiction, 
which  trade  and  resort  his  Majesty  did  grant  to  some  ships  about  tTie  year  1668. 
But  In  case  his  Majesty  object  to  grant  it,  and  Insist  that  the  outward  or  home- 
ward bound  ships  must  touch  at  and  pay  duty  in  Old  England,  we,  the  under- 
signed committee,  humbly  request  that  his  Majesty  may  be  disposed  to  appoint 
some  person  or  persons  in  this  country  to  whom  the  ships  going  to  New  Nether- 
land or  returning  thence,  may  pay  the  King's  customs  and  duties,  and  thus  be 
relieved  and  excused  from  touching  at  or  paying  duty  in  Old  England. 


1674 


1674 


652  Ecclesiastical  Records 

But  should  free  trade  be  considered  unsuccessful,  In  such  case  the  Dutch  inhab- 
itants, who  in  the  first  instance,  will  have  remained  in  New  Netherland,  and 
who,  afterwards,  contrary  to  the  concluded  agreement  on  experiencing  ill-usage, 
may  resolve  to  depart  thence,  and  shall  be  in  want  of  ships  for  their  conveyance, 
their  High  Mightinesses  might  insist  on  sending  ships  thither  for  the  conveyance 
of  the  inhabitants,  on  such  conditions  as  his  Majesty  hath  agreed  to  the  trans- 
portation of  his  inhabitants  in  Surinam  by  the  IVth  Article  of  the  Treaty  of  Peace 
concluded  at  Westminster. 

Finally,  that  the  Treaty  or  Agreement  whereby  New  Netherland  was  surrendered 
to  Mr.  Nikols  for  the  Duke  of  York  or  Crown  of  England  in  the  year  1664,*  shall 
remain  valid  and  be  faithfully  executed,  except  in  so  far  as  it  may  be  or  is  modi- 
fied or  altered  by  any  subsequent  agreement.  But  the  undersigned  submit  all  the 
aforesaid  to  your  Honorable  Mightinesses'  wise  judgement  and  correction. 

Wherewith,  Honorable,  Mighty  Lords,  may  God  preserve  your  persons  and  bless, 
prosper  and  render  successful  your  administration  in  this  intended  work,  which 
is  the  sincere  wish  of 

Your  Honorable  Mightinesses' 
Humble  servants, 

(Signed),  Gerart  Hamel, 

John  Baptist  van  Renselaer, 

Nicolaus  Gouverneur. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  541,  542. 


Duke  of   York  to  Governor  Andros  in^  Favor  of  the  Rev. 

Mr.  Van  Renselaer. 

Major  Andros: — 

Nlchalaus  Van  Renseslaer  having  made  his  humble  request  unto  me,  that  I  would 
recommend  him  to  be  Minister  of  one  of  the  Dutch  churches  In  New  York  or  New 
Albany  when  a  vacancy  shall  happen;  whereunto  I  have  consented.  1  do  hereby 
desire  you  to  signify  the  same  unto  the  parishioners  at  yt  (place)  wherein  I  shall 
looke  upon  their  compliance  as  a  mark  of  their  respect  and  good  Inclination 
towards  me.     I  am,  etc. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  lil.  225. 

23  July  1674. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam.  I 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1674,  July  26tli. 
Rev.  William  Van  Nieuwenhuysen  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Reverend,  Pious,  Very  Learned  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  Christ : — 

I  have,  since  my  arrival  here,  constantly  sought  opportunity  to 
write  to  you  particularly,  but  have  found  little  to  communicate. 
In  July,  1673,  we  made  you  acquainted  with  the  sympathy  and 
grief  we  felt,  concerning  the  breach  of  the  daughter  of  Zion,  in 
our  beloved  Fatherland,  caused  by  traitors  within,  and  the  in- 
vasion of  the  country  by  the  French.     We  also  acquainted  you 

•  This  included  articles  on  Religion. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  653 

with  the  death  of  the  Kev.  Samuel  Drisius,  one  of  the  ministers 
of  this  church,  who  went  to  rest  in  the  Lord  on  the  18th  of  April 
of  that  year,  (1673).  He  had  been  appointed  by  the  late  English 
Governor  here,  (Lovelace)  about  the  time  of  my  arrival,  (Or;  ap- 
pointed by  the  English  Governor  here,  who  had  just  arrived,)  to 
the  service  of  the  English  church.  He  had  been  afflicted  for  a 
considerable  time  with  a  considerable  loss  of  mental  power  and 
memory.  I  fear  that  the  letter  referred  to  has  not  come  to  your 
hands,  as  it  is  reported  that  some  of  you  are  dissatisfied  with  our 
neglect,  as  they  term  it,  in  writing.  We  greatly  rejoice  in  the 
treaty  of  peace  between  our  country  and  the  King  of  England; 
but  we  would  have  still  more  greatly  rejoiced,  if  this  country  had 
not  been  restored  to  the  crown  (of  England,)  as  has  been  done  by 
virtue  of  the  sixth  article  of  the  treaty.  iN'ot  less  pleasant  to  us, 
was  the  intelligence  that  it  had  pleased  the  Almighty  God  to  put 
his  hook  in  the  nose  of  the  arrogant  French  Sennacherib,  (Louis 
XIV.)  and  has  thus  stopped  the  desolations  of  his  dearly  bought 
church.  Also  thereby  God  has  extended  his  special  protection  over 
several  cities  in  particular,  and  over  our  whole  Fatherland  in  gen- 
eral, against  the  wanton  and  the  scandalous,  the  cruel  and  the 
murderous,  the  hellish  incendiarism  and  the  robberies,  of  this  child 
of  Antichrist.  We  trust  that  this  (treaty)  may  bring  the  end  so 
long  desired.  Neither  can  we  doubt,  but  that  by  these  things  the 
light  of  the  Gospel  will  be  made  to  shine  much  more  brightly  from 
the  candle-stick  of  our  Fatherland ;  that  new  opportunities  will  be 
procured  for  many  of  our  fellow-laborers,  belonging  either  to  the 
Classis  of  your  Reverences,  or  to  some  other  Classis,  to  fulfill  their 
duties  with  joy,  without  fear  of  persecution  as  heretofore;  for 
when  they  and  their  families  were  driven  out  and  persecuted,  their 
churches  and  their  dwellings  burned,  their  congregations  scattered, 
they  were  made  a  spectacle  of  grief  to  all  christians. 

The  church  in  this  place  flourishes  under  God's  blessing,  as 
much  as  we  could  hope  for,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  during 
the  last  four  weeks,  in  apprehension  of  a  change  of  governors,  cer- 


1674 


1674 


654  Ecclesiastical  Records 

tain  of  our  members  have  moved  away,  as  some  of  your  Rev.  Body 
will  have  learned  from  the  letters  of  dismission  exhibited  to  you 
bv  them.  Our  church  consists  of  between  four  and  five  hundred 
members ;  of  whom,  we  can  assure  your  Rev.  Body,  without  boast- 
ing, more  than  one  hundred  have  been  received  under  our  ministry. 
I  have  preached  constantly  three  times  a  week,  on  Sundays  and 
Wednesdays,  for  which  duties  God  has  graciously  strengthened 
me.  If  we  remain  under  the  government  of  the  States  (of  Hol- 
land), it  would  be  well  to  send  over  a  sober-minded  man  as  a  col- 
league to  me;  but  if  this  cannot  take  place,  I  hope  to  fulfill  my 
ministry  faithfully,  as  heretofore.  Since  my  residence  here  three 
hundred  and  seven  children  have  been  baptized  by  me  in  our 
church,  and  fifty  couples  have  been  publicly  married  by  me  be- 
longing to  the  congregation.  Hence  if  nothing  unpropitious  oc- 
curs in  our  government,  a  great  increase  in  the  church  and  in  this 
community  may  be  expected. 

We  have  no  other  sect  here  except  the  Lutherans.  We  think  that 
the  late  English,  as  well  as  the  present  Dutch  government,  allow 
them  too  much  liberty.  Yet  they  do  us  no  harm,  while  we  oc- 
casionally gain  a  few  from  their  small  number. 

We  have  to  propose  two  questions  on  subjects  brought  before  us 
during  the  late  English  rule  here,  and  which  may  again  arise,  if 
we  are  brought  under  the  government  of  their  laws. 

1.  May  I  be  allowed  to  administer  the  sacrament  of  Holy  Bap- 
tism to  children,  without  a  sermon  preceding,  and  not  in  the 
church  but  in  a  private  house,  and  in  the  presence  of  only  a  few 
persons  ? 

.2.  Am  I  at  liberty  to  marry  persons  outside  of  the  church 
building,  in  my  own  house  or  other  houses,  without  the  publica- 
tion of  the  banns,  and  only  on  a  license  and  order  from  the  Gover- 
nor ? 

I  have  always  refused  to  do  so  in  such  cases,  although  it  made 
the  English  very  bitter  against  me,  for  I  believed  to  do  otherwise 
would  be  directly  contrary  to  the  instructions  received  from  your 


OF  THE  State  of  !N^ew  York.  655 

1674 

Rev.  Body,  and  against  the  general  Cliurcli  Order.  Therefore  I 
could  not  do  these  things  with  a  good  conscience.  I  therefore  re- 
quest your  advice  on  these  points,  to  be  forwarded  by  the  earliest 
opportunity,  promising  to  regulate  myself  entirely  thereby. 

I  commend  my  present  pastoral  charge,  as  well  as  myself  to  your 
care,  as  heretofore,  beseeching  you  also,  that  in  case  of  a  change 
in  the  government,  your  care  may  continue,  and  be  increased, 
rather  than  diminished.  Meantime  I  commend  your  persons  and 
families  to  God  and  the  word  of  his  grace,  praying  that  you  may 
earnestly  preach  the  Word  unto  the  prosperity  of  Jerusalem.  May 
he  bless  your  Classical  and  other  ecclesiastical  labors  to  the  glory 
of  his  Great  I^ame,  the  edification  of  his  chosen,  and  the  winning 
of  many  souls  to  Christ;  and  may  he  deliver  his  spiritual  Israel 
out  of  all  their  troubles. 

With  cordial  salutations  to  you,  individually,  and  collectively 
as  a  Classis,  and  in  the  name  of  our  consistory  and  congregation, 
I  remain,  Reverend,  Pious  and  Very  Learned  Fathers  and  Breth- 
ren, 

Your  Reverences  servant  and  fellow-laborer  in  Christ, 
Wilhelmus  Van  Nieuwenhuysen, 
^ew  Orange,  Ecclesiastes  ibidem, 

in  l^ew  I\"etherland 
July  26,  1674. 

(This  letter  was  written  during  the  brief  recovery  of  i^ew  York 
bv  the  Dutch,  which  lasted  onlv  about  a  vear.  The  name  of  Xew 
York  was  changed  to  l\ew  Orange,  1673-4.) 

Order  to  Put  the  Duke's  Laws  [of  Feb.  28,  1665]  ix  Force 

IN  New  York. 

Whereas  there  are  hereunto  annexed  certaine  Laws  established  by  authority  of 
His  Majesty's  Letters  Patents  granted  to  me  and  digested  into  one  volume  for  ye 
publique  use  of  all  ye  territories  in  America  under  my  Government  collected  out  of  • 
ye  severall  laws  in  other  His  Majesty's  American  Colonies  and  Plantacons,  upon 
perusall  and  consideracon  of  which  it  appears  that  there  may  be  an  occasion  to 
make  some  alteracon  or  amendments  in  some  particular  clauses  thereof;  These  are 
therefore   to  authorize  and   require  you   to   put   in  execucon  ye   said   laws,    except 


1674 


65 G  Ecclesiastical  Eecokds 

such  as  shall  have  apparent  inconveniences  in  them;  and  after  your  settle- 
ment at  New  York,  with  ye  advice  and  helpe  of  your  Councell  carefully  to 
peruse  and  consider  ye  same,  and  If  you  finde  it  necessary  for  ye  ease  and  benefitt 
of  ye  people  and  ye  good  of  my  service  to  make  any  alteracons,  addicons  or  amend- 
ments in  ye  said  laws,  you  are  with  ye  first  opportunity  to  represent  ye  same  unto 
me,  to  ye  end  you  may  receive  from  me  such  orders  and  direccons  as  shall  be  nec- 
essary for  authorizeing  you  to  put  ye  same  in  execucon.  And  for  soe  doeing  ys, 
shall  be  your  Warrant.  Given  under  my  hand  at  Windsor  ys.  6.  day  of  August 
1674.— Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  iii.  226,  227. 
To  Major  Andros  my  Lt.  and 
Governor  of  New  York. 

[These  Duke's  Laws  were  adopted  at, Hempstead,  L.  I.  in  Feb.  1665,  especially 
for  Long  Island;  but  are  now  extended  over  all  New  York.  See  items  on  Religion,, 
under  date  of  Feb.  28,  1665.] 

Action"  on  the  Labadists  Sent  to  Xew  York. 

1674,  Sept.  21st. 

The  Extract  from  the  (action  of  the)  States  of  Zeeland  on  the- 
case  of  Jacob  Coelman,  minister  at  Sluys  in  Vlaenderen,  which, 
was  taken  ad  notam  when  some  Coelmanites  came  into  this  city 
and  neighboring  villages.     Minntes  of  Ch.  of  ^ew  York,  English 
translation;  Lib.  A.  45-47. 

The  States  of  Zeeland,  having  now  for  a  long  time,  waited 
patiently  for  Jacobus  Coelman,  minister  at  Sluys,  in  Vlaenderen,. 
to  submit  to  their  authority,  and  to  return  to  the  use  of  the  Forms, 
as  well  for  the  administration  of  the  Sacraments,  Baptism  and 
the  Lord's  Supper,  as  for  the  confirmation  of  marriage:  also  the 
observance  of  the  Christmas,  Easter  and  Whitesunday  Festivals,, 
all  of  which  have  been  hitherto  accepted  and  observ^ed  with  good 
order  and  edification  in  the  Netherlandish  churches,  and  by  public 
authority  in  our  land:  and  also  (having  waited)  for  the  Classis 
of  Walcheren,  to  bring  him  to  his  duty,  according  to  the  resolu- 
tion adopted  months  ago  by  their  High  Mightinesses,  the  States 
General,  and  also  by  these  Provinces : —  But  by  their  forbearance 
and  connivance  he  has  become  so  bold  as  even  in  the  citv  of  Mid- 
dleburg,  and  under  the  eyes  of  the  authorities,  to  hold  services, 
and  administer  baptism  without  using  the  Form,  and  has  followed 
his  own  fancies  in  uniting  persons  in  marriage,  to  the  great  of- 
fence of  the  congregation,  and  the  no    less    disturbance  of    the 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  657 

leaders,  who  know  not  what  to  do  in  such  an  unusual  case: 
Neither  has  he  been  satisfied  with  introducing  his  unusual  noA^el- 
ties  into  the  church  of  Slujs,  but  has  gone  with  them,  wherever 
possible,  into  other  churches;  and  he  has  so  far  prevailed  in  the 
aforesaid  churches  of  Sluys,  as  to  propose  in  their  name  to  the 
Classis  of  Walcheren,  to  abolish  the  Festivals  of  Christmas,  Paas 
(Easter)  and  Pinkster,  (Pentecost),  as  useless  and  unedifying: 
adding  that,  if  they  did  not  adopt  the  proposal,  the  church  of 
Sluys  itself  would  begin  the  reformation:  so  that  the  said  Jacob 
Coelman  so  far  departs  from  all  obedience  to  his  superiors  that  he 
undertakes  to  propose  the  abolition  of  days,  which  are  observ^ed 
with  edifying  results,  in  all  the  churches  of  this  land,  and  which 
their  High  Mightinesses  have  specially  commanded  to  be  ob- 
served: nor  does  he  show  any  respect  either  for  the  Synodical  de- 
crees, or  for  the  Church  Order  approved  by  the  Supreme  Au- 
thority, although  he  subscribed  the  same  at  the  commencement 
of  his  ministry,  and  must  still  confess  that  the  Forms  therein  con- 
tained are  orthodox  and  agreeable  to  God's  Word: — therefore 

The  States  of  Zeeland,  considering  all  this,  and  seeing  that  the 
said  Jacobus  Coelman  scorns  everything,  and  that  the  patience 
hitherto  exercised  towards  him  only  makes  his  boldness  greater; 
and  that  they  are  bound,  as  much  as  in  them  lies,  to  provide  against 
this,  and  prevent  the  evil  from  breaking  forth  and  infecting  other 
Provinces;  therefore  it  is  resolved 

1.  That  a  certain  book,  written  by  the  said  Jacobus  Coelman, 
containing  two  sermons  against  the  Forms  of  Prayer,  shall  be  al- 
together suppressed  by  the  officers,  and  no  longer  be  allowed  to 
be  sold  or  circulated.  In  this  book,  amongst  other  dangerous 
novelties,  he  maintains  that  parents  do  w^rong  to  teach  their  chil- 
dren the  ordinary  morning  and  evening  prayers,  and  prayers  be- 
fore  and  after  meals;  and  that  the  perfect  prayer  which  the 
Saviour  himself  taught  should  be  diminished,  (in  the  number  of 
its  repetitions),  and  the  use  of  it  left  optional. 

2.  We  expressly  forbid  the  said  Jacobus  Coelman  to  preach  or 

42 


1674 


1674 


658  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

to  administer  either  Sacrament,  or  perform  any  public  or  private 
ser^^ce  in  any  church,  in  town  or  country  in  this  Province,  or 
under  our  jurisdiction. 

3.  Henceforth  he  shall  have  no  seat  in  the  Classis  of  Walcheren, 
or  in  any  other  Classis  of  this  Province,  until  he  shall  renounce 
his  novelties,  in  submission  to  his  superiors,  and  thereafter,  use 
and  follow,  without  exception  or  subterfuge,  the  Porms  for  ad- 
ministering the  Sacraments  of  the  Lord's  Supper  and  Baptism, 
as  well  as  that  for  marriage;  and  also  celebrate  Christmas,  Paas 
and  Pinkster,  without  any  de^dation  or  failure. 

A  copy  of  this  Resolution  shall  be  sent  to  the  High  Officers 
and  Magistrates  in  this  Province,  to  be  executed  by  them,  if  need 
be,  and  also  to  the  said  Jacobus  Coelman  for  his  own  guidance, 
so  that  we  may  not,  for  his  neglect  of  the  same,  be  compelled  to 
interdict  him  from  the  Province.  A  similar  copy  shall  be  sent  to 
the  Classis  of  Walcheren,  together  with  the  other  Classes  of  Zee- 
land;  also  to  the  Consistories  of  Middleburg  and  Sluys;  to  the 
end  that  this,  our  order  and  earnest  desire,  may  be  made  known 
to  the  same;  that  all  ministers  and  elders  may  take  heed  against 
admitting  the  said  Coelman  to  the  pulpit,  or  any  public  or  private 
service,  or  receiving  him  into  any  Classis  within  this  Province. 
By  this  means,  they  who  render  assistance  to  such  extraordinary 
proceedings,  will  see  that  they  are  disobedient  to  lawful  author- 
ity, and  that  they  may  experience  this  same  penalty,  which  is  now 
put  in  operation  against  the  said  Jacobus  Coelman,  in  the  hope 
of  securing  his  amendment.  Finally,  a  copy  of  this  action  shall 
be  sent  to  their  High  Mightinesses  along  with  a  letter  relating 
all  the  facts. 

Attest 

Agreeably  to  the  aforesaid  notes. 


OF  THE  State  of  IN'ew  York.  659 

1674 

Petition  of  the  Lutherans  of  Willemstadt  for  Leave  to 

Bury  Their  Dead. 

1674. 

To  the  Eight  Honorable  Mjn  Heer  Anthony   Colve   Governor 
General  of  ISTew  l^etherland. 
Those  of  the  Aiigshurgh  Confession  represent  with  due  respect 
that  your  Petitioners  are  ordered  in  cases  of  the  burial  of  their 
dead,  to  pay  the  Sexton  (Aanspreecker)*  of  the  Keformed  Church 
notwithstanding  they  employ  their  own  Sexton,  as  lately  happened, 
one  of  theirs  having  seized  goods  by  execution  and  sold  the  same 
at  public  auction:     And  the  Petitioners  remark  that  they  fully 
pay  all  taxes  assessments,  excise  and  all  others  whatever  they  may 
be  called;  Yea  they  endeavour  to  pay  also  their  own  poor.    They 
are  therefore,  as  they  consider,  not  in  the  least  subject  to  such 
charges  but  on  the  contrary  ought  to  enjoy  their  (religious)  exer- 
cises and  Divine  Service  free  and  unconstrained,  for  which  they 
have  a  written  grant  from  the  late  Honorable  Governour  Lovelace 
a  copy  of  which  is  hereunto  annexed. 

It  is  also  well  known  to  all  that  Mr.  Roosenboom  hath  addressed 
a  petition  on  that  subject  to  the  Honorable  Heer  General  above 
named,  to  be  favored  therein ;  which  petition  had  no  result,  but  the 
Heer  Laval  being  come  up,  said  in  full  Court  in  date  the  7th  No- 
vember 1672  he  had  authority  as  to  Roosenboom's  Petition  — 
Let  the  Dead  bury  their  Dead;  for  with  what  free  conscience  can 
your  Precentor  go  and  act  for  the  Lutherans,  for  they  have  more 
ceremonies  than  the  Reformed.  Whereupon  at  that  time  he  had 
no  more  to  say,  and  it  was  as  well. 

Wherefore  your  Petitioners  for  aforesaid  reasons'  approach 
your  Honor  requesting  most  humbly  that  they  may  enjoy  what 
they  have  been  granted,  and  as  your  Petitioners  Brethren  at  'N. 

Orange  enjoy  the  same,  that  they  further  may  bury  their  dead 

■ ■ —  ) 

*  Literally,  "The  person  sent  around  with  invitations  to  a  funeral";  a  custom 
still  in  practice  in  some  of  the  older  settlements  of  this  State.  We  render  the 
word,  "  Sexton  ",  being  the  nearest  approach  we  can  find  to  the  original. 


1674 


660  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

without  notifying  Mr.  Eoosenboom,  but  employ  tlieir  own  Sexton 
and  no  one  else.    Whereupon  they  expect  a  favourable  answer. 
Your  Honors  Affectionate  Subjects, 

Bernhardus  Anthony,  V.  D.  M. 

Jan  Heinderik  Bruyns 

Jochem  Backer 

Hans  Hendricksen. —  Doc.  Hist.  !N^.  Y.  iii.  525. 

Court  Minutes  of  ^ew  Amsterdam. 

Election  of  Churchmasters. 

1674,  Sept.  26. 

Whereas  the  time  for  the  election  of  new  Churchmasters  in 
place  of  those  retiring  has  expired  therefore  Schout,  Burgomasters- 
and  Schepens  have  resolved  to  nominate  a  double  number  and 
present  it  to  the  Honorable  Governor,  in  order  that  his  Honor 
may  be  pleased  to  make  election  therefrom ;  —  and  there  are  nomi- 
nated 

Capt.  Marten  Kregier, 

Johannes  He  Pevster, 

!N'icolaes  De  Meyer,  * 

Ffrederik  Philipsen. 

Eight  Honourable  Sir, 

Whereas  the  time  for  the  choosing  new  Churchmaster  for  next 
year  in  place  of  the  retiring  is  elapsed,  and  it  is  therefore  neces- 
sary that  the  same  office  be  filled  by  two  new  instead  of  the  re- 
tiring; we,  therefore,  nominate  to  your  Honor  from  the  Burghers 
and  inhabitants  of  this  City  as  a  double  number: — 

Capt.  Martin  Kreigier, 
Johannes  De  Peyster, 
Kicolaes  De  Meyer, 
Pfrederik  Philipsen, 


OF  THE  State  of  I^ew  York.  661 

requesting  that  your  Honor  may  be  pleased  to  elect  from  tliem 
the  wisest  and  fittest,  in  order  that  the  said  office  may  be  duly 
filled  and  attended  to.    We  remain  Honorable  Sir, 

Your  Honor's  humble  servants. 
The  Schout,  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the  City  of  New 
Orange. 

By  order  of  the  same. 
Done,  City  Hall  of  the  City  IsTew  Orange  the  2nd  October,  1674. 

The  Superscription  Was:  To  the  Right  Honorable  Anthony 
Oolve,  Governor  General  of  New  Netherland.  Ephraim  Herman, 
Secretary  Residing  in  Ffort  Willem  Hendrick. —  Records  of  New 
Amsterdam,  Vol.  7.  pp.  126,  127. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  Roelandus  Carpentier. 

1674,  Oct.  8th. 

Rev.  Roelandus  Carpentier  was  conducted  into  the  room,  com- 
missioned as  preacher  (chaplain)  in  the  navy  by  this  body,  on 
board  the  ship  of  Mr.  Engel  de  Ruji:er,  Rear  Admiral,  and  gave 
to  the  Assembly  an  account  and  report  of  his  work.  He  handed 
in  also  a  good  testimonial  regarding  his  labors  and  deportment 
on  board  the  aforesaid  ship,  with  the  request  that  he  may  re- 
main under  favorable  recommendation,  with  a  view  to  his  promo- 
tion. The  Assembly  received  this  notice  favorably,  and  on  oc- 
casion, his  advancement  shall  be  kept  in  mind.    vii.  104. 

Court  Min^utes  of  New  Amsterdam. 

Churchmasters  confirmed. 

1^4,  Oct.  9. 

Extract  from  the  Resolutions  of  the  Honorable  Governor  General  and  Council  of 
New  Netherland  adopted  in  their  Assembly  the  3rd  October  1674. 

From  the  nomination  exhibited  by  the  Schout,  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  of  the 
City  of  New  Orange  the  Honorable  Governor  General  of  New  Netherland  has  elected 
and  confirmed  as  Churchmasters  of  this  City  for  the  ensuing  year: — 

;    Adolf  Pietersen,  Old  Churchmaster 
Nicolaes  De  myer, 
Ffrederick  Philipsen 
Done  at  Fort  Willem  Hendrick  in  New  Netherland.     Ady,  3rd  of  October  Anno 
1674. 

By  order  of  the  Honorable  Governor  General  of  New  Netherland. 

(Was  Signed)        N.  Bayard,  Secretary. 
,  —  Records  of  New  Amsterdam,  Vol.  7.  p.  132. 


1674 


1674 


662 


Ecclesiastical  Records 


Conditions  of  Re-Surrender,  1674. 


Proposalls  sent  by  Gov.  Colve  to  Gov. 
Andros  previous  to  the  surrender  of 
New  York  Oct.  27  1674. 


Gov.   Andros'  Answers. 


1 

'^ ...^ 

3 

4.  That  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Dutch 
Nation  may  be  allowed  to  retain  their 
customary  Church  privileges  in  Divine 
Service  and  Church  discipline  besides 
their  Fathers'  laws  and  customs  in  the 
division  of  their  Inheritances. 

5.  That  they  may  be  excused  from 
Impressment,  if  not  wholly  at  least 
against  their  own  Nation. 


6.  That  each  congregation  whether 
Lutherans  or  others  may  support  their 
own  poor. 

7.  That  all  Publick  houses  may  con- 
tinue according  to  the  Customs  now  ex- 
isting, 

[This  Included  the  Church  in  the 
Fort.] 

8.  That  the  West  Ind'ia  Company's 
creditors  in  this  Country  may  be  paid 
from  their  property  and  outstanding 
debts  here. 


1. 


l> 


To  the  4th.  The  usuall  Discipline  of 
their  Church  to  be  continued  to  them 
as  formerly,  and  the  other  of  Inherit- 
ance, as  farre  as  I  may,  and  for  those 
that  shall  desire  It. 


To  the  5th.  I  have  neither  Orders  nor 
directions  for  any  pressing  whatever 
and  shall  allwayes  bee  glad  to  favour 
the  Inhabitants  therein. 

To  the  6th.  I  shall  allwayes  bee  ready 
to  allow  and  favour  so  charitable  a 
worke. 

To  the  7th.  I  shall  take  fitting  care 
In  this  particular  to  the  satisfaction  of 
all  the  good. 


To  the  8th.  I  have  seen  since  my  ar- 
rivall  severall  orders  or  decrees  upon 
Record,  for  the  arresting  and  forfeiting 
the  Effects  of  the  West  India  Company 
In  these  parts,  during  the  former  Warre 
in  1664  and  1665,  which  I  am  also  in- 
formed have  since  been  accounted  for 
at  home,  so  not  In  my  power. 


Sir  your  most  humble  Servant 
For  the  Hon.  Governor  Colve  on  board  the  States  Shipp 
the  Surynam,  These 

This  Is  a  true  Copie  of  the  Proposalls  sent  by  Gov.  Colve  to  Gov.  Andros  before 
the  surrender  of  the  Fort  bearing  date  Oct.  27th  O.  S.  with  the  Answer  returned 
to  the  seuerall  particulars  therein  afterwards;  pursuant  to  the  Assurance  given  by 
those  employed.  Matthias  Nicolls,  Sec. 

Endorsed  — "  Proposalls  from  the  Dutch  Governor  and  the  Governor's  Answer, 
Nov.  2nd,  1674  ".—  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  49,  50. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  663 


1674r- 

1683 


administratio:n'  of  gov.  edmund  andros. 
oct.  31  (k  s.  nov.  10)  1674-1683. 

A  Committee  Appointed  to  Welcome  the  New  Goveknoe. 

3  November  Anno  1674. 

Burgomasters  and  Schepens  being  met  at  the  City  Hall  with  the  Burgher  Council 
of  war,  they  with  the  approbation  of  the  Hon.  Governor,  appointed  and  qualified, 
as  they  hereby  appoint  and  qualify  the  Hon.  Cornells  Steenw.yk,  with  the  Heeren 
Burgomaster  Johannes  van  Brugh  and  Willem  Beekman  to  repair  on  board  his 
Majesty's  frigate  now  anchored  under  Staten  Island,  and  there  welcome  the  Hon. 
Governor  Andrews  and  to  request  together  some  privileges  from  him  for  the  advan- 
tage of  the  commonalty. 

The  foregoing  Commissioners  returning  this  date  reported  that  they  welcomed 
the  Hon.  Governor  Major  Andrews  and  requested  from  him  to  favor  the  Inhabit- 
ants with  some  privileges;  Who  answered  them  that  they  the  Commissioners  may 
assure  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Dutch  Nation  that  they  should  participate  in  the 
game  privileges  as  those  of  the  English  Nation,  and  that  his  Honor  would  as  far 
as  possible  promote  their  interests;  referring  himself  further  to  the  Instructions 
given  him  by  his  Royal  Majesty  and  Highness  the  Duke  of  York. —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y. 
Hi.  47. 

DoMiNE  Bernardus  Arensius  His  Passe. 

Pennitt  and  Suffer  the  Bearer  hereof,  Domine  Bernardus 
ArensiiTSj  to  Passe  from  hence  to  Albany  with  his  Necessaryes  in 
the  Sloope  whereof  Claes  Tysen  is  Master,  and  to  Officiate  there 
as  Pastor  of  the  Augustine  or  Lutheran  Congregation,  as  formerly 
under  the  English  Government,  without  any  manner  of  Lett,  hin- 
drance or  molestacon  whatsoever.  Given  under  my  hand  and 
Seale  in  New  Yorke,  the  6th  day  of  November  1674. 

E.  Andross. 

Proclamation  of  Governor  Andros. 

The  first  Proclamacon  Confirming  Rights  and  Propertys. 

By  the  Governor: — 

Whereas  it  hath  pleased  his  Majesty  and  his  Royall  Highuesse  to  send  me  with 
authority  to  receive  this  place  and  Government  from  the  Dutch,  and  to  continue 
in  the  command  thereof  under  his  royall  Highuesse,  who  hath  not  only  taken  care 
for  our  future  safety  and  defence  but  alsoe  given  me  his  commands  for  securing 
the  rights  and  propertys  of  the  Inhabitants,  and  that  I  should  endeavor  by  all  fit- 
ting means,  the  good  and  welfare  of  this  province  and  dependencies  under  his  gov- 
ernment; That  I  may  not  be  wanting  In  any  thing  that  may  conduce  thereunto, 
and  for  the  saving  of  the  trouble  and  charge  of  any  coming  heither  for  the  satis- 
fying themselves  in  such  doubts  as  might  arise  concerning  their  rights  and  prop- 


1674 


Q64:  Ecclesiastical  Records 

ertys  upon  this  change  of  government,  and  wholly  to  settle  the  minds  of  all  in 
generall,  I  have  thought  fltt  to  publish  and  declare:  That  all  former  grants  privi- 
ledges  or  concessions  heretofore  granted,  and  all  estates  legally  possessed  by  any 
under  his  Royall  Highnesse  before  the  late  Dutch  government;  As  also  all  legall, 
judiciall  proceedings  during  that  government  to  my  arrivall  In  these  parts,  are 
hereby  confirmed;  and  the  possessors  by  virtue  thereof  to  remain  in  quiet  posses- 
sion of  their  rights.  It  Is  hereby  further  declared  that  the  known  Book  of  Laws 
formerly  establisht  and  in  force  under  his  royall  highnesse  government,  Is  now 
again  confirmed  by  his  Royall  Highnesse;  the  which  are  to  be  observed  and  prac- 
ticed together  with  the  manner  and  time  of  holding  Courts  therein  menconed  aa 
heretofore.  And  all  Magistrates  and  civill  Ofllcers  belonging  thereunto,  to  be 
chosen  and  established  accordingly. —  Given  under  my  hand  in  New  York,  this 
ninth  day  of  November,  in  the  twenty  sixth  year  of  his  Majesties  reign  annoq; 
Domini  1674. 

E.  Andres. 
Secryes  OflBce  Province  of  New  Yorke 

This  is  a  true  copy  taken  from  the  record  of  the  book  of  entrys  begunn  October 
the  31st  1674,  page  13,  at  the  request  of  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  New  York, 
this  seventh  day  of  July  1698:     Exaiat  and  comparat  p. 

(Signed)        David  Jamison,   Secretary. 

—  Gol.  Docs.  N.  Y.  iii.  22T. 


Petition  of  the  Elders  and  Principals  of  the  Augsburg 

Congregation  Here. 

To  the  Rt.   Honorable  and  Righteous  Lord  Edmund  Andros  Governor  General  of 
New  York  etc. 

Right  Honorable  and  Righteous  Lord. 

The  Undersigned  Elders  and  Principals  of  the  Augsburg  Congregation  here  with 
due  reverence  represent  that  they  the  Petitioners  find  to  their  sorrow  that  some 
of  their  Congregation  have  failed  to  contribiite  according  to  their  promise  —  firstly, 
to  the  sending  for  and  arrival  of  a  Preacher  and  Secondly,  to  his  yearly  salary,  on 
which  promises  they  the  Petitioners  have  pledged  themselves. 

Wherefore  the  Petitioners  are  obliged  to  repair  to  your  Right  Honorable,  humbly 
praying  that  your  Honor  would  be  pleased  to  make  such  order  therein  as  your 
Honor  may  deem  proper.     Which  doing  they  shall  remain, 

Your  Honors  humble  and  faithful  Subjects, 

Vrlt  Wessels, 
Lauwerens  Andross, 
Martan  Meyers, 
Caspar  Steinmets. 
Endorsed.  —Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  243. 

A  Request  from  the  Lutherans  to  the  Gov. 
At  his  first  Arrivall  in  1674. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Pev.  Wilhelmus  Nieuwenhuysen. 

1674,  :N'ov.  26tli. 

Pev.  William  Meuwenliuysen,  minister  at  ^ew  York  in  'New 
Ketherland,  communicated  per  missive  to  the  Pev.  Classis,  the 
condition  and  growth  of  his  church.     He  requests  an  answer  from 


OF  THE  State  of  ^ew  York.  665 

this  body  to  these  two  questions:  1.  Whether  he*  could  be  per- 
mitted to  perform  baptism,  outside  of  the  church,  in  a  private 
house,  in  the  presence  of  a  few  persons.  2.  Whether  he  could 
perform  the  marriage  rite  without  public  announcements  of  the 
marriage  (bans),  and  merely  upon  a  representation  from  the  Hon. 
Governor  there.  As  to  the  first,  it  was  resolved  that,  except  in 
case  of  necessity,  he  (must)  baptize  the  child  at  the  public  church 
(service)  in  the  body  (nave)  of  the  church,  in  the  presence  of  a 
few  persons,  and  after  a  brief  exhortation.  Concerning  the  sec- 
ond question,  he  should  observe,  as  far  as  possible,  the  usual  or- 
der and  practice  here. ,  Rev.  Dept.  ad  res  Maritimas  will  inform 
him  of  this.  At  the  next  Classis  Rev.  Barnardus  Soomer  shall 
preside  in  (regular)  order,    vii.  108.     xix.  170. 

Petition  fkom  Inhabitants  of  Hemstead  to  Goveenor  Andkos 

FOR  A  Minister. 

Honoured  Sir. 

Right  Honoured  Governour  Generall  Edward  Andros  Governour  of  New  York  la 
his  Magistees  teritoris  under  his  Royall  highness  Jeames  duclj  of  Yorli  wee  your 
humble  petichoners  in  the  behalfe  of  sume  others  doe  humbly  petition  unto  your 
Honour  that  your  Honour  would  be  pleased  to  be  mindful  of  your  petitioners  most 
humble  request  which  is  that  the  honour  of  God  might  be  promoted  and  that  his 
Saboths  may  be  observed  for  the  honour  of  God  and  the  good  of  us  and  our  pos- 
terity and  to  that  end  your  honour  would  be  pleased  to  install  sUch  authority 
amongst  us  which  may  be  a  means  under  God  for  the  upholding  and  maintaining 
of  the  ministry  and  worship  of  God  amongst  us;  your  Honour  being  the  father  of 
this  common  welth,  we  hope  you  will  not  be  unmindfull  of  your  petitioners,  but 
will  be  an  Instrument  under  God  for  the  upholding  and  maintaining  of  the  Gospel 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christe,  so  hoping  you  will  be  pleased  to  draw  a  favorable  con- 
clusion from  this  our  petition  we  shall  not  further  trouble  your  Honour  at  present 
but  leave  this  our  petition  to  your  Honnours  serious  consederation,  we  rest  and 
remain  your  very  humble  servants  and  petichoners  to  the  best  of  our  power  and 
for  your  Honor  we  shall  ever  pray,     farewell. 

Thomas  Champion  Richard  Gildersleeve 

William  Jecocke  Simon  Sarlng 

James  Pine  ,  Richard  Gildersleeve,  Jr. 

Jeremiah  Wood  —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  6S0. 

From  Hemsted 
November  the  30th 
Anno  1674.* 

•  For  the  period,  in  which  the  Dutch  were  again  masters  of  the  Colony,  see  VoL 
ii.  N.  Y.  Col.  Docs. 


1674 


1674 


(j(j6  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

1674,  Dec.  9tli. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Rev.  William  Xieuwenhuysen. 
XXYII.  86. 

Reverend,    Godly,    and    Highly   Learned   Sir,    and   Brother   in 
Christ : — 

Your  agreeable  letter  of  the  26th  of  July,  1674,  came  safe- 
to  hand,  but  that  addressed  by  you  in  July,  1673,  to  the  Rev. 
Classis  has  never  been  seen  by  us. 

"We  thank  you  not  only  for  your  offer,  but  also  for  the  im- 
mediate proof  of  your  co-operation  mth  us.  Very  pleasant  has 
it  been  to  us  to  see  in  your  letters,  your  tender  concern  for  our 
dear  Fatherland.  This  you  show  by  your  sympathy  in  our  suf- 
fering, as  well  as  joy  at  our  peace  with  the  Crown  of  England, 
and  the  restraint  of  the  French  Sennacherib.  It  is  proper  to 
weep  with  those  who  weep  and  to  rejoice  with  those  that  do  re- 
joice. We  thank  the  good  and  beneficent  God,  that  he  has  re- 
garded our  misery,  which  was  very  bitter.  The  enemy  was  round 
about  us;  war  was  in  our  gates;  the  abomination  of  desolation 
and  idolatry  stood  in  the  Holy  Place.  But  God  looked  down 
from  the  light  of  his  Sanctuary,  to  hear  the  sighing  of  the  prison- 
ers, and  to  release  the  children  of  death.  He  has  reconciled 
Ephriam  with  Manasseh,  and  Manasseh  mth  Ephriam,  that  they 
no  longer  tear  one  another's  bowels,  and  that  no  longer  to  each  is 
the  flesh  of  his  own  arm  consumed;  and  neither  are  they  together 
against  Judah.*     We  also  praise  the  compassion  of  God,  unde- 

♦  (On  Feb.  12,  1672,  England  and  France  entered  into  a  treaty  against  Holland. 
Sir  Robert  Holmes  made  an  unsuccessful  attaclc  on  the  Dutch  fleet  from  Smyrna, 
March  14th.  War  was  declared  against  the  United  Provinces,  March  17th.  The 
Duke  of  Monmouth  co-operated  with  Louis  XIV.  Sweden  joined  the  league  against 
Holland,  April  14th.  Louis  crossed  the  Rhine,  June  12th  (N.  S.),  and  soon  con- 
quered Utrecht,  Guelderland  and  Overyssel.  The  Dutch  imputed  their  misfortunes 
to  the  Grand  Pensionary,  John  De  Witt,  whom  they  killed,  (aged  74),  together  with 
his  brother  Cornelius.  William  III  was  made  stadtholder;  he  rejected  the  terms  of 
Louis,  opened  the  sluices,  and  saved  Holland.) 


OF  THE  State  of  'NE^v  York.  667 

served  as  it  is,  towards  our  Fatherland.  The  Lord,  the  terrible 
God,  he  that  doeth  wonders,  has,  as  it  were,  by  the  voice  of  his 
power,  so  affrighted  and  humbled  those  French  Philistines,  that 
haughty,  juggling,  idolatrous  people,  that  they  no  longer  intrude 
into  the  ISTetherlands ;  and  all  the  cities  which  they  had  wickedly 
taken  from  our  Israel  have  been  restored  to  our  State,  excepting 
only  Maestricht. 

Blessed  be  the  Most  High  for  the  avenging  of  the  wrong  done 
to  Israel,  and  for  the  deliverance  of  Jacob,  which  he  has  so 
wonderously  commanded.  We  hope,  beloved,  yea,  we  earnestly 
desire,  to  see  the  peace  of  Jerusalem  established  before  long, 
either  by  the  arms  of  the  States  under  our  efficient  commander, 
and  our  allies;  or  by  an  honorable  and  lasting  peace  secured  by 
negotiation.  And  we  pray  our  Great  God,  that  as  his  right  hand 
has  changed  everything,  that  he  also  may  change  us  and  the 
hearts  of  the  people,  and  powerfully  unite  them  to  fear  his  name, 
that  we  may  no  longer  go  astray  from  him. 

We  rejoice  not  a  little  over  the  prosperous  condition  and  great 
increase  of  the  Church  of  Christ  under  your  ministrations;  that 
a  great  and  effectual  door  is  opened  to  you,  and  that  but  few 
adversaries  are  found;  that  even  from  the  sect  of  the  Menno- 
nites,  at  times,  one  and  another  are  won.  All  our  desire  is  for 
the  extension  of  Christ's  Kingdom.  We  earnestly  hope  that 
under  your  labors  many  subjects  may  be  bom  to  Him  in  those 
regions,  and  that  his  name  may  be  also  abundantly  glorified  even 
among  the  blind  heathen. 

To  your  questions,  which  we  have  presented  to  the  Rev.  Classis, 
we  are  prepared  to  give  answer  according  to  their  decisions : 

1.  Whether  the  sacrament  of  Holy  Baptism  may  be  adminis- 
tered to  children,  without  a  sermon,  in  a  private  house  and  not 
in  the  church,  but  in  the  presence  of  a  few  persons. 

2.  Whether  you  are  at  liberty  to  confirm  marriage  between 
parties,  outside  the  place  of  meeting,  either  in  your  owtl  house, 
or  in  that  of  another,  without  the  announcement  of  the  banns, 


1674 


1674 


668  Ecclesiastical  Eecokds 

but  simply  upon  a  letter  of  mutual  agreement  and  the  license  of 
the  Governor. 

The  Classis  resolved  to  send  you  the  following  replies: 

1.  That  you  may  not  baptize,  except  in  cases  of  absolute  neces^ 
sity,  elsewhere  than  in  the  church,  publicly,  after  the  tolling  of 
the  bell,  (to  notify  of  the  service),  and  mth  at  least  a  few  per- 
sons present,  and  in  connection  mth  a  short  exhortation. 

2.  That  (in  performing  the  rite  of  marriage),  you  hold  to  the 
common  order  and  practice  of  the  Fatherland  as  far  as  possible. 

Closing  herewith,  we  commend  you  to  God  and  to  the  word  of 
his  grace.  We  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  to  bless  you  and 
make  you  fruitful,  and  multiply  your  church  and  grant  it  much 
peace  and  consolation.  Such  is  the  wish.  Reverend  and  Worthy 
Friend,  of  your  Obedient  and  Affectionate  Brethren  in  Christ, 
the  members  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

In  the  name  of  all, 

Gerardus    Hendricus,    Eccl.    Amstel.    et 

Conventus  Dep  ad  res.  Maritimas,  p.  t. 

Praeses. 

Cornelius    Lijcochthon,  Eccl.    Amstelod. 
Amsterdam,  ejusdem  Conventus,  p.  t.,  Scriba. 

Dec.  9,  1674. 

Anneke  Jans  Property  Confiscatei)  to  the  Duke  of  York. 

1674. 

Among  the  possessions  of  Lovelace  was  that  piece  of  land 
which  subsequently  became  the  property  of  Trinity  Church.  It 
contained  sixty  two  acres,  and  adjoined  the  old  West  India  Com- 
pany's farm.  It  was  originally  owned  by  Anneke  Jans  and  her 
husband  Rev.  Everardus  Bogardus,  the  second  Dutch  Domine  in 
the  country.  In  1664  the  farm  of  the  West  India  Company  was 
confiscated  and  became  the  property  of  the  Duke  of  York;  but 
the  title  of  the  Domines  Bouwerie  was  confirmed  bv  Governor 
iN'ioollfi  to  the  original  owners,  as  private  property,  in  1667.    Mrs. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yoek.  669 

Bogardus,  (or  Anneke  Jans,)  died  in  1663,  and  in  accordance 
with  her  will,  her  farm  was  sold  in  1671.  Governor  Lovelace 
became  the  purchaser.  But  with  his  disgrace  in  1673,  this  land 
was  confiscated  to  the  Duke  of  York,  and  in  1685  became  vested 
in  the  Crown. 

See  Brodhead,  ii.  183.  Valentine's  Manual  of  Com.  Council, 
1855,  531-2;  1860,  548.  Perry's  Hist.  Am.  (Epis.)  Church, 
i..l70. 

Petition  of  Dutch  Burghers  of  !New  York,  as  to  the  Form 

OF  THE  Oath  of  Allegiai^ce. 

To  the  Right  Honorable  Edmond  Andros,  Governor-General  over  all  his  Royal  High- 
ness's  Territories  In  America,  and  his  Honor's  Council. 
Honorable  Gentlemen:  We  the  undersigned,  your  Honors'  subjects  and  Petition- 
ers, with  all  due  respect  represent,  that  In  obedience  to  your  Proclamation  pub- 
lished on  Saturday  last,  giving  notice  to  all  persons  who  propose  remaining  residents 
here,  to  come  and  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  on  the  ringing  of  the  town  bell;  we, 
with  many  other  inhabitants,  presented  ourselves  yesterday  about  half  an  hour 
after  the  ringing  of  the  bell  at  the  City  Hall,  and  remained  there  until  each  of 
your  Petitioners  undersigned,  was  ordered  by  the  Marshall  or  Constable  to  appear 
at  the  meeting  of  the  Honorable  Mayor's  Court;  where  by  your  Honor's  special  com- 
mands we  were  ordered  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  word  for  word,  as  'twag 
taken  by  the  Inhabitants  of  Dutch  origin.  In  the  year  1664,  on  the  surrender  of  this 
place  to  his  Majesty  at  the  hands  of  your  Honors'  predecessor,  Governor  R.  Nlcol; 
which  oath  we,  each  for  himself,  declared  our  willingness  solemnly  to  take  and  to 
observe  In  all  its  parts;  only  humbly  praying  that  what  the  Honorable  R.  Nicol 
had  declared  respecting  this  oath,  by  proclamation  under  his  hand  and  seal,  now 
also  may  be  confirmed.  Namely,  that  it  was  by  no  means  the  intention  of  such 
oath  to  annul  the  Capitulation  then  so  solemnly  concluded,  signed  and  sealed;  which 
in  our  opinion  and  under  correction  of  better  Judgment,  Is  not  annulled  (gemorti- 
flclert)  but  rather  confirmed,  and  strengthened  by  the  sixth  Article  of  the  peace 
last  concluded  between  his  Majesty  of  Great  Britain  and  the  States-General  of  the 
United  Netherlands, 

Whereupon  the  Honorable  Mayor  replied,  that  he  was  ignorant  of  any  such 
declaration;  when  an  authenticated  copy  thereof  was  produced,  with  further  humble 
request,  that  his  Majesty's  Honorable  Court  would  be  graciously  pleased  to  inform 
your  Honors  of  the  matter  in  the  most  friendly  manner,  and  to  intercede  for  us, 
your  Honor's  faithful  subjects,  that  said  declaration  of  your  Honor's  predecessor, 
as  far  as  it  concerns  your  Honor's  present  subjects,  principally  in  the  point  of 
freedom  of  religion  and  pressing  in  time  of  war,  may  In  like  manner  be  confirmed 
by  your  Honors  at  the  time  of  administering  the  oath. 

Hereupon,  having  been  dismissed  by  the  Court,  we  were  yesterday,  by  your 
Honors'  order,  summoned  personally  before  your  Honors,  and  appeared  accordingly; 
when  you  were  pleased  again  to  require  from  us,  your  humble  serv^ants,  the  same 
oath  taken  to  your  Honors'  predecessors,  which  we  heartily  declared  ourselves 
willing  to  take,  only  requesting  your  Honors'  confirmation  of  said  declaration,  so 
far  as  it  concerned  any  of  the  Petitioners,  as  already  stated,  or  otherwise;  that  we 
were  willing  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  your  Honors,  the  same  as  exacted  by 
the  late  Dutch  Government  from  the  Inhabitants  of  the  English  nation,  which  last 
request  your  Honors  then  declared  that  you  would  take  Into  consideration. 


1674 


670  Ecclesiastical  Tiecoeds 

1674  J 

Your  undersigned  subjects  and  Petitioners  were  thereby  Induced  to  hope  that 
your  Honors  would  favorably  entertain  and  grant  said  request.  But  to  our  utter 
grief  and  hearty  regret,  you  were  pleased  to  summon  the  undersigned  again  before 
the  Council,  and  to  refuse  to  realize  our  hope  and  expectation,  and  to  persist  in 
your  previous  resolution,  that  we  should  take  the  ordained  oath;  looking  upon  us 
further  as  mutinous,  because  we  in  obeying  your  Honors'  proclamation,  have  had 
the  misfortune  to  have  been  the  first  summoned  to  the  Council.  We  hereby 
honestly  declare  that  we  went  thither  without  any  other  Intention  than  to  obey 
your  Honors'  orders,  as  already  stated,  not  doubting  that  your  Petitioners  would 
BO  far  Intercede  on  taking  the  ordained  oath,  that  Governor  NicoU's  declaration 
would  be  confirmed  by  your  Honors,  so  far  as  your  Petitioners  were  concerned; 
the  rather  as  we,  each  for  himself,  offered  to  make  it  clear  that  we  religiously  and 
uprightly  observed,  fulfilled  and  kept  the  oath  formerly  taken  and  afterwards  de 
novo  ordered,  in  all  its  parts,  clauses  and  points. 

Wherefore  we,  your  Honors'  Petitioners,  again  make  so  bold  as  humbly  to  request 
your  Honors  to  be  pleased  again  to  take  the  aforesaid  into  your  wise  consideration 
and  deliberation,  so  as  to  graciously  allow  your  Petitioners,  for  reasons  and  motives 
herein  before  alleged,  to  enjoy  the  right  of  exemption  from  being  impressed,  agree- 
ably to  the  aforesaid  Capitulation  and  the  subsequent  declaration  of  your  Honors* 
predecessor,  Nicol.  Hereby  once  more  declaring  and  offering  to  take,  and  religiously 
to  observe  the  ordained  oath,  otherwise  praying  to  be  allowed  to  give  satisfaction 
with  the  oath  taken  to  the  Dutch  Government  here  by  the  inhabitants  of  the 
English  nation  at  the  time  of  the  last  war,  intimating  in  all  parts  full  obedience 
except  alone  not  to  be  forced  to  take  up  arms  against  any  native  Dutch  nation,  If 
acting  under  commission  from  the  State,  In  case  of  war,  which  God  prevent;  hoplng^ 
and  praying  that  we,  your  Petitioners,  may  not  in  our  consciences  be  pressed  to 
abjure  all  natural  affection  towards  our  own  nation,  but  that  your  Honors,  out  of 
consideration  as  aforesaid,  will  be  pleased  to  be  satisfied  with  the  Christian  oath, 
the  same  as  your  Petitioners  have  taken  and  subscribed  to  your  predecessor,  when 
you  will  find  that  the  more  we  now  object  to  swearing  lightly  what  nature  and  love 
for  our  own  nation  forbid;  so  much  the  more  shall  we  strive  to  keep  sacred  what 
we  have  sworn. 

But  in  case  it  turn  out,  contrary  to  hope,  that  your  Honors  would  not  be  pleased 
graciously  and  favorably  to  consider  this  our  humble  petition,  we,  your  Petitioners, 
are  conscientiously  necessitated  to  request  your  grace  and  favor,  graciously  to 
grant  and  allow  us,  the  Petitioners,  a  proper  and  suitable  time  to  dispose  of  as 
much  as  is  possible  of  our  estates,  and  to  remove  elsewhere  with  our  substance  and 
families,  during  which  time  the  Petitioners  humbly  requesting  your  Honors'  letters 
of  protection  for  person,  condition  and  property,  with  further  consent  to  proceed 
and  transport,  free  and  unmolested,  whithersoever  our  occasions  will  demand;  prom- 
ising and  offering  an  oath  to  be  faithful  to  your  Honors'  government  during  our 
sojourn  here,  with  the  above  exception  only,  not  to  be  forced  to  take  up  arms 
against  our  own  nation.    Which  doing,  we  shall  remain,  honorable  gentlemen, 

Your  Honors' 
;  Faithful  subjects  and  servants, 

(Signed)  Cornells  Steenwyck, 

Johannls  van  Brugh, 
Johannis  De  Peyster, 
New  York,  N.  Bayard, 

16  March,  Anno  Jacob  Kip, 

1674/5.  E.   Luyck, 

W.  Beeckman, 
Anth.  De  Milt. 
(Indorsed)  _  Col.   Docs.  N.  Y.   ii.  740-S. 

Petition  of  the  Dutch  Nation  in  New  York,  heretofore  called  New  Netherland. 

This  Dutch  MS.  appears  to  be  translated  from  the  English.  The  document,  of 
which  this  Is  a  transcript,  Is  very  much  broken  in  style  and  language,  and  not  free 
from  errors,     de  Zwaan. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  671 

Petition   of  the   Dutch   Bueghees   of   New  York   to   the 

States-General. 

To  the  High  and  Mighty  Lords,  the  States-General  of  the  United  Netherlands, 

The  Dutch  Nation  in  New  Yorli,  heretofore  called  New  Netherland,  most  humbly 
showeth: 

That  this  country  had  been  taken  by  your  High  Mightinesses'  arms,  and  reduced 
under  your  High  Mightinesses*  obedience,  by  Commanders  Binckes  and  Eversen,  in 
the  year  1673,  during  the  war  with  England.  That  by  Article  six,  hereunto  an- 
nexed, of  the  Treaty  of  Peace,  which  was  concluded  on  the  9/19  February,  1674,  it 
was  agreed:  That  the  islands,  cities  and  harbors,  castles  or  forts,  which  the  one 
party  will  have  taken,  or  will  yet  take  from  the  other,  since  the  breaking  out  of  this 
unfortunate  war,  whether  in  Europe  or  elsewhere,  and  before  the  expiration  of  the 
period  herein  before  set  down  for  the  cessation  of  all  hostilities,  shall  be  restored 
to  the  former  Lord  or  Proprietor  thereof,  in  the  same  state  and  condition  as  they 
shall  have  been,  etc. 

That,  further,  Anthony  Colve,  at  that  time  Governor  of  the  aforesaid  country, 
hath  surrendered  the  same,  by  your  High  Mightinesses'  order,  to  Major  Andros,  the 
English  Governor,  pursuant  to  the  aforesaid  Article  of  the  Treaty  of  Peace.  When 
they,  the  Petitioners,  did  not  doubt  but  they  would  remain  in  the  enjoyment  of  the 
rights  and  privileges  which  they  have  possessed,  under  the  government  of  the 
English,  previous  to  your  High  Mightinesses'  occupation,  and  principally  by  virtue 
of  the  Capitulation  hereunto  annexed,  which  was  entered  into  in  the  year  1664,  on 
the  27th  of  August,  old  style,  before  the  surrender  to  the  English  Governor,  Richard 
NicoUs,  which  was  also  accorded  to  them,  the  Petitioners,  by  the  aforesaid  6th 
Article  of  the  Treaty  of  Peace.  But  they,  the  Petitioners,  to  their  profound  sorrow, 
find  at  present  that  the  aforesaid  Governor,  Major  Andros,  does  not  allow  them,  the 
Petitioners,  the  enjoyment  of  the  effect  of  the  aforesaid  Capitulation,  and  conse- 
quently also  of  the  6th  Article  of  the  Treaty  of  Peace,  but  hath,  over  and  above, 
laid  before  them,  the  Petitioners,  a  formula  of  an  Oath  he  hath  drawn  up  according 
to  his  opinion,  and  not  according  to  the  aforesaid  Capitulation. 

Wherefore  they,  the  Petitioners,  have  been  necessitated  for  the  maintenance  of 
the  privilege  which  you,  High  and  Mighty,  had  stipulated  for  your  subjects  there, 
to  postpone  the  aforesaid  oath,  and,  by  humble  and  civil  supplication,  to  request  of 
the  above  mentioned  Governor,  Major  Andros,  to  allow  them  a  proper  time  to 
depart  with  their  families  and  property,  and  meanwhile,  protection  both  in  their 
persons  and  goods;  likewise,  free  and  unmolested,  to  transport  themselves  else- 
where, wherever  the  opportunity  should  offer;  they,  the  Petitioners,  promising,  on 
oath,  to  be  faithful  to  the  aforesaid  Governor  during  their  sojourn  there,  with  the 
exception  only  of  not  being  forced  to  take  up  arms  against  their  own  nation,  as  is 
more  fully  demonstrated  to  your  High  Mightinesses  in  the  copy  of  the  petition 
hereunto  annexed;  and  notwithstanding  they,  the  Petitioners,  consider  it  their  duty 
to  preserve  their  privilege  and  concluded  Capitulation,  and  to  demonstrate  the  same 
by  a  most  submissive  petition  of  the  aforesaid  Governor,  yet  hath  he,  Governor 
Andros,  not  only  illy  received,  but  peremptorily  rejected  their  humble  and  civil 
petition,  and  denounced  them  as  the  disturbers  of  the  King's  peace,  placing  them, 
the  Petitioners,  in  close  confinement,  from  which  they  have  been  released,  under 
bail,  and  ordering  them  to  be  tried. 

And  in  order  to  communicate  this  to  his  Majesty  of  England,  the  aforesaid  Gov- 
ernor Andros  to  that  end  hath  most  subtilely  (as  they,  the  Petitioners,  are  for  a 
certainty  informed)  dispatched  Captain  Salsbury  to  denigrate  the  Petitioners  (as 
can  well  be  proved)  to  his  Royal  Majesty,  whence  nothing  is  to  be  foreseen  but  ruin 
and  destruction  to  the  Petitioners.  Wherefore  they  find  themselves  under  the 
necessaty  of  turning  to  you.  High  and  Mighty,  humbly  praying  and  beseeching  you, 


1674 


1674 


672  Ecclesiastical  Records 

High  and  Mighty,  to  cause  information  of  this  matter  to  be  transmitted  to  M.  Van 
Beunlngen,  Ambassador  to  his  Royal  Majesty  of  England,  or  to  whomsoever  you. 
High  and  Mighty,  shall  consider  it  proper  to  refer,  to  the  end  that  no  bad  nor 
wrong  impression  of  them,  the  Petitioners,  may  be  conveyed  to  his  Majesty  by  the 
aforesaid  Salsbury,  Governor  Andros'  messenger. 

And  further,  that  the  matter  be  so  directed  that  they,  the  Petitioners,  may  be 
continued  (In  the  privileges  accorded)  by  the  annexed  Capitulation,  concluded  on  the 
27th  August,  stllo  veteri,  1674,  (1664)  between  his  Majesty  of  England  and  your 
High  Mightinesses,  and  enjoy  the  same  without  being  contravened  by  any  contra- 
dicting statutes,  ordonnances,  formulas  of  oath,  or  otherwise;  and  principally  to 
order,  provisionally,  that  no  prosecutions,  punishments,  nor  other  Inconveniences  be 
instituted  against  them,  the  Petitioners,  by  reason  of  the  aforesaid  presented 
petition.  Which  doing,  etc., 

(Signed),  Cornelius  Maglstrls,   (Steenwyck.) 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  ii.  738-740. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  Selyns. 

1675,  May  27tli. 

Rev.  Selyns  announced  to  the  Rev.  Assembly  that  ke  had  re- 
ceived a  commission  from  the  Council  of  State,  as  well  as  from 
the  Rev.  Classis,  to  set  out  for  the  army.  In  connection  there- 
with he  requested  that  great  care  should  be  employed  to  the 
supply  of  his  charge.  Thereupon  he  took  a  christian  leave  from 
the  Rev.  Assembly.  His  request  regarding  the  supply  of  his 
church  was  received  by  the  Assembly  in  a  spirit  of  complete 
willingness  to  comply.  He  was  also  commended  to  God  and  to 
the  Word  of  his  grace,  after  wishing  upon  him  and  his  labors  all 
success  and  blessing.  On  this  occasion  it  was  also  resolved,  that 
since  it  has  been  learned,  and  is  apparently  true,  that  there  is 
an  unwillingness  in  the  candidates  to  honor  the  behests  of  this 
Classis,  in  the  fulfilment  of  their  assigned  supplies  of  pulpits,  that 
they  be  summoned  to  appear  before  this  Assembly  at  the  next 
meeting  of  Classis.     vii.  115. 

A  Petitiox  from  the  Ltttherais"s. 

To  the  Noble,  Right  Honorable,  Major  Edmond  Andros,  Governor  General  of  all 
his  Royal  Highness,  James,  Duke  of  York  and  Albany,  etc.  Territories  in 
America. 

Show  with  all  reverence  the  subscribed  petitioners,  the  community  of  the  un- 
changeable Augsburg  Confession,  called  the  Lutheran,  which  has  Its  residence  on 
the  Southrlver,  that  after  the  petitioners  had  addressed  an  humble  petition  to  the 


OF  THE  State  of  Isbw  York.  673 

Right  Honorable  Governor  on  the  13tli  of  May  Anno  1G75,  together  with  a  docu- 
ment, drawn  up  in  Council  at  New  Castle  on  the  10th  of  December  1672,  and  pre- 
sented by  petitioners'  minister,  whereby  they  divided  the  river  into  two  parishes, 
so  that  all  above  Verdritige  Hoek  is  and  shall  remain  under  the  pastorate  of  Mr. 
Laers  and  all  below  Verdritige  Hoek  under  the  pastorate  of  Magister  Jakobus 
Fabricius,  and  requested  and  asked  with  due  humility,  that  your  Noble  Honor  would 
please  to  confirm  the  action  and  the  division  for  the  sake  of  God's  glory  and  good 
order,  the  petitioners  expected  hereupon  a  favorable  answer  and  decision  and  had 
hoped  to  receive  the  same  through  Capt.  Ed.  Kantwell,  but  as  the  speedy  journey 
and  many  troubles  have  prevented  your  Noble  Honor,  the  Petitioners  do  not  know, 
how  to  act  and  they  come  therefore  again  to  your  Noble  Right  Honorable  Worship 
with  the  humble  request,  to  confirm  the  act  and  the  division,  also  their  minister 
Magister  Jakobus  Fabricius  and  to  grant  a  favorable  reply  to  the  petitioners,  doing 
which  they  remaine  your  Noble  Right  Honorable  Worships  subjects  and  mediators 
with  God. 

The  Community  of  the  Unchangeable  Confession  of  Augsburg  on  the  Southriver 
belonging  to  the  Churches  of  Swaenewyck  and  Kraenhoek. 

Hendrick  Jansen 

Hendrick  HI  Jansen  van  Breeman 

Harman  Janssen 

Peter  Velcker 

Peter  Classen 

Peter    X    Willem's  mark 

Corn  Janson 

Pieter    K    Manslanst 

Jan    B    Barends 

Sibrand  Jansen 

Hinrich        Fransen 

Willem  Jansen 

Jan  Jansen 

John  Vokmer  (?) 

Clas    X    Andresen 

and  all  the  others. 
Actum  New  Castle  —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  529. 

the  first  of  June 
Anno  1675. 


Declaration  of  H.  Block,  John  Moll  and  Derick  Alberts,  Magistrates  of  New  Castle, 
respecting  the  opposition  Manifested  in  the  Church  by  John  Ogle  and  Rev. 
Jacobus  Fabritius,  to  the  above  order. 

Declaration  of  the  undersigned  concerning  what  has  been  done  last  4th  of  June 
during  the  gathering  of  the  people  in  consequence  of  the  construction  and  re- 
pairs of  two  outer  dikes. 

As  soon  as  we  had  read  and  promulgated  the  order  concerning  it,  John  Ogle,  who 
was  still  in  the  Church,  took  the  word  in  an  arrogant  manner  and  said:  "  We  will 
not  make  Hans  Block's  dike,  nor  the  other  dike  either."  Capt.  Cantwell  answered, 
*'  You,  John  Ogle,  are  an  Englishman,  but  it  does  not  behoove  you  to  make  such  an 
ado  among  so  many  people,"  he  took  him  by  the  arm  and  shoved  him  out  of  the 
Church,  whereupon  one  Mathys  Smith  said  in  a  like  arrogant  manner  "  That  man 
speaks  the  truth  and  we  repeat,  what  he  says  "  adding  other  improper  words. 
Capt.  Cantwell  called  for  the  Constable  to  place  this  man  into  the  stocks,  but  as  the 
Constable  was  not  at  hand  and  Mathys  Smith  continued  with  his  foul  language, 
Capt.  Cantwell  was  forced  to  strike  him  several  times  with  his  ratan:  Magister 
Jacobus  Fabricius  called  out  very  insolently  "  That  man  has  done  no  wrong,  he 
speaks  the  truth.    If  he  must  go  to  prison  then  I  too  will  go  "  and  other  bad  words, 

43 


1675 


1676 


674  Ecclesiastical  Records 

which  do  not  become  a  priest.  As  the  Constable  did  not  come,  we  thought  it  ad- 
visable to  prevent  other  mischief  and  had  the  aforesaid  John  Ogle  and  Magister 
Fabricius  brought  down  to  the  yacht.  The  priest  was  very  angry  on  the  way  to 
the  boat,  and  when  Capt.  Cantwell  wanted  to  take  him  by  the  arm,  he  swore  and 
scolded,  saying  "  May  the  Devil  take  you,  if  you  touch  me  "  and  other  Impious 
words.  In  the  boat  he  still  made  use  of  his  foul  language,  so  that  other  people 
passing  the  boat  called  out  "  Take  hold  of  him,  take  hold  of  him;  "  others  armed 
with  swords  and  sticks  swore  at  each  other  and  looked,  as  if  a  great  mishap  had 
sprung  up  suddenly,  so  that  we  resolved  at  the  request  of  several  to  have  the  afore- 
said John  Ogle  and  Magister  Fabricius  brought  ashore  again. 

A  few  days  after  we  had  had  the  confirmation  of  our  order  affixed  on  the  Church 
door,  I,  Hans  Block,  met  John  Ogle  on  the  street  and  spoke  with  him  about  the 
late  mutiny,  created  by  him  and  others:  he  said,  if  the  Fins  had  been  drunk,  no 
good  would  have  come  of  it.  I  answered,  that  the  confirmation  of  our  order  was 
now  there  affixed  on  the  church  door,  whereupon  he  said  "  I  care  no  more  for  your 
order,  than  for  this  dirt  on  the  street  here,"  kicking  the  same  with  his  foot. 
^  H.   Block 

John  Moll 
Derek  Alberts. 
—  Col.   Docs.  N.   Y.  xii.  531. 

Order  summoning  Domine  Jacobus  Fabricius  and  John  Ogle  before  the  Governor  to 
answer  to  the  charge  of  having  been  implicated  in  the  riot  in  Delaware. 

At  a  Councill  July  24th  1675. 
Present 

The  Governor  Capt.  Brockholes 

The  Secretary  Capt.  Dyre 

Mr.  Jno.  Laurence 


That  ye  former  Order  of  Councill  of  June  23rd  about  ye  disturbance  at  Delaware 
be  respited  and  that  an  order  or  special  Warrant  be  sent  thither  for  Magister 
Jacobus  Fabricius  and  John  Ogle  as  Ringleaders,  to  make  their  appearance  here  to 
answer  ye  misdemeanors  objected  against  them  touching  ye  late  disturbance. 

The  business  about  Capt.  Carrs  Valley  and  Meadow  ground  etc.,  at  New  Castle, 
being  taken  into  consideracon, 

Ordered,  That  ye  Order  made  at  Delaware  bee  observed  for  ye  vallueing  of  ye 
said  land  and  ye  Towne  to  have  ye  refusall. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  537. 

A  Warrant  sent  to  Mr.  Jacobus  Fabricus  and  John  Ogle  at  Delaware. 

Whereas  I  have  received  Information  from  the  Magistrates  at  Delaware,  That 
you  Jacobus  Fabricius,  were  a  principall  Ring  Leader  in  causing  a  tumultuous  dis- 
turbance (not  long  sincce)  That  is  to  say  upon  ye  4th  day  of  June  last  at  the  Towne 
of  New  Castle,  and  did  contemne  and  disobey  the  orders  sett  forth  by  the  said. 
Magistrates,  in  a  riotous  manner;  These  are  therefore  in  his  Majesty's  name,  to 
require  and  command  you  forthwith  to  make  your  personall  appearance  before  mee, 
in  this  place,  to  make  answer  to  what  shall  be  objected  against  you  upon  the 
account  afore  mentioned;  Of  the  which  you  are  not  to  faile,  as  you  will  answer  the 
contrary,  at  your  utmost  perill.  . 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  in  New  York  this  26th  day  July,  1675. 

E.  Andross. 
To  magister  Jacobus  —  Col.  Docs.  N.   Y.  xii.  538. 

Fabricius,  The  same 
Warrant  was  sent  for 
John  Ogle,  at  the  said 
place. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  675 

Petition.      Jacobus    Fabricius    relative    to    a    charge    of    riotous    conduct    brought 

against  him. 

To  the  Honorable  Mayor  Edmund  Andros  Governor  Generall  under  his  Royal  High- 
ness of  all  his  Territoryes  in  America. 

The  humble  Peticon  of  Jacobus   Fabricius. 

Sheweth  your  Honor  humble  Peticoner  as  that  your  Honor  having  been  pleased 
to  send  a  warrant  to  New  Castle,  ordering  your  Petitioner  forthwith  to  make  his 
personall  appearance  before  your  Honor  in  this  place,  to  make  answer  to  what 
shall  bee  objected  against  your  Honor's  Peticoner  concerning  a  disturbance  hapned 
at  Delaware  in  New  Castle  the  4th  day  of  June  Last,  in  condemning  and  disobeying 
the  orders  sett  forth  by  the  Magistrates  in  a  riotous  manner.  In  obedience  to  your 
Honor's  order  and  comand,  your  Honor's  Peticoner  doth  appear  before  your  Honor 
and  as  for  what  is  Laid  upon  him  your  Honor's  Peticoner  finds  himself  not  guilty 
as  may  appear  by  Several  witnesses. 

Therefore  its  your  Honor's  Peticoner's  humble  Request,  that  an  order  may  be 
given  with  a  commission  to  examine  the  Burgher^  and  Inhabitants  of  New  Castle 
whether  your  Honor's  Peticoner  had  beene  tumultious  against  the  Magistrates  and 
likewise  whether  he  has  given  base  language  to  the  powers,  or  came  armed,  or  has 
any  weapon,  or  made  any  resistance.  On  the  contrary  thereof  your  Honor's  Peti- 
coner, being  desired  by  the  people  to  Speak  for  them,  was  affrontuously  dealt  by  the 
Comander  there:  upon  the  Returne  of  the  examination,  your  Honor's  Petitioner 
hope  your  Honor  to  bee  better  informed,  and  shall  know  the  very  truth,  and  to. 
judge  that  your  Honor's  Peticoner  is  much  wrongdt,  and  damaged  in  coming  hether, 
in  Loosing  his  time,  and  leaving  his  employment  with  dayly  expenses:  which  your 
Honor  bee  pleased  to  consider,  and  to  give  Such  order.  Tliat  after  your  Honor's 
Peticoner  is  cleared  of  the  accusation  Laid  on  him  his  costs,  expenses,  damages  and 
Loss  of  tyme  may  be  allowed  to  him,  not  being  reasonable  to  bee  so  much  troubled 
in  a   vexatious  cause. 

And  your  Honor's  peticoner  shall  ever  pray  much. —  Col.  Docs.  N.   Y.  xii.  521. 

Synod  of  North  Holland,  at  Haarlem. 

1675,  July  29  et  seq. 

Note. 

(The  following  is  an  item  of  interest,  as  bearing  on  the  well 
known  and  oft-quoted  "  Journal  "  of  the  Labadists,  Bankers  and 
Sliiyter,  who  visited  New  York  in  1679.) 

Art.   30.    Labadists. 

Regarding  Art.  32,  which  speaks  of  the  party  (aaiiliang)  of 
the  Labadists :  The  Classes  which  still  have '  some  remnants  of 
the  people  among  them,  declare  that  they  are  watching  against 
that  evil  with  all  diligence.  All  the  Classes  were  once  more  ad- 
monished to  continue  their  good  efforts  to  this  end.  On  this 
same  occasion,  the  Rev.  Correspondents  from  Utrecht  and  Fries- 
land  read  from  their  Acta  some  very  lengthy  articles  on  this 


1675 


1675 


676  Ecclesiastical  Eecoeds 

business.  From  these  it  appeared  what  had  been  resolved  on  in 
reference  to  this  matter,  in  their  respective  Synods;  specially, 
also,  what  means  had  been  taken  by  them  for  counteracting  this 
evil.  The  Revs.  Deputati  are  requested,  in  drawing  up  the  ex- 
tracts of  the  corresponding  S^oiods,  to  insert  the  principal  con- 
tents concerning  this  matter  therein. 

Remonstka^ce    of    the    Swedes    and    Fins    of    Cranehook 
Church,  Against  Domine  Fabricius  Being  Their  Minister. 

Laus  Deo  Semper. 

The  14th  of  August  1675. 
We  Swedes  and  Fins,  , 

Belonging  to  the  church  at  Cranehcok,  understand  that  the  Dutch  minister  Feb- 
ricius  has  very  unfairly  and  without  our  knowledge to  the  Honorable  Gen- 
eral our  Church  and  the  which  was  never  granted  Mm  by  General 

Lovelace,  except  the  community  consented  to  it  and  what  reasons  could  induce  us 
to  do  it,  for  neither  we  nor  our  wives  and  children  are  able  to  understand  him. 
We  request  therefore  his  Honor,  Captain  Cantwell,  with  due  respect,  humbly  to 
ask  the  Honorable  General,  that  we  hold  divine  service  with  our  priest  for  our 
edification,  as  we  have  done  so  far.  If  the  Dutch  priest  desires  to  teach,  let  him 
remain  among  his  own  people  at  Swanewyck  and  preach  before  the  Dutch. 

Hendricsen  Lemmes. 

As  Deacons  of  the  Church  -        —  Col.  Does.  N.   Y.  xil.  539l 

Olle  Forsse,  made  by  himself 
Jan     X      Matson,  made  by  himself 
Sammel     X      Peetersen,  made  by  himself 
Mens     X     Pauwelson,  made  by  himself  ] 

The  rest  of  the  congregation. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  Selyn^. 

1675,  Aug.  26th. 

A  letter  from  Rev.  Selyns  to  this  body  was  read,  describing 
the  religious  condition  of  the  national  army.  Resolved  that  the 
same  shall  be  politely  answered  by  the  clerk  with  thanks. 
vii.  123. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

Rev.  Gideon  Schaats  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Albany,  September  7,  1675. 

This  letter  was  difficult  to  read,  but  the  substance  of  its  con- 
tents is  a  request  that  the  brethren  would  remember  him  in 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  677 

their  prayers,  being  no^v  sixty  seven  years  old.  He  also  com- 
plains of  the  disorderly  preaching  of  another  minister.  (This 
was  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Van  Rensselaer). 

Magister  Fabricius  Suspended. 

Council  Minute.     Order  suspending  Magister  Fabricius  from  Ministerial  functions; 
Delaware  land  maiters;  Order  for  the  removal  of  the  blockhouse  at  New  Castle. 

At  a  Council  Sept.  loth,  1675. 

Present,  The  Governor  Capt.  Brockboles 

The  Secretary  Capt.  Dyre 

Mr.  J.  Laurence  Mr.  Fred  Philips. 


1675 


Magister  Jacobus  Fabricius  being  ordered  by  special  Warrant  to  make  his  per- 
sonal appearance  before  ye  Governor  here  to  answer  to  a  complaint  made  against 
him  by  ye  high  Sheriff  and  Court  at  New  Castle  in  Delaware  for  causing  a  disturb- 
ance and  uproare  against  ye  Magistrate, 

It  is  ordered,  that  ye  said  Magister  Fabricius  in  regard  of  his  being  guilty  of 
what  is  laid  to  his  charge  and  his  former  irregular  life  and  conversation,  be  sus- 
pended from  exercising  his  function  as  a  Minister,  or  preaching  any  more  within 
this  Government  either  in  publick  or  private. —  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xii.  540. 


John  Werden^  Secretary  to  the  Duke  of  York^  to  Governor 

Andros,  Sept.  15,  1675. 

Extract. 

I  have  communicated  to  his  Royal  Highness  your  letter  of  the  20th  of  Aprill  1675, 
with  ye  copies  of  ye  proceedings  menconed  in  ye  third  paragraph  of  it,  relating  to 
ye  tumultuous  meetings  of  some  of  ye  cheife  of  ye  Dutch  in  that  city*:  and  his 
Royal  Highness  seems  very  well  satisfied  with  your  care  and  prudence  in  quelling 
and  composeing  those  disorders  with  soe  much  calmness. 

He  would  have  you  endeavor  upon  all  occasions  to  keepe  ye  people  in  due  obedi- 
ence and  subjection,  and  all  inclinations  towards  mutiny  severely  supprest,  but 
relyes  wholely  upon  your  directions  not  to  impost  anything  that's  hard  and  severe 
upon  them;  and  therefore  doubtless  you  did  very  well  to  permitt  ye  person  that 
soe  earnestly  peticoned  for  it,  to  be  admitted  to  be  sworne  upon  his  submission, 
and  I  hope  ye  rest  will  follow  by  his  example.—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  iii.  liH2. 

*  Their  names  were,  Cornells  Steenwyck,  Johannes  Van  Brugh,  Johannes  De 
Peyster,  Nicholas  Bayard,  Egidius  Luyck.  William  Beeckman,  Jacob  Kip,  and 
Antonio  De  Mill.  Their  offence  consisted  in  petitioning  that  they  may  not  be 
obliged  to  take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance,  nor  bear  arms  against  Holland.  The  pro- 
ceedings against  them  will  be  found  at  length  in  New  York  Council  Minutes,  III., 
I'art  11;  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts,  xxxiv.,  xxxv. 


678  Ecclesiastical  Records 


1675 


Difficulties  in  the  Dutch  Church  at  Albany. 

At  a  Council  Sept.  25th,   1675. 

Present.—  The  Governor,  The  Secretary,  Capt.  Brockholes,  Mr.  J.  Laurence, 
Capt.  Dj-re,  Mr.  Fred.  Philips. 

The  matter  under  consideration  was  ye  Complaint  of  Domine  Nicholas  van  Rens- 
laer  against  Domine  Newenhuysen,  upon  account  of  his  sending  to  him  by  some 
of  ye  Elders  on  Sunday  last,  to  forbid  him  to  baptize  any  children  that  should  be 
brought  in  the  afternoon  to  be  baptized.  Upon  which  he  forbeare  coming  to  ye 
Church  that  time,  but  said  he  went  to  speak  with  Domine  Newenhuysen,  to  know 
his  reason  for  what  he  had  done. 

To  whom  ye  said  Domine  replyed  aloude  in  ye  street,  that  it  was  because  he  did 
not  looke  upon  him  to  be  a  lawfull  Minister,  nor  his  admittance  at  Albany  to  be 
Lawfull,  whereupon  ye  said  Domine  Renslaer  desired  to  speake  to  him  in  ye  house, 
and  to  shew  him  what  Testimonials  he  had,  which  he  admitted,  yet  afterwards 
would  scarcely  looke  on  them  but  exclaimed  against  him  in  like  manner  as  before; 
That  afterwards  at  Mr.  Ebbings  one  of  ye  Elders,  they  saw  all  his  Papers,  but  ye 
Domine  still  said,  that  one  ordained  in  England,  had  nothing  to  do  with  their 
Church,  without  a  Certificate  from  their  Classis. 

Domine  Newenhuysen  did  not  deny  at  all  that  was  alleaged  against  him,  but  on 
ye  contrary  did  in  a  manner  maintaine.  That  no  one  that  only  had  orders  from  ye 
Cliurch  of  England  had  sufficient  authority  to  be  admitted  a  Minister  here,  to 
administer  ye  Sacraments  without,  as  before,  etc. 

Resolved,  That  Domine  Newenhuysen  shall  have  time  of  two,  three  or  four  dayes 
to  sett  in  writing  what  his  opinion  or  judgement  is  in  this  case,  particularly 
whether  a  Minister  ordained  in  England  by  a  Bishop,  coming  here  and  having 
Certificate  thereof,  bee  not  suflicient  ordination  to  Preach  and  administer  ye  Sac- 
raments in  ye  Dutch  here  or  no. 

Hee  offers  to  bring  it  in  on  Thursday  next. 

A  Copie  of  Domine  Newenhuysen's  Orders  and  Instructions  from  ye  Classis  at 
Amsterdam,  to  be  taken  and  ye  Originalls  given  him  againe. 

Domine  Renslaer's  papers  of  Certificate  and  Testimonialls  were,  viz. 

The  Ordinacon  by  Dr.  Earle  Bishop  of  Sarum,  to  be  a  Deacon. 

His  Majesty's  allowance  of  him  under  his  Signett  to  be  a  Minister,  and  to  preach 
to  ye  Dutch  Congregation  at  Westminster 

A  Certificate  from  severall  persons  of  Quality  of  his  being  an  allowed  Chaplaine 
to  ye  Embassador  extraordinary  ye  Heer  Goph,  from  ye  States  of  Holland. 

A  Certificate  from  ye  Minister  and  officers  of  a  Church  in  London,  of  his  having 
oflBciated  as  a  Lecturer  there. 

The  Duke  of  Yorlc's  recommendation  of  him  to  the  present  Governor  here. 

Upon  whicli  ye  following  Order  was  made,  viz.  Upon  the  Complaint  of  Domine 
Nicholas  Van  Renslaer  Minister  of  Albany,  That  Domine  Wilhelmus  Newenhuysen, 
Minister  of  this  Towne  had  openly  and  with  words  of  contempt  said  that  Domine 
Renselaer  was  no  Minister,  and  his  ordinacon  not  good,  both  parties  appearing  this 
day  at  the  Counsell,  Mr.  Renslaer  having  produced  his  severall  Ordinacon  of  Dea- 
con and  Presbiter  by  the  Bishop  of  Salisbury,  also  attestacons  of  his  having  been 
Minister  to  Myn  Heer  Van  (Goph),  Embassador  from  the  States  Generall  residing 
at  London,  and  since  Minister  of  ye  Dutch  Church  at  Westminster,  and  Lecturer 
at  St.  Margaretts  Loathbury  in  London,  and  of  his  good  comport  in  said  Churches, 
together  vv-ith  his  Majesty's  Signett  for  Westminster,  and  his  Royal  Highnesse  let- 
ter of  recommendacon  to  this  place  or  Albany  if  vacant  and  made  appeare  his 
being  chosen,  admitted  and  officiating  in  ye  Church  at  Albany  according  to  their 
usual  manner  and  Constitucon  of  ye  Reformed  Church,  with  ye  approbation  and  Con- 
firmation of  ye  Magistrates  and  Governor  all  which  being  found  to  be  authenticke. 

Upon  a  full   hearing  of  all  partys  it   appearing  that   Domine   Newenhuysen  had 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  679 

spoken  ye  words  declaring  Domine  Renslaer  to  be  no  Minister  etc.  ye  above  testi- 
mony being  produced  In  Councell  to  ye  said  Newenhuysen  and  he  owned  to  have 
been  made  acquainted  therewith  still  insisted  ye  said  Domine  Renslaers  Ordinacon 
nor  Call  did  not  litly  qualify  him  to  administer  ye  Sacraments,  for  which  giving 
not  ye  least  sufUcieut  reason,  but  implied  according  to  his  owne  fancy. 

Being  Withdrawne,  after  mature  deliberacon  It  being  of  great  weight  and  Con- 
sequence, It  is  Resolved  that  ye  said  Domine  Newenhuysen  shall  have  some  time 
to  give  in  his  Answer  to  ye  above  in  writing,  which  he  desiring  no  longer  then  till 
Thursday,  Ordered,  That  on  Thursday  ye  30th  instant,  ye  said  Domine  Newen- 
huysen shall  by  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  appeare  and  bring  in  ye  same,  par- 
ticularly whether  ye  Ordination  of  ye  Church  of  England  be  not  sufficient  qualifi- 
cation for  a  Minister  comporting  himselfe  accordingly,  to  be  admitted,  ofliciate  and 
administer  ye  Sacraments,  according  to  ye  Constitucons  of  ye  Reformed  Churches 
of  Holland.  At  which  time  ye  Elders,  and  all  other  officers  or  ye  Dutch  Churcli 
are  likewise  required  to  appeare  and  be  present. 

By  Order  of  ye  Governor  in  Councell 

M.   N.    Seer. 
[Matthias  Nicholls] 
This  order  of  Councell  was  sent.  —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  526,  527. 


At  a  Councell  Sept.  30th,  1675.  Present.  The  Governor,  The  Secretary,  Mr. 
Laurence,  Capt.  Dyre  and  Mr.  Philips. 

This  day  being  appointed  at  two  o'clock  for  Domine  Newenhuysen  to  bring  in  his 
answer,  and  make  his  appearance,  with  ye  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Church. 

Hee  brings  a  paper  rather  in  the  Justification  of  himself  in  his  answer  than 
otherwise,  and  deneys  what  is  alleaged  against  him  by  Domine  Renslaer  therein. 

After  long  debate,  ye  Domine  and  ye  rest  of  ye  Elders  and  Deacons,  seeme  to 
allow  in  words,  what  is  denyde  in  writing,  viz..  That  a  Minister  Ordained  in  Eng- 
land by  the  Bishops  is  every  way  Capable  etc. 

Time  is  given  them  to  consider  againe  well  amongst  themselves,  and  give  a  final 
resolution  in  answer  to  the  Order  of  Councell,  tomorrow. 

There  were  before  the  Councell, 

Domine  Newenhuysen  Minister,  Mr.  Jeronimus  Ebbing,  Mr.  Peter  Stoutenberg, 
Elders;  Mr.  Jacob  Teunisse  Kay,  Mr.  Reyneer  Willemse,  Mr.  Gerritt  Van  Tright, 
Mr.  Isaack  Van  Vleck  Deacons. 

The  next  day  they  brought  in  their  paper  amended,  with  all  Submission. —  Doc. 
Hist.   N.   Y.   iii.   527. 


Defence  of  Van  Nieuwenhuysen. 

To  his  Excellency  Major  Sir  Edmond  Andres,  Governor-General 
of  His  Royal  Highnesses  Territories  in  America : 

Excellent  and  Honored  Sir: — • 

As  I  have  before  declared  in  the  presence  of  your  Excellencv 
and  the  Council,  so  I  still  by  these  declare,  that  the  complaint 
of  Domine  N'icholas  Van  Rensselaer  against  my  person,  is  not 
righteously  brought  in.  So  far  from  my  ever  questioning  his 
calling  as  a  minister,  ordained  by  the  Bishop  of  Salisbury,  to- 


1675 


1675 


680  Ecclesiastical  Kecokds 

getlier  ^^tli  his  certificates  of  the  same,  I  have  on  the  contrary, 
fully  assented  to  them,  when  they  were  presented  to  me.  In- 
deed, I  have  never  spoken  with  domine  Van  Rensselaer,  either  in 
private  or  in  the  presence  of  the  Consistory,  about  the  lawful- 
ness of  his  call  to  the  ministry;  nor  have  I  ever  hitherto  made 
any  special  distinctions  between  the  English  and  Dutch  Churches. 
I  sustain  the  one  as  well  as  the  other  —  I  am  not  referring  to 
the  language  nor  to  individuals  —  as  to  the  Rules,  Discipline 
and  Order,  where^vith  the  Church  is  served,  administered  and 
governed  in  each  country. 

But  as  to  the  point  to  which  I  am  especially  required  to  make 
answer :  It  is  my  opinion  that  the  ordination  of  the  Church  of 
England  is  a  sufficient  qualification  for  the  institution  of  a  min- 
ister, law^fully  called  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  and  for  the  send- 
ing of  him,  as  such,  in  the  dominions  of  his  Majesty,  wherever 
it  shall  please  their  Honors.  Nevertheless,  such  a  minister, 
would  not  be  permitted  to  administer  the  sacraments,  as  a  minis- 
ter of  the  Dutch  Church,  which  has  its  ot\ti  rights  to  be  gov- 
erned according  to  the  customs  of  the  JSTetherlands  Reformed 
Church,  without  having  previously  solemnly  promised,  as  is  usual 
in  the  admission  of  ministers  in  the  Netherlands,  to  conduct 
himself  in  his  services,  confoi-mably  to  their  Confession,  Cate- 
chism and  Mode  of  Government.  This  clearly  appears  from  the 
63rd  Article  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Churches  of 
the  Netherlands. 

It  is  also  my  opinion,  on  the  other  hand,  sa^dng  the  correction 
of  the  judges,  that  no  minister,  called  in  Holland  and  ordained 
by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  would  be  permitted,  as  a  regularly 
called  minister,  to  administer  the  sacraments  in  any  one  of  the 
Episcopal  Churches  of  England  without  previously  promising  to 
maintain  and  follow  the  Canons,  Articles  and  Rules  of  the  said 
Episcopal  Church,  in  his  services. 

Nevertheless  on  this  point,  I  shall  willingly  regulate  and  sub- 
mit myself  according  to  my  instructions,  to  the  further  explica- 


OF  THE  State  of  JSTew  York.  681 

tion  of  the  Classis  by  which  I  have  been  called,  invested  and  sent 
forth. 

Hoping  herewith  that  I  have  fulfilled  your  Honor's  order, 
I  am, 

Respected,  High  and  Honorable  Sir, 

Your  Excellency's  Servant  and  Subject, 

Wilhelmus  Van  Nieuwenhuysen. 

Conditions  Under  Which  an  Episcopal  Minister  !May  be 
Acknowledged  in  a  Dutch  Church. 

To  the  ^oble.  High,  Honorable  Sir,  Major  Edmund  Andros, 
Governor-General  of  all  his  Royal  Highnesses  Territories  in 
America. 

JSToble,  High  and  Honorable  Sir: — 

A  minister  according  to  the  order  of  the  Church  of  England, 
lawfully  called,  is  sufficiently  qualified  to  be  admitted  to  the 
serving  and  administering  of  the  sacraments  in  a  Dutch  Church 
belonging  under  his  Majesty's  dominion,  when  he  has  promised 
to  conduct  himself  in  his  service  according  to  the  Constitution  of 
the  Reformed  Church  of  Holland. 
Noble,  High,  Honorable  Sir, 

Your  Excellency's   Servants  and  Subjects, 

The  Consistory  of  the  City  of  I^ew  York, 
In  the  name  of  all. 

Wilhelmus  Van  Nieuwenhuysen,  Pastor. 

iNTew  York, 

October  1,  1675. 

Promise  of  Rev.  I^icholas  Van  Rensselaer,  to  Conform  to 

THE  Dutch  Church. 

I,  the  undersigned,  have  promised  and  hereby  do  promise, 
to  conduct  myself  in  my  Church  services  as  minister  of  Albany 
and  Rensselaers'w^^ck,  according  to  the  Dutch  Church,  conform- 


1675 


1675 


682  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

ably  to  the  public  Church  service  and  discipline  of  the  Reformed 
Church  of  Holland,  pursuant  to  that  which  I  have  solemnly  prom- 
ised in  my  public  installation  before  the  whole  congregation  of 
Albany,  etc. 

Done  in  the  presence  and  view  of  Domine  Wilhelmus  Van  ISTieu- 
wenhuysen,  minister  of  the  Word  of  God  in  New  York,  and  of 
Jeronimus  Ebbing,  Elder,  and  of  the  Burgomaster,  Oloff  Steven- 
sen  van  Cortlandt. 

Nicholas  van  Rensselaer, 

Minister  of  the  "Word  of  God  of  New  Albany. 

and  Rensselaerswvck. 
New  York, 

October  2,  1675. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Rev.  Selyns's  Report. 

1675,  Dec.  26th. 

Rev.  Selyns  gave  a  summary  account  to  the  Rev.  Assembly  of 
his  work  in  the  army,  at  the  same  time  thanking  the  Rev.  Classis 
for  the  supply  of  his  church  at  Waverveen.  He  also  handed  in 
very  laudable  testimonials,  both  from  the  Count  of  Waldeck  and 
from  the  officers  of  his  regiment.  These  were  very  gratifying 
to  the  Rev.  Classis,  and  it  thanked  him  once  more  for  his  faithful 
labors  in  the  army,  and  moreover  "vv^shed  him  every  blessing  and 
success,     vii.  128. 


I 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  683 

1676 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies. 

1676,  March  30th. 
Rev.  Lycochton  in  the  Chair. 

The  Rev.  Chairman  reported  that  in  the  matter  of  Rev.  (John) 
Megapolensis,  he  had  made  repeated  efforts,  with  the  gentlemen 
of  the  West  India  Company,  but  hitherto  he  had  not  been  able  to 
get  a  resolution  of  their  Honors  in  this  business.  The  brethren 
who  remain  are  recommended  to  urge  this  case  to  the  utmost  of 
their  ability. 

The  Minutes  of  the  Rev.  Classis  and  of  the  Deputies  ad  res 
Indicas  were  examined,  to  discover  if  any  business  needed  our  at- 
tention before  adjournment.  Nothing  was  found,  except  this  case 
of  Rev.  Megapolensis,  which  was  given  in  charge  to  the  Dep- 
uties.—  xxi.  159. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Widow  of  Rev.  John  Megapolensis. 

1676,  April  27th. 

The  case  of  the  widow  of  Rev.  (John)  Megapolensis  was  recom- 
mended to  Rev.  Deputati  ad  causas  transmarimas.  vii.  132. 
xix.  173. 

Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Esopus  for  a  Minister  of 

THE  Gospel.     [1676.] 

To  the  Right  Honorable  Sr.  Edmund  Andros  Kt.  Signor.  of  Saucamares;  Lieutenant 
and  Governor  General  Under  bis  Royal  Highness  James  Duke  of  Yorke  and 
Albany  and  Dependants. 

The  humble  Pettison  of  Severall  of  the  Inhablttance  of  Esopus  humbly  sheweth 
unto  your  Honor, 

Whereas  this  place  is  destitute  of  a  Minister  for  the  Instruction  of  the  people* 
It  Is  our  ernest  desiar  and  humble  request,  with  all  submission,  that  your  Honor 
will  bee  pleased  to  bee  aiding  and  assisting;  in  the  procuring  one  for  us;  that  can 


1676 


684  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

preache  both  English  and  Dutche,  which  will  be  most  fitting  for  this  place,  it  being 
In  its  Minority;  and  having  great  charges  is  not  very  able  to  maintaine  twoo  Min- 
isters; nethar  to  bee  at  the  Charge  of  Sending  for  one  out  of  England  or  Holland, 
and  wee  are  informed,  Mr.  Peetar  Taschemaker  is  at  liberty,  who  is  a  person,  well 
known  to  your  Honor  and  oficitted  in  this  place,  for  some  time,  And  if  to  be  pro- 
cured, is  very  well  approved  of  and  much  dessired  by  moste,  hee  beinge  a  man  of 
a  Sol)ar  life  and  conversason  having  Deportted  himselfe  to  satisfaction  of  ye  luhab- 
itanse,  Wherefor  wee  humbly  pray  that  your  Honor  will  bee  pleased  to  be  lustru- 
mentall  in  the  same  and  j-our  Honor's  humble  petitioners  shall  ever  pray,  Szc. 

Harmon  Gerritson,  Thomas  Vandemark,  Henrick  Herrickson,  Robert  Bickerstaff, 
Andrie  Petersen,  An  Broadhead,  Robert  Paycock,  William  Gray,  Jacob  Johnson  van 
Eten,  Richard  D.  Willson,  Melgur  Clare,  Robert  Chisam,  Thos.  Garton,  John  Cock, 
Georg  Mailes,  John  Bigges,  George  Porter,  Jacob  Jansen  Decker,  Frederick  Peter- 
son, Jeremiah  Keetel,  William  Janson,  Thomas  Quynell,  John  Parton,  Anthony 
Addison,  Tho.  Quick,  Teunis  Jacobson,  Claus  Teunison,  Arson  Garreson,  Garett  van 
flaet,  Henry  Pawling,  Gilbert  Krom,  Gerrit  Gisbert,  his  marke  Peter  &  B  Hilli- 
brand.  Evert  Price,  4-  this  is  the  marke  of  Warrener  Hooris  Beeck,  Nieklaes 
Rosevelt,  his  marke  Jacob  IB  Basteyaensen,  Heyman  Albertson  Roose,  Arien 
Albertson  Roosa,  his  marke  Lambart  +  Hubertson.  Roelof  Swartwout,  John 
Albertson  Roose,  his  marke  Garret  H.  Cornelisen,  |  Mattys  Blanchan,  his  marke 
Derick  *  Keyser,  Anthoine  Cresrel,  his  marke  Albert  A  Gowersen,  Johannes 
de  Hooges,  Jan  Joosten,  Louys  Dubois,  William  Asfordbie,  M.  Garton,  William 
Fisher,  his  marke  Cornelius  t  Der...,,  Ed.  Whittaker,  Jan  Jansen  Van....,  his 
marke  Thomas  4-  Matthews,  William  Legg,  Jonn  Ward,  Walter  Danniell,  John 
Hall,  his  marke  Thomas  +  Chadock,  his  marke  Poulus  X  Poulison,  his  marke 
Hendrick  *  Aldersen,  his  marke  Peter  -|-  Petersen,  Weynte  Ariens,  Jr. —  Doc. 
Hist.  N.  Y.   iii.   (4to.)  583.     Col.   Docs.   N.   Y.  xiii.  543,  544. 


Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

1676,  May  20/30. 

Eev.  William  Van  Meiiwenliuysen  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Eeverend,  Pious,  Very  Learned  and  Most  Discreet  Fathers  and 
Brethren  in  Christ: — 
Your  acceptable  letter  of  December,  1674,  reached  ns  safely; 
bnt  thus  far  we  have  had  no  opportunity  nor  suitable  material 
for  an  answer.  But  the  circumstances  which  have  now  befallen 
us  forbid  longer  silence.  The  principal  inducement  to  this  (letter) 
is  occasioned  by  the  controversy,  which  arose  between  me  and 
Domine  Xicholas  Van  Rensselaer,  who  has  been  palmed  off  upon 
the  pulpit  here,  rather  than  called  to  it  in  a  legal  way.  When 
this  man  came  here,  with  the  restoration  of  the  English  govern- 
ment, in  October  1674,  he  was,  after  a  few  months,  invested  with 
the  ministry  of  the  church  of  I^ew  Orange,  now  Xew  Albany, 


<i5>^t^i^'''va-t\rtw  I  O^-t-  ^i^Ur^fatil^iu  O'v^aJ^^^^^'^'^ ':^cl^'ro-H.^l^ 


'/ 


t$tAJt-i'it,  oftVt  ^it-^jd^fltV,  to  ^o^It^  ff<»i/«H<  i«a.ttK,  4Ktrir(>3K.tfut*?»ri^ 


<R<y4iiW^s  Jj^a'fi^Ji^L'ct 


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01.D  Manuscuipt— Dutch  Records. 


OF  THE  State  of  N^ew  York.  685 

without  the  least  consultation  with  any  ecclesiastical  persons  out- 
side of  the  said  place.  This  I  judged  to  be  directly  contrary  to 
the  rules  and  order  of  the  church  of  the  Fatherland.  When  he 
came  down  here,  (to  New  York)  I  accordingly  warned  him  by 
an  elder  that  he  could  not  administer  baptism  in  our  church, 
which  he  would  otherwise  have  performed^  unsolicited,  until  he 
should  present  evidence  that  he  had  passed  his  final  examination, 
and  had  been  ordained  to  the  office  of  the  ministry  by  the  laying 
on  of  hands  in  the  Fatherland.  Instead  of  producing  this  evi- 
dence, he  immediately  went  to  the  Governor  (Andros)  and  laid 
slanderous  charges  (against  me).  He  said  that  I  had  denied  that 
the  Church  of  England  was  a  true  church,  that  I  had  treated  the 
authority  and  letters  of  the  King  and  of  the  Duke  of  York  with 
contempt,  and  had  subjected  myself  to  the  charge  of  crimen  nescio 
quod.  [Crimen  leasae  Majestatis?]  Nothing  of  these  charges 
had  yet  been  shown  to  me,  or  seen  by  me,  as  presented  by  him. 
The  Council  being  called  together  here  concerning  this  matter,  I 
was  publicly  asked  if  the  Church  of  England  or  the  Bishop  of 
Salisbury  had  not  authority  to  ordain  a  minister  for  our  Dutch 
church.  Whereupon  I  persistently  declared  that  I  could  not  and 
would  not  acknowledge  any  Episcopal  government  over  the  church 
committed  to  my  care.  I  placed  myself  for  vindication,  upon  the 
Church  Order  of  the  Netherlands,  and  referred  to  my  instruc- 
tions received  from  your  Rev.  Body,  viz.,  that  all  things  must  be 
done  in  harmony  with  the  Netherland  Churches.  I  felt  that  if 
my  plea  was  not  sustained,  my  ministry  would  de  facto  cease;  yet 
I  doubted  not  that  some  means  would  be  honestly  provided  for  my 
family,  for  it  was  under  the  care  and  kindness  of  your  Bev.  Body 
that  I  was  sent  hither.  I  have  sent  you  a  copy  of  the  false  charge, 
as  well  as  my  lawful  defence,  that  you  may  understand  both.  I 
doubt  not  that  my  defence  of  the  freedom  of  the  Dutch  Church 
will  prove  acceptable  to  your  Rev.  Body,  for  you  are  the  pillars 
of  the  same.  In  the  meantime,  I  aw^ait  your  advice  and  counsel 
as  to  that  which  is  now  brought  before  you. 


1676 


1676 


686  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

The  church  here  does  not  now  increase  on  account  of  the  un- 
precedented proceedings  against  the  inhabitants  in  connection 
with  the  chano^e  of  ecovernment.  This  has  excited  the  hatred  and 
contempt  of  the  rulers  against  the  subjects.  I  should  not  be  sur- 
prised if  a  large  portion  of  the  Dutch  citizens  should  be  led  to 
break  up  here  and  remove.  The  bearer  of  this,  Aegidius  Lujck, 
S.  S.  Ministerii  Candidatus,  will  give  you  verbal  testimony.  I 
commend  to  your  attention  the  intelligence  he  will  furnish  you. 

I  close  by  supplicating  for  the  divine  blessing  upon  your  Classi- 
cal Assembly,  as  well  as  upon  your  ministerial  labors.  Praying 
for  the  prosperity  of  Jerusalem,  and  anxiously  desiring  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  holy  peace  throughout  Christendom,  and  com- 
mending ourselves  and  ours  to  your  kindness  and  favor,  I  remain, 

Reverend,  Pious,  Greatly  Learned,  and  Discreet  Sirs,  Your 
Most  Obedient  and  x\ffectionate  Servant  and  Brother  in  Christ, 

William  Van  Nieuwenhuysen, 
ISTew  York  in  America  Ecclesiastes  in  New  York. 

May  20/30,  1676. 

Widow  of  (Rev.  John)  Megapolensis. 

1676,  May  26th. 

Rev.  Deputati  report  that  nothing  further  could  be  done  in  the 
case  of  the  vridow  of  Rev.  (John)  Megapolensis,  on  account  of 
the  absence  of  the  Hon.  Ex-Directors  of  the  West  India  Com- 
pany,   vii.  135. 

(The  old  W.  I.  Co.  was  dissolved  in  1675,  and  a  new  company 
organized  on  a  different  basis.) 

Casparus  Van  Zuuren. 

1676,  July  20th. 

Rev.  Casparus  Van  Zuuren,  Cand.  S.  S.  Minister,  residing  out- 
side of  the  Tiendervrye  Gate  of  Gouda,  hands  in  a  satisfactory 
church  testimonial;  also  one  of  his  preparatory  examination,  held 
in  the  Classis  of  Gouda.     He  asks  that  he  may  be  received  as 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  687 

1676 

''  Eecommended ''  by  this  Classis  and  also  for  ser^dce  in  the 
churches  in  foreign  lands,  particularly  for  the  East  India  churches. 
His  request  was  very  gladly  granted,  after  he  had  given  a  digni- 
fied (deftig)  proof  of  his  gifts,  and  had  signed  the  formula3  of 
Concord,     vii.  137. 

Affidavits  Concerning  the  Conduct   of  Rev.   John  Mega- 

polensis  at  the  surrender,  1664. 

1676,  Aug.  15. 
(Stamp  of  Six  Stivers) 

To-day  the  loth  of  August  1676  appeared  before  me,  Adrian 
van  Santen,  :N'otary  Public,  admitted  by  the  Court  of  Holland, 
residing  at  Amsterdam,  in  the  presence  of  the  under-named  wit- 
nesses, Messrs.  Daniel  Hondecoutet  and  Jonas  Bartelsen,  both  of 
competent  age,  who  at  the  request  of  the  widow  and  heirs  of  the 
Rev.  Joannis  Megapolensis,  in  his  lifetime  servant  of  the  Holy 
Gospel  at  ^ew  Amsterdam  in  'New  l^etherland,  testified  and  de- 
clared, that  they  were  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  N"ew  Amsterdam 
aforesaid,  in    the  year    1664,  and   some  years    previous,  during 
which  time  the  said  late  Domine  Megapolensis  has  always  borne 
himself  in  his  duties,  as  a  pious  and  godly  preacher  is  bound  to 
do;  also  that  the  same  Pomine  Megapolensis,  at  the  time  of  the 
surrender  of  the  said  place,  did  not  in  the  least,  so  far  as  the 
affiants  know,   trouble  himself  in  words,   advice  or  deeds  about 
political  matters  nor  make  any  propositions,  which    might    have 
been  to  the  prejudice  of  their  High  Mightinesses,  the  Lords  States 
General,  and  the  privileged  West  India  Company  of  this  country. 
Affiants  give  as  reasons,  that  they  have  been  citizens  and  inhabit- 
ants at  the  aforesaid,  as  stated  above,  and  have  never  seen  any- 
thing else  of  the  said  Domine  Megapolensis  than  what  is  said  be- 
fore; offering  to  confirm  this,  if  required,  by  oath.     All  done  in 
good  faith  at  Amsterdam,  in  the  presence   of  Gillis   Grommel 
and  Jacobus  de  Femdry,  my  clerks,  as  witnesses. 

Quod  attestor, 

A.  van  Santen,  l^otary  Publick. 


1676 


688  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America.  Rev.  William  Van  Nieuwen- 
hnysen  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  (Extract  in  Minutes  ITorth 
Holland,  1677,  Art.  9.) 

1676,  Aug.  29tli. 

Reverend,    Pious,    Very   Learned,    Very   Prudent    Fathers    and 
Brethren  in  Christ. 

Gentlemen : — 

I  hope  that  your  Reverences  received  my  last  letter,  written  in 
May  and  sent  by  Domine  Aegidius  Luyck.  E'othing  particular 
has  happened  since.  The  death  of  Domine  Johannes  Theodorus 
Polhemus,  the  aged  minister  in  the  churches  of  Breukelen,  Mid- 
wout  and  New  Amersf oort,  all  on  Long  Island,  gives  us  occasion 
to  trouble  you  again.  Your  special  fondness  and  inclination  to 
keep  up  the  purity  of  doctrine  at  home  and  abroad,  has  so  touched 
the  minds  of  the  overseers  in  the  aforesaid  congregations,  that 
they  have  requested  me  to  move  your  Reverences  by  all  possible 
means,  on  their  behalf,  that  a  suitable  man  be  called,  installed, 
and  as  soon  as  possible  sent  over  as  their  preacher.  This  we  could 
not  refuse  to  do.  The  situation  of  the  villages  is  well  known  to 
Domine  Henricus  Selyns,  a  member  of  your  Rev.  Body.  There 
are  altogether  three  hundred  members.  The  salary  promised,  un- 
der the  signature  of  the  Magistrates  and  Consistory,  to  be  raised 
yearly,  amounts  to  seven  hundred  and  fifty  florins,  Holland  cur- 
rency, besides  a  free  residence  and  the  providing  of  fuel. 

May  the  love  of  Christ  incline  you  to  consider  how  wretched 
it  is  to  see  so  many  sheep  without  a  shepherd.  It  i&  well  known 
to  you  that  trees  grow  miserably  wild,  if  not  trimmed  and  pruned 
in  their  season. 

As  far  as  I  am  concerned,  I  shall  meanwhile  not  cease  to  do  the 
best  in  my  power  for  their  benefit;  but  you  may  easily  under- 
stand, how  little  time  I  can  spare  in  behalf  of  others,  when  I  am 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  689 

the  only  Dutch  minister  hereabouts,  and  must  attend  to  the  ser- 
yiees  in  our  congregation  three  times  a  week. 

The  money  to  pay  for  the  examination  fees  has  been  sent  to 
Domine  Selyns,  who  is  requested  to  hand  it  to  your  Reverences, 
if  necessary.  The  expenses  for  the  voyage  hither  of  the  preacher 
called  shall  be  paid  as  soon  as  he  arrives.  They  request  your 
Reverences  most  earnestly,  to  take  this  matter  to  heart,  that  it 
may  prosper  to  the  honor  of  God,  to  the  edification  of  the  congre- 
gation, and  to  the  praise  of  your  Christian  care.  Our  Noble, 
Very  Honorable  Governor  (Andros,)  has  given  his  consent  to  all. 

Herewith  we  commend  you  to  God  and  the  word  of  his  grace. 
We  pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem,  and  for  a  blessing  upon  your 
Reverences  and  upon  your  spiritual  advice.  Closing  with  the 
humble  salutation  of  the  above  congregation. 

Your  Reverences  Obedient,  and  Well-Dis- 
posed Servant  and  Brother  in  Christ 
New  York  in  America,  Wilhelmus  van  Nieuwenhuysen. 

29th  of  August,  1676. 

(There  is  another  letter  of  July  27th  1676  identical  with  the 

above.) 

An  Albany  Minister  in  Confinement. 

At  a  Councell  Sept.  8th,  1676.  Present.  The  Governor  Capt.  Brockholes.  The 
Secretary.     Capt.  Dyre. 

Upon  information  that  Domine  Renslaer  (one  of  the  Ministers  at  Albany)  is  con- 
fined by  the  Magistrates  there,  upon  matter  of  some  dubious  words  spolien  by  the 
said  Domine  in  his  Sermon  or  Doctrine. 

It  is  Ordered,  That  the  said  Domine  bee  releast  from  his  imprisonment,  and  any 
matter  concerning  the  same  is  to  bee  heard  here. —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  527. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Governor  in  Councell,  and  Minister  of  ye  City  of  New  lork, 
Sept.  15th,  1676.  The  occasion  was  the  returne  of  the  appeale  in  the  Case  between 
Domine  N.  Renslaer  and  Mr.  Jacob  Leysler,  and  Mr.  Jacob  Milburne,  had  before 
ye  Court  and  Consistory  at  Albany. 

Ordered,  That  as  Domine  Renslaer  hath  putt  in  Security  of  fifteen  hundred  guild- 
ers Holland's  money  for  to  prosecute,  so  ye  said  Leysler  and  Milburne  are  to  putt 
in  ye  like  Security  to  make  good  their  Charge. 

Ordered,  that  Mr.  Leisler  do  besides  himselfe,  put  in  one  or  two  others  as  Security 
for  five  thousand  pounds  by  tomorrow  before  noone. —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  528. 

I  Sept.  the  16th. 

The  Ensuing  Warrant  was  sent  up  to  Albany  by  the  Governor.  Whereas  Mr. 
Jacob  Milburne  hath  accused  Domine  Nicholas  Renslaer  for  words  spoken  by  him 
In  a  sermon  at  Albany  on  the  13th  last  past,  the  which  having  made  a  great  dis- 

44 


1676 


1676 


690  Ecclesiastical  Records 

turbance,  and  been  before  the  Church  Officers  and  Court  there,  and  at  last  remitted 
here  in  order  to  a  determination;  In  case  the  same  be  nott  already  taken  up  and 
Composed  before  this  comes  to  your  hands,  These  are  in  his  Majesties  name  to 
require  you,  to  cause  ye  said  Milburne  to  give  in  sufficient  Security  to  the  value 
of  one  thousand  pounds  for  his  appearance  to  prosecute  and  ansv/er  the  matters 
relateing  thereunto  according  to  Law;  which  if  he  shall  refuse  to  do,  that  hee  bee 
committed  to  safe  custody  into  ye  Sheriffs  hands,  of  the  which  you  are  not  to,  faile, 
and  to  make  a  speedy  returne  hereof;  Given  under  my  hand  in  New  York,  Septem- 
ber ye  16th  1676. 

E.  Andross. 
To  ye  Commander  and  Magistrates  at  Albany. —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  528. 

Sept.  the  18 til.  Mr.  Leysler  not  obeying  the  Order  of  the  Gov- 
ernor in  Coiincell  of  the  15th  Instant,  was  by  the  Governor's 
speciall  Warrant  committed  into  the  Custody  of  the  Sheriff. 

The  Warrant  was  as  followeth.  viz.     By  the  Governor. 

Whereas  Mr.  Jacob  Leisler  of  this  City  hath  accused  Domine  Nicholas  Renslaer 
for  words  spoken  by  him  in  a  Sermon  at  Albany,  on  the  13th  last  past,  the  which 
having  made  a  great  disturbance  and  been  before  the  Church  Officers  and  Court 
there,  and  at  last  remitted  here  in  Order  to  a  determination,  but  ye  said  Leysler 
not  having  given  Security  according  to  the  Law  and  Order;  These  are  in  his 
Majesty's  name  to  require  you  forthwith  to  take  ye  person  of  ye  said  Jacob  Leysler 
into  your  Custody,  and  him  safely  to  keep  in  Order  to  a  determination  according 
to  Law;  for  the  which  this  shall  be  your  sufficient  Warrant.  Given  under  my  hand 
in  New  York  this  18th  day  of  Septamber,  1676. 

1^.  Andross. 
To  ye  Sherifle  of  New  Yorke,  or  his  Deputy.—  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii.  528. 

At  a  Councell.  Sept.  23rd,  1676.  Present.  The  Governor  and  Councell,  the  Mayor 
and  Aldermen,  the  Ministers  of  ye  City.  Upon  reading  all  Evidences  and  papers 
relating  to  the  difference  between  Domine  Nicholas  Renslaer  and  Mr.  Jacob  Leysler 
and  Mr.  Jacob  Milburne,  but  ye  said  Milburne  not  being  present,  nor  any  autiiorized 
from  him. 

Resolved,  That  if  all  parties  are  willing  to  stand  to  the  friendly  and  amicable 
determinacon  made  by  the  Church  Officers  or  Kerken  Raat  at  Albany,  and  referr 
ye  matter  of  Charges,  (which  was  ye  only  obstruction  then)  to  ye  Governor  and 
Councell  and  persons  above.  That  then  they  will  proceed  to  a  finall  Determinacon 
therein;  But  if  not  then  a  short  day  shall  be  appointed  for  hearing  all  parties, 
and  taking  all  further  Resolves  and  order  therein  as  ye  Case  shall  require;  All 
parties  to  have  Coppies,  and  bring  in  their  Answers  by  ye  first  returne  from  Albany. 

Mr  Stephen  Van  Cortland  for  Domine  Renslaer,  and  Mr.  Jacob  Leysler  for  him 
selfe  doe  desire  an  Issue  may  be  putt  to  ye  businesse  in  question. —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y. 
iii.  528. 

The  Case  of  Domine  Schaets. 

Extraordinary  Court  holden  at  Albany,  Sept.  28,  1676.  Post  Meridiem. —  Present. 
Capt.  Salisbury,  Commander.  Capt.  Thom  De  Lavail,  Richard  Pretty,  Dirck  Wes- 
sells,  Pr.  Winne,  Capt.  Phill  Schuyler,  Andr.  Teller,  Jan  Thomase,  Marte  Gerritse, 
Mr.  Siston,  Sheriff.  Domine  Schaets,  Domine  Renslaer  and  some  witnesses  appear- 
ing in  Court  (all  the  papers  in  the  difference  between  the  two  above  named  Domines 
being  examined  and  reviewed)  they  are  by  order  of  the  Governor  to  be  reconciled 
according  to  Christian  duty  and  love,  as  it  specially  becomes  such  servants  of  God's 
Word.  Whereupon  the  above  named  Ministers  answer.  They  are  willing  to  be 
reconciled  with  all  their  hearts. 

Domine  Schaets  declares  the  twelve  men.  whom  he  accused  of  partiality  in  a 
Letter  written  to  the  Consistory  of  New  York,  to  be  honorable  persons,  and  say 
that  all  such  occurred  foolishly,  requesting  forgiveness. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  691 

Doctor  Corn.  Van  Dyck,  representing  the  Consistory,  Complains  that  Domine 
Schaets  being  sent  for  on  two  occasions  by  the  Consistory,  refused  to  come  to 
them,  in  direct  violation  of  the  Law  of  the  Church. 

Domine    Schaets    says    that    he    was    in    the    first    instance    declared      interested 
because  he  had  rendered   in  writing  his  opinion  of  Domine   Kenslaer's  preaching, 
but  that  was  not  done  to  excite  parties,  confessing  to  have  acted  very    improperly 
and  they  too  in  like  manner. 

Whereas  various  differences  have  arisen  and  sprung  up  between  the  two  Min- 
isters wherein  Domine  Schaets  charged  and  accused  Domine  Renslaer  with  false 
preaching;  and  Domine  Renslaer  thereupon  Replied  that  it  was  a  false  lie,  Domine 
Schaets  is  therefore  ordered  to  prove  the  same,  who  forthwith  drew  forth  a  little 
Book  containing  divers  old  comments  which  the  W.  Court  neither  accepted  nor 
received. 

Their  Worships  ask  parties  if  they  will  leave  and  refer  their  differences  to  their 
W's  decision? 

Who  answered.  Yes. 

Thereupon  the  W.  Court  resolved  unanimously  and  by  plurality  of  Votes,  that 
Parties  shall  both  forgive  and  forget  as  it  becomes  Preachers  of  the  Reformed 
Religion  to  do;  also  that  all  previous  variances,  church  differences  and  disagree- 
ments and  provocations  shall  be  consumed  in  the  fire  of  Love,  a  perpetual  silence 
and  forbearance  being  imposed  on  each  respectively,  to  live  together  as  Brothers 
for  an  example  to  the  worthy  Congregation,  for  edification  to  the  Reformed  Relig- 
ion and  further  for  the  Removal  and  banishment  of  all  scandals;  And  in  case  here- 
after any  difference  may  occur  or  happen  between  them,  they  shall  seek  redress 
from  the  Consistory,  to  be  heard  there;  but  parties  not  being  content  with  its 
award,  the  Consistory  shall  then  state  to  the  Governor  who  is  in  fault,  who  shall 
then  be  punished  according  to  the  exigency  of  the  case.  In  like  manner  each  was 
warned  not  to  repeat  or  renew  any  more  former  differences  or  variances,  under  a 
penalty  to  be  fixed  by  their  worships  of  the  Court. —  Doc.   Hist.  N.  Y.  ill.   529. 

Domine  Rensselaer's  Case. 

At  a  Councell  October  28rd,  1676.  Present.  The  Governor  and  Gouncell,  Some  of 
ye  Aldermen,  The  Ministers  of  the  City. 

Upon  a  Returne  from  Albany,  The  matter  concerning  ye  charges  about  ye  Differ- 
ences between  Dom.ine  Renslaer,  and  Mr.  Leysler  and  Milburne,  now  referred  by 
all  partys  to  the  determinacon  of  the  Governor  and  Councell,  the  same  being  taken 
into  consideracon  The  Ensuing  order  was  made  viz. 

Whereas  there  was  an  amicable  and  friendly  agreement  made  by  the  Church 
Officers  (or  Kerken  Raat)  at  Albany  of  the  Difference  between  Domine  Nicholas 
Renslaer  on  the  one  part,  and  Jacob  Leisler  and  Jacob  Milburne  on  the  other,  only 
as  to  the  matter  of  Charge,  the  which  was  referred  to  ye  Governor  and  Councell 
here. 

The  same  being  taken  into  Consideration,  It  is  Ordered,  That  Jacob  Leysler  and 
Jacob  Milburne  doe  pay  the  whole  charge  both  at  Albany  and  here,  as  giving  the 
first  occasion  of  the  difference,  and  that  Domine  Renslaer  bee  freed  from  bearing 
any  part  thereof,  and  this  to  be  a  finall  end  and  determinacon  of  the  matter 
betweene  ye  partyes  upon  this  occasion. —  Doc.   Hist.   N.   Y.   iii.  529,   530. 

Petition  from  Huntingdon,  L.  I.  Against  the  Quakers  and 

Indians. 

To  the  Right  Honorable  Edmond  Andross  Esq.,  Governor,  etc. 

The  humble  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Huntington  upon  Long  Island. 

Your  petitioners  humbly  desire  your  Honor  That  your  Honor  will  be  pleased  that 
some  Care  may  be  taken  That  the  Quakers  may  not  be.  suffered  to  Come  into  our 
Meeting  house  in  tyme  of  God's  Worship  to  disturbe   us  as  they  frequently  doe. 


1676 


1677 


692  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Alsoe  that  your  Honor  will  please  to  order  That  the  Country  rate  and  Minister's 
rate  may  be  made  both  in  one  and  alsoe  that  your  Honor  will  please  to  order  that 
the  Indians  may  not  plant  in  our  meadowes  which  wee  have  bought  of  them  and 
paid  for  which  is  very  much  to  our  Damage  And  your  Petitioners  shall  Ever 
pray  etc. 

Samuel  Titus,  Constable. 

Endorsed.     The  Law  to  bee  alttered  The  Indians  to  bee  sent  for  by  the  Constable  — 
1677.—  Doc.   Hist.   N.   Y.    iii.   209,  210. 


Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Van  Zueren. 

1677,  March  15tli. 

Rev.  Casparus  van  Zueren,  S.  S.  Min.  Cand.,  renews  his  re- 
quest to  be  advanced  to  the  service  of  the  churches  in  foreign 
lands,  and  the  same  was  acceded  to  with  pleasure  by  this  Assem- 
bly,   vii.  152.    xix.  175. 

Sent  to  ISTew  ITetherland. 

1677,  March  15th. 

Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Maritimas  represent  to  this  Assembly, 
that  Rev.  William  Nieuwenhuvsen,  minister  at  'New  York  in  New 
JSTetherland,  had  written  them  that  Rev.  John  Theodore  Pol- 
hemius,  minister  in  the  colonies  of  Breuckelen,  Midwout,  Amers- 
foort  and  New  Utrecht,  had  died  there,  in  that  land;  and  that 
delegates  from  that  place  had  promised  for  the  salary  of  a  minis- 
ter, a  yearly  sum  of  750  guilders,  Holland  money,  ($300.)  be- 
sides providing  a  free  dwelling  and  fire  wood.  They  would  also 
transmit  by  draft  some  money  for  defraying  the  expenses  which 
might  be  incurred  by  this  Assembly  in  making  out  a  (new)  call. 
They  also  declared  that  it  would  be  particularly  agreeable  to 
them,  if  Domine  Seljois  could  be  persuaded  to  accept  this  position, 
but  if  this  cannot  be,  that  some  other  capable  person  be  sent  to 
them  from  here.  This  proposition  was  laid  before  Rev.  Selyn^. 
He  declared,  however,  that  he  wished  to  be  excused  from  under- 
taking this  service.  Thereupon  the  Assembly  called,  by  a  ma- 
jority of  votes,  the  Rev.  Casparus  van  Zueren.  When  this  was 
communicated  to  him,  he  accepted  this  call  in  the  fear  of  the 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  693 

Lord.  After  preaching  a  sermon  lie  was  examined  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  Theology  by  Rev.  Domine,  Examiner  Jacob  Klerk.  In 
both  of  these  exercises  he  gave  peculiar  satisfaction.  lie  was  ac- 
cordingly ordained  to  the  ministry  in  the  presence  of  this  Assem- 
bly, by  the  Eev.  Examiner.  He  also  signed  the  usual  formulae, 
vii.  152.    xix.  175. 

Bishop  of  London's  Memorial  Kespecting  the  Churches  in 

THE  Plantations. 

On  the  17th  of  July  my  Lord  Bishop  of  London  presents  a 
memorial,  as  follows:  (1677.)  A  memorial  of  what  abuses 
are  crept  into  the  Churches  of  the  Plantations. 

1.  That  the  Kings  right  of  patronage  and  presenting  to  all 
benefices  and  cures  of  souls  which  happen  to  be  void  in  any  of  the 
plantations  is  not  duely  asserted  and  practised  by  the  several 
Governors  in  so  much  as  some  parishes  are  kept  vacant  where  a 
lawful  minister  may  be  had,  and  some  persons  are  commissionated 
to  exercise  the  ministerial  function  without  orders  both  in  Vir- 
ginia, Barbadoes,  and  other  places. 

2.  That  the  profits  of  each  vacant  parish  (instead  of  being  re- 
served for  the  next  incumbent,  as  they  are  by  law  here  in  Eng- 
land, or  otherwise  piously  disposed  of  for  ecclesiastical  uses)  are 
for  the  most  part  converted  by  the  people  to  their  own  use  during 
the  said  vacancy  which  does  very  much  encourage  them  to  op- 
pose all  offers  and  opportunities  for  their  supply. 

3.  That  the  ministers  which  ought  to  be  admitted  for  life  are 
often  hired  (as  they  term  it)  by  the  year  and  sometime  by  the 
sermon. 

4.  That  the  settled  ministers  are  in  a  great  part  deprived  of 
that  short  maintenance  which  their  laws  pretended  to  allot  them 
in  that  the  commodities  are  paid  generally  the  worst  and  over- 
rated, and  if  the  commodities  happen  to  be  of  a  just  value  to  what 


1677 


1677 


69-i  *  Ecclesiastical  Recoeds 

they  are  rated,  the  minister  is  forced  to  attend  till  another  year 
when  they  shall  be  worth  nothing. 

5.  That  in  Maryland,  etc.,  there  is  no  settled  maintenance  for 
the  ministers  at  all  the  want  whereof  does  occasion  a  total  want 
of  ministers  and  divine  worship  except  among  those  of  the  Roman 
belief  who  ('tis  conjectured)  do  not  amount  to  one  in  an  hun- 
dred of  the  people. 

6.  That  in  Virginia  (notwithstanding  their  own  law  to  that 
purpose)  there  are  no  public  places  alloted  to  bury  their  dead  in, 
insomuch  that  that  profane  custom  of  burying  in  their  gardens, 
orchards  and  other  places  still  continues. 

7.  That  the  vestries  there  pretend  an  authority  to  be  intrusted 
with  the  sole  management  of  church  affairs,  and  to  exercise  an 
arbitrary  power  over  the  ministers  themselves. 

8.  That  in  Virginia  there  is  a  great  defect  in  the  execution  of 
those  two  wholesome  laws  ^dz.  the  4  and  12  Acts  of  the  Assembly, 
the  one  prohibiting  all  marriages  to  be  solemnized  without  a  law- 
ful minister  imposing  the  punishment  due  for  fornication  on  the 
parties,  and  making  their  children  illegitimate  and  so  not  capable 
of  inheriting,  the  other  prohibiting  any  person  to  exercise  the 
ministerial  function  without  proving  himself  to  have  first  received 
orders  from  some  Bishop  in  England. 

9.  There  is  no  care  taken,  except  in  Virginia,  for  the  passage 
and  other  accommodations  of  such  ministers  as  are  sent  over.  Col. 
Docs.  K  Y.  iii.  253. 

Extracts  from  Letters. 

1677,  July  26th. 

Some  extracts  were  also  read  by  the  'Rev.  Deputati  aforesaid, 
as  follows:  some  extracts  from  a  letter  from  Rev.  Philip  Specht, 
of  Curacoa,  of  June  26th,  1676:  also  from  the  letters  from 
Batavia  dated  Jan.  30th,  1676;  also  some  from  a  letter  of  Rev. 
William  van  ^ieuwenhuysen,  dated  in  ISI'ew  York,  in  America, 
July  27th,  1676,  which  will  be  communicated  to  the  Rev.  Synod, 
vii.  166.     xix.  180. 


OF  THE  State  of  x^ew  York.  695 

1677 

Synod  of  North  Holland,  at  Hoorn. 

1677,  Aug.  10  et  seq. 
Art.  9.    Extracts  concerning  Indian  Affairs. 


Extract  and  letter  from  Kev.  William  Nieuwenhuysen. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Kev.  William  Nieuwenhuysen,  of 
New  York,  in  America,  dated  July  27,  1676. 

1.  He  makes  known  the  death  of  Kev.  Polhemius,  minister  of 
the  church  of  New  Breukelen,  Midwout,  New  Amersfoort,  all 
situated  on  Long  Island. 

2.  He  requests  in  a  very  friendly  manner,  that  Kev.  Classis 
would  again  provide  the  abovementioned  churches  with  a  capable 
person  in  the  place  of  Kev.  Polhemius. 

3.  With  the  circumstances  of  these  ^T.llages,  Kev.  Selyns  is 
very  well  acquainted. 

4.  That  there  are  three  hundred  members  in  them. 

5.  That  over  the  signatures  of  the  magistrates  and  the  con- 
sistory, a  promise  is  made  to  contribute  yearly  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  guilders,  Holland  value;  besides  a  suitable  dwelling,  and  the 
providing  of  free  fire  wood. 

6.  That  there  is  a  necessity  for  pro\'iding  for  this  church  as 
soon  as  possible. 

7.  That  the  money  for  the  expenses  of  the  examination  will  be 
provided  for  and  paid  by  Kev.  Selyns. 

8.  That  the  expenses  of  the  journey  of  the  minister  who  is 
called  will  be  thankfully  paid. 

9.  This  matter  has  been  arranged  with  the  consent  of  the 
Governor. 

10.  It  concludes  with  a  fraternal  salutation. 


1677 


696  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Ministerial  Changes. 

From  tlie  Classis  of  Amsterdam  were  sent  as  ministers: 

To  the  East  Indies 

To  Curacoa 

To  ISTew  iN'etherland,  Casparns  van  Zuren. 
To  Guiana  (Cajana) > 

Article  42. 

[A  long  Article,  showing  that  the  Synod  exerted  itself  to  the 
utmost  to  suppress  ^^  Brandt's  History  of  the  Reformation  ".] 


Art.  56.  List  of  Changes: 


In  the  Classis  of  Alcmaer. 

Rev.  Samuel  Megapolcnsis  departed  from  the  church  of  Wier- 
wigerwaart,  to  go  to  the  English  Church  at  Flushing. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

167Y,  Sept.  26th. 

The  Church  of  Kingston  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

To  the  Reverend,  Very  Learned  Classis  at  Amsterdam: 
Your  Reverences: — 

There  are  under  the  jurisdiction  of  I^ew  York  three  villages 
now  without  a  teacher  or  minister;  and  we  have,  together,  re- 
solved, to  raise  six  hundred  schepels  of  wheat  for  the  support  of 
a  minister,  who  will  serve  in  the  said  three  villages,  lying  about 
half  an  hour  from  each  other.  We  are  therefore  compelled,  to 
acquaint  your  Reverences  wdth  our  needs.  If  there  is  a  preacher 
there,  who  would  come  to  us  at  the  salary  stated;  a  man  of  good 
habits  and  sound  in  doctrine,  he  shall  have  said  salary  yearly. 


OF  THE  State  of  E'ew  York.  697 

To  this  we  bind  ourselves,  as  well  as  for  the  payment  of  his  ex- 
penses for  his  passage  here.  The  minister  shall  also  have  free 
house  and  free  fuel. 

We  certify  to  this  and  expect,  as  above  said,  a  good  minister. 
Meanwhile  we  remain, 

Your  Reverences  brothers  and  servants  in 

Christ  Jesus, 
The  Consistory  at  Kingston,  Hurley  and 
Marbletown.  Wessel  Ten  Broeck,  Jan 
Mattysen,  Dirck  Schepmoes,  Jan  Hen- 
dericksen,  Alaerdt  Heymansen  Roosa, 
Roelof  Henderickx,  Jan  Joosten,  Willem 
Jansen. 

(This,  and  the  petition  to  Governor  Andros,  September  27, 
1677,  resulted  in  the  coming  over  of  Domine  Laurentius  van 
Gaasbeeck;  and  the  originals  of  these  documents  are  in  the  pos- 
session of  his  descendant,  C.  H.  Van  Gaasbeeck  of  Elngston, 
K  Y.) 

Petition  of  Theee  Yilxages,  Kingston,  Etc.,  to  Call  a  Min- 
ister. 

1677. 

To  the  Honorable  Edmond  Andros,  Governor  General,  under  his 
Royal  Highness,  James,  Duke  of  York,  over  all  His  territories 
in  America. 

Your  Honor: — 

Whereas  in  the  three  villages  here  we  are  now  without  a 
preacher  and  cannot  be  accommodated  by  our  neighbors,  who  are 
at  such  a  distance  from  each  other,  we  have  raised  by  voluntary 
subscriptions  six  hundred  schepels  of  wheat  as  your  Honor  may 
learn  from  the  accompanying  list.  Eor  this  we  would  like  to  call  a 
preacher  and  it  is  our  humble  request,  that  your  Honor  will  give 


1677 


1677 


G98  Ecclesiastical  Records 

us  permission  to  call  a  preacher.     Hoping  Yonr  Honor  will  assist 
us  in  this  call,  we  remain, 

Your  Honor's  subjects  and    servants,  the 
Kingston,  Consistory  of  Kingston,  Hurley  and  Mar- 

27th  of  Sept.  bletown,  Wessel  Ten  Broeck,  Jan  Matty- 

1677.  sen,  Dirck  Schepmoes,  Jan  Hendricksen, 

Approved  Alaerdt  Hejmanse  Koosa,  Roelof  Hen- 

K'ew  York,  Oct.  8,  1677.  drik,  Jan  Joosten,  Willem  Jansen. 
E.  Andross. 

Eor  the  call  of  a  preacher  from  Holland  the  Deputies  from  the 
villages  of  Kingston,  Hurley  and  Marbletown,  promise  in  the 
name  of  their  congregations  yearly  to  raise  six  hundred  schepels 
of  wheat  to  the  value  of  three  thousand  florins  in  wampum;  but 
they  only  contract  to  pay  the  said  salary  in  nothing  but  wheat, 
and  not  more  than  six  hundred  schepels  of  wheat  in  each  year. 

Eor  Kingston  400  schepels 

Eor  Hurley  100  schepels 

Eor  Marbletown         100  schepels 


Total  600  schepels. 

Wessel  Ten  Broeck, 
Jan  Mattysen, 
H.  D.  Mover 
Compared  and  found  correct  Johannes  de  Hooges. 

R.  Rulens, 
Convent,  dep.  ad  res  Maritimas  Scriba. 

(This  is  found  in  English,   exactly  as  above,   in  Vol.  xxvii. 
144,  in  the  Archives  of  Classis  of  Amsterdam.) 

Marginal  note  on  the  above,     xx^di.  144. 

At  a  Councell  held  in  ^ew  York,  the  19th  day  of  November, 
1680. 

Present  the  Governor  et  Councell  Mr.  Wessel  Ten  Broeck,  Mr. 
Jan  Mattysen,  Mr.  William  de  Meyer  and  Mr.  Johannes  Hooges, 


OF  THE  State  of  ]^ew  York.  699 

1677 

authorized  from  the  Esopiis,  acquainting  the  Governor  that  they 

are  agreed  to  write  to  Europe  for  a  minister  in  the  room  of  their 

late  minister,  deceased,  desiring  his  Honor's  approbation  thereon, 

is  admitted  and  approved  accordingly,  but  in  their  letter  they 

are  to  give  direction  for  one  that  can  preach  in  English  alsoe,  if 

to  be  had;  and  if  they  write  to  BLolland,  that  it  be  communicated 

to  the  English  church  there. 

By  order  in  Councell,  etc. 

John  West,  Ck.  Concl. 
(See  also  Doc.  Hist.  iii.  583,  4to  ed.) 

Correspondence  from  America. 

Rev.  Caspar  Van  Zuuren  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Sept.  30,  1677.    xxi.  188-9. 

Reverend,    Pious,    Very    Learned,    Very    Prudent    Gentlemen, 
Fathers  and  Eellow-Laborers  in  Christ: 

Gentlemen: — 

Pursuant  to  the  call  conveyed  to  me  by  your  Reverend  Body, 
I  departed  from  Amsterdam  on  the  11th  of  June;  from  the  Texel 
on  the  13th;  and  I  arrived  at  the  port  of  Dover  on  the  15th, 
where  I  had  to  wait  sixteen  consecutive  days.  The  ship  was 
there  examined  by  the  Custom  officials,  and  we  also  took  on  board 
a  new  cargo.  We  went  to  sea  again  on  the  first  of  Jvdy,  and 
passed  out  of  the  channel,  not  without  some  danger,  but  under  the 
protection  of  the  Almighty.  For  the  sea  was  infested  with 
French  and  Turkish  pirates,  who  took  Dutch  passengers  and  crew 
even  from  English  ships.  But  under  God's  gracious  providence 
we  had  but  little  trouble.  We  landed  at  E^ew  York  on  the  9th 
of  September,  being  one  day  more  than  thirteen  weeks  after  we 
sailed  out  of  the  port  of  Amsterdam. 

I  have  been  kindly  entertained  by  Domine  Xieuwenhuysen  for 
a  fortnight,  during  which  time  I  had  opportunity  to  visit  the  vil- 
lages, (on  Long  Island)  and  to  choose  a  dwelling  place.     Thia 


1677 


700  Ecclesiastical  Records 

must  serve  me  imtil  a  new  house  is  built  for  me.  I  chose  the 
village  of  Midwout,  called  Flatbush,  (het  vlatke  land,  Flatlands,) 
lying  in  a  central  position  regarding  the  three  others.  Putting 
aside  all  other  considerations,  I  judged  it  to  be  the  most  con- 
venient for  the  services  required  in  the  other  villages  around  it. 
The  house  of  the  schoolmaster  here  has  temporarily  been  turned 
over  to  me.  It  was  hastily  and  only  partially  repaired,  to  serve 
me  for  the  present.  But  I  do  not  know,  how  long  this  arrange- 
ment will  last.  At  present  the  villages  are  at  variance  concern- 
ing the  erection  and  furnishing  of  this  new  house.  The  people 
of  Breuklen  and  Midwout  speak  of  an  agreement,  that  the  build- 
ing was  to  be  erected  at  the  general  expense  of  all  the  villages, 
and  at  such  a  place  or  village  as  the  preacher,  upon  his  arrival, 
should  consider  the  most  serviceable  and  convenient;  but  as  I 
fixed  upon  Midwout  as  the  place  of  my  abode,  the  people  of 
Amersfoort  and  of  Utrecht  deny  the  agreement.  xTevertheless, 
when  I  first  visited  their  villages,  they  themselves  proposed  to 
rent  or  to  buy  a  better  house  there,  than  that  of  the  schoolmaster, 
which  was  offered  to  me  in  Midwout.  'No\y  the  villages  of  Amers- 
foort and  of  Utrecht,  and  also  the  people  of  Breukelen  who  still 
hold  to  the  agreement,  each  offer  to  build  me  a  parsonage  at  their 
own  expense,  without  troubling  the  other  villages.  But  the  peo- 
ple of  Midwout,  where  my  predecessor,  J.  Theodorus  Polhemius 
lived,  stick  to  the  agreement,  relying,  as  I  think,  upon  the  ex- 
cellence of  the  position  and  upon  the  central  situation  of  their 
village,  as  stated  above.  I  have  tried  my  best  in  a  friendly  way 
to  adjust  this  difference  among  the  brethren,  but  all  in  vain  be- 
cause of  the  obstinacy  of  certain  ones,  who  seem  to  have  an  eye 
only  to  self  interest.  Even  if  I  agreed  to  live  in  Breukelen  or  in 
Amersfoort,  that  would  not  end,  but  rather  increase  the  difficulty, 
because  of  the  jealousy  between  these  two  places;  besides  I  could 
not  then  serve  all  the  villages  so  well,  living  too  far  from  some 
of  them.  I  should  perhaps  bring  this  matter  before  our  Noble 
Governor,  Edmond  Andros,  who  is  a  well  liked  and  discreet  gen- 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  TOl 

1677 

tleman,  well-affected  to  religion.  lie  would  as  I  believe  quickly 
decide  the  case  for  the  best  of  the  congregation.  But  I  thought 
it  would  seem  ridiculous  for  me  to  complain  of  my  congregation 
at  the  very  beginning  of  my  services,  as  if  they  were  not  fulfilling 
their  promises  to  me.  This  would  also  have  increased  the  bad 
feeling  not  a  little,  and  this  consideration  made  me  hesitate.  I 
therefore  prefer  patiently  to  leave  this  matter  to  God  and  time. 
In  every  other  respect  there  is  great  friendship  among  the  mem- 
bers in  general.  If  it  were  not  for  this  dispute  among  the  vil- 
lages much  good  might  be  done,  but  this  now,  I  fear,  will  be 
frustrated,  and  my  efforts  be  made  fruitless  for  a  while. 

The  whole  number  of  members  in  the  four  villages  is  about 
three  hundred.     At  Breukelen  there  are  one  hundred  and  six- 
teen, including  the  surrounding  hamlets  and  farms;  at  Midwout 
about  one  hundred;  at  Amersfoort  sixty,  and  at  Utrecht,  which 
is  the  poorest  village,  and  which  was  almost  entirely  destroyed  by 
fire  three  years  ago,  there  are  only  fifteen  or  twenty.     I  have 
also  been  obliged  to  hold  an  election  for  a  new  Consistory  there, 
viz.,  two  elders  and  two  deacons,  although    one  elder  and    one 
deacon  would  have  been  sufficient;  that  in  the  general  Consistory 
of  all  the  villages  Utrecht  should  not  be  at  a  disadvantage.     Be- 
fore I  could  begin  my  services  in  the  villages,  the  above  mentioned 
Governor  wished  to  hear  me  preach  in  the  city  first.     When  this 
had  been  done,  I  was  inducted  at  Midwout  on  the  19th  of  Sep- 
tember, and  there-after  I  preached  also  in  the  other  villages.     I 
hope  also  to  administer  the  Holy  Supper  in  each  \dllage  twice  a 
year,  being  eight  times  in  all;  because  the  people  of  the  different 
villages  can  easily  come  together  and  take  the  communion  with 
their  neighbors,  as  frequently  as  they  think  it  necessary.     The 
Supper  has  been  administered  by  Domine  Van  ]N^ieuwenhuysen, 
ever  since  the  death  of  Domine  Polhemius,  of  blessed  memory. 
The  salary  of  three  thousand  guilders  in  wampum,  is  not  quite 
worth  seven  hundred  and  fifty  in  Holland  currency,  but  only 


1677 


V02  Ecclesiastical  Records 

about  six  hundred  guilders  being  five  to  one,  and  not  four  to  one, 
as  I  was  promised.  This,  together  with  the  trouble  about  the 
building  and  furnishing  of  the  parsonage,  is  not  a  little  depress- 
ing at  the  beginning  of  my  ser\^ce  and  my  happiness  is  taken 
away.  In  addition,  although  eatables  are  cheap  here,  all  foreign 
goods  necessary  for  housekeeping  are  extremely  dear.  It  is  there- 
fore as  cheap  to  live  in  the  Fatherland  as  here.  ISTothing  more 
of  importance  has  occurred  in  the  churches  of  this  country,  ex- 
cept that  Domine  (ISTicholas)  Rensselaer  who  officiated  in  the 
Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  has  been  deposed  by  the  Governor  on 
account  of  his  bad  and  offensive  life.  Of  this  Domine  JSTieuwen- 
huysen,  who  knows  all  about  this  man,  will  probably  write  more 
details,  which  are  not  so  well  known  to  me. 

In  closing  I  commend  your  Reverences  to  God  and  the  word  of 
his  grace,  praying  for  the  peace  and  edification  of  Jerusalem,  the 
blessing  of  the  Almighty  upon  your  counsels  in  the  Classis,  and 
upon  your  services  in  your  churches.'  With  my  humble  greetings, 
I  am  and  remain, 

Your    Reverences    Obedient,  Very  Affec- 
tionate  Servant   and  Fellow-Laborer  in 
Christ, 
Casparus    van    Zueren,    Minister    of    the 
Dutch  congregation  (in  Kings  County) 
Midwout  on  Long  Island  in  America, 

the  30th  of  Sept., 
local  stile, 
16YY. 

List  of  members  at  the  settlement  of  Domine  Casparus  Van 
Zuuren  on  Kings  County,  Breuckelyn,  Midwout,  'New  Amers- 
foort,  New  Utrecht,  167Y. 

Brooklyn. 

Thomas  Lambertse  and  Jannetje,  z.  h.  (zijn  huisvrouw,  his  wife.) 
Jan  Gerritse  en  Anna  Remse,  z.  h. 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  Yokk.  703 

1677 

Pauliis  Dirkee  en  Jannetje,  z.  h. 

Tennis  Janse  en  Barbara  Liicas,  z.  h. 

Hans  Tennise  en  Marretje  Tennis,  z.  h. 

Lucas  Tennis 

Bonrgon  Brouard 

Dirk  Storm  en  Marie  Pieters,  z.  h. 

Jan  Harm  Bergen,  Jannetje  Tennis,  z.  h. 

Panlus  Dirkee,  Aagte  Tennis,  z.  li. 

Elizabeth  Paulns 

Elizabeth  Thomas 

Hendrickje  Johannes 

Styntje  Gerritse 

Marie  Pieters 

Waale  Qnartie. 

Rem  Jansen  '  ' 

Joris  Bemse  ', 

Tunis  Gysbertje  Bogart 

Joris  Hanse  Bergen. 

Jannetje  Joris  Papalje,  z.  h. 

Hildegond 

Femmetje  Pemsen, 

Sarah  Joris  Rapalje, 

Postscript  to  letter  of  Van  Zueren  of  Sept.  30th  1677. 

To  the  Reverend,  Pious,  Very  Learned  Domine  Cornelius  Danc- 
kerts.  Faithful  Servant  of  God's  Word  in  the  Congregation  of 

Christ at  Amsterdam:   (This  Cornelius  Danck- 

erts  was  brother  of  Rev.  Edward  Danckerts,  minister  of  the 
Dutch  Church  at  Smyrna.) 

Admodum  Reverende  Domine: 

These  few  lines  are  to  serve  only  as  postscript,  because  the  facts 
contained  therein,  occurred  after  closing  my  first  letter ;  namely, 
that  the  dissensions  concerning  the  erection  and  expenses  of  a  new 
parsonage  for  us,  have  been  settled,  by  the  two  leading  men  of  the 


1677 


704  Ecclesiastical  Kecoeds 

Diitch  villages,  who  are  called  Justices,  in  the  following  manner: 
They  understood  somewhat  differently  the  words  which  I  under- 
scored in  my  letter,  and  because  of  which,  we  had  argued  about 
the  common  expenses  of  the  carpenter  work.  They  imagined  that 
I  would  have,  not  only  a  suitable  house  for  dwelling  in,  and  for 
use ;  but  that  it  was  also  to  be  my  hereditary  possession ;  that,  when 
I  should  die,  it  would  belong  to  my  wdfe  or  children,  etc. ;  because 
since  my  salary  and  the  free  fuel  were  at  my  own  disposal,  the 
house  was  to  be  so  likewise.  This  does  not  seem  entirely  consistent, 
unless  they  also  after  my  death  intend  to  give  my  salary  and  free 
fuel  to  my  wife  or  children.  This  I  do  not  think  they  meant  to 
do,  and  do  not  claim  it,  as  it  would  be  quite  contrary  to  precedent, 
and  w^as  never  promised.  It  seems,  that  the  statements  mentioned 
in  my  letter  were  so  convincing  to  these  leading  men,  that  they 
understood  the  case  better,  listened  to  reason,  and  gave  reasonable 
answers,  and  finally  this  decision  followed.  This  conclusion  in- 
deed, is  somewhat  lame;  so  much  cannot  be  drawn  from  the  said 
premises;  because  the  three  things,  salary,  house  and  fuel,  are 
common  and  at  my  disposal,  and  to  be  used  at  the  pleasure  of  the 
minister;  but  they  last  no  longer  than  the  minister's  life.  At 
his  death  he  must  give  them  all  up  to  his  successor;  and  there- 
fore also  the  house,  wdiich  was  loaned  to  him  and  granted  to  him 
only  for  this  purpose,  namely,  to  dwell  in  it  while  attending  to 
his  duties.  As  far  as  I  know  at  least,  this  is  the  usual  custom 
all  over  the  world,  in  all  countries  where  the  Reformed  service  is 
maintained  by  the  ministerial  office.  I  do  not  doubt  therefore, 
but  that  is  the  sense  and  meaning  of  the  words  in  their  letter,  and 
which  were  mentioned  and  underlined  in  mine.  I  shall  be  able  to 
inform  you  in  my  next,  how  the  congregation  understands  this, 
and  what  will  be  the  outcome  of  the  matter.  Meanwhile  please, 
at  your  opportunity,  communicate  the  foregoing  to  the  Rev.  Classis. 
Relying  on  this,  I  remain  with  due  respect.  Sir, 

Your  obliged  and  willing, 
From  Midwout,  Casparus  van  Zuuren. 

the  9th  of  Oct.  16YY.  . : 


OF  THE  State  of  Kew  York.  TO 5 

Proposalls  from  the  Constables  of  ye  East  and  j^orth  Rid- 
ings TO  THE  GOVR.  AND  CrT.  OF  AsSIZES. 

To  ye  Right  Honorable  Edmond  Andros  Esq.,  Governor  Generall  of  all  his  Royall 
Hlghnesse  Territories  in  America,  The  Worshipfull  his  Majesties  Justices  of  ye 
Peace  sitting  in  the  Honorable  Court  of  Assizes  this  4th  of  October  1677. 

The  humble  Desire  of  ye  Constables  of  ye  East  and  North  Riding  on  Long  Island: 

To  your  Honor  and  Wopps.  most  humbly  Sheweth  it  Is  their  desire  that  the  Main- 
tenance and  Encouragement  for  ye  Ministry  may  by  some  way  bee  Established  and 
that  such  encouragement  may  bee,  that  there  may  bee  a  Minister  in  Each  Respective 
Towne  that  wants. 

21y  That  there  may  also  bee  some  way  Established  for  the  Maintenance  of  a 
Schoolmaster  In  Each  Towne. 

Sly  That  your  Honor  and  Worpps.  would  be  pleased  to  consider  of  some  way  to 
prevent  the  great  abuse  there  is  of  Indians  being  frequently  made  Drunke  to  the 
great  disturbance  of  severall  Townes. 

41y  That  if  there  must  be  entry  made  by  all  Vessells,  that  come  from  our  Neigh- 
bour Collony  to  trade  with  us,  that  there  might  be  an  Oflflce  in  Each  Place  of 
Trade  that  soe  they  might  enter  and  Cleare  where  they  soe  trade  and  not  to  be 
compelled  to  come  to  this  city  to  doe  the  same. 

51y  That  your  Honor  and  Worpps.  would  consider  the  great  Wronge  that  many 
sustain  by  reason  of  the  Over  Value,  that  is  sett  upon  Horses  and  Mares  in  ye 
Rates  it  being  above  Double  what  they  are  worth  and  all  other  Rates  (viz.)  the 
Ministers  Rate  and  the  Towne  Rate  being  made  by  the  same  Valluatlon,  as  the 
Country's  Rates  are  made  by. 

61y  That  there  may  be  some  order  by  this  Honourable  Court  Established  Con- 
cerning stray  Cattle  that  stray  away  from  one  place  to  another;  that  the  person 
that  takes  up  any  such  shall  within  a  certalne  time  bring  In  writting  to  the  Con- 
stable of  the  places  the  marks  of  all  such  both  Naturall  and  Artificlall. 

71y  That  whereas  there  Is  no  Law  extant  concerning  Pound  breach,  that  your 
Honor  and  Wopps.  would  establish  one  to  that  end. 

John  Mulford  John  Jagger 

Samuel  Glouer  Samuel  Lekes 

Past  1677.  John  Thompson. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  730,  731. 


Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Rev.  Caspar  Van  Ziieren,  Eccle- 
siastes  on  Long  Island,  in  America.  "No  date;  about  1677-8. 
xxvii.    124. 

Reverend,   Godly,   Highly  Learned   Sir,   and  Brother  in   Christ 

Jesus :  — 

Your  letter  of  September  30th  1677,  together  with  the  accom- 
panying and  gratifying  postscript,  dated  October  9,  1677,  came 

safely  to  hand.     With  unwonted  joy  we  learned  of  your  safe  pas- 

45 


1677 


1678 


706  Ecclesiastical  Records 

sage.  It  grieved  us,  however,  to  learn  that  soon  after  your  arrival 
a  fire  of  division  blazed  up  among  the  villages  under  your  minis- 
try, about  the  building  of  a  parsonage  for  you ;  but  perceiving 
from  the  postscript  to  your  letter,  that  the  same  had  been  quenched 
through  the  wise  management  of  the  two  magistrates  of  the  two 
Dutch  villages,  with  God's  gracious  blessing,  our  hearts  were  again 
refreshed.  We  hope  that  what  has  been  done  will  be  so  under- 
stood by  the  church,  that  entire  satisfaction  mav  result  therefrom^ 
and  that  you  may  pursue  your  duties  among  that  people  with  joy 
and  peace.  We  shall,  in  accordance  with  your  request,  acquaint 
our  Classis  vrith  all  the  particulars  at  the  first  opportunity.  Be 
pleased  to  continue  to  inform  us  as  to  the  condition  and  circum- 
stances of  the  church  entrusted  to  your  supervision  and  care. 
This  will  be  very  agreeable  to  us.  Furthermore,  be  commended 
to  God  and  the  word  of  his  gi-ace.  With  the  most  hearty  wishes 
for  the  richest  blessing  of  the  Most  High  upon  yourself,  your 
household  and  your  ministry,  be  •heartily  greeted  by  those  who 
are  and  remain. 

Rev.,  Godly,  Highly  Learned  Sir,  and  Brother  in  Christ, 

Your  obedient, 
In  the  name  of  the  Deputies  ad  res  Maritimas  et  extraneas  eccle- 
siasticas, 

Henricus  Iviest,     Eccls.  Amstelod.  et  Con- 
ventus    Deputatorumx    ad    res    Ecclesiast. 
p.  t.  Praeses. 
Henricus     Rhvnsdvck,     Eccles.     Amstelod. 
ejusdera  conventus,  p.  t.  Scriba. 

Call,  as  Ministers  to  the  Moscow,  Rev.  Theodorus  Schoonerwoerd ; 

and  to  Aesopus,   in  'New  ISTetherland,  Rev.   Laurentius  Gaas- 

beeck. 

1678,  March  7th. 

The  Rev.  Deputati  ad  res  Maritimas  have  made  it  thoroughly 
understood,  that  upon  whatever  footing  it  may  be,  a  minister  will 


OF  THE  State  or  Xew  Yokk.  707 

1678 

have  to  be  called  for  the  Moscow,  at  the  request  of  the  gentlemen 
of  the  Muscovy  Trade.  They  had  received  a  written  application 
from  the  Reformed  church  there,  (for  a  minister)  in  the  place  of 
the  one  deceased.  Also  there  was  needed  a  minister  for  the  three 
villages  on  the  Aesopus,  in  'New  Xetherland.  To  this  end  the  Rev. 
Classis  had  been  requested  to  meet.  Therefore  Rev.  Peter  Pavo 
was  introducted  into  the  room  who  offered  his  services  for  the 
church  of  Moscow;  as  likewise  Rev.  Theodore  Schoonwoordt,  can- 
didate, of  Leerdam,  who  exhibited  a  recent  certificate,  as  to  his 
edifying  walk,  from  the  Rev,  Consistory  of  Leerdam. 

Rev.  Cnaeus  Cornelius  Uythagen,  formerly  chaplain  in  the 
States'  army,  was  also  brought  in.  After  exhibiting?:  several  very 
laudable  testimonials,  both  in  resrard  to  his  preachin,?:  and  other 
particulars,  he  offered  his  services  for  the  churches  in  foreign 
lands,  and  particularly  for  those  in  Asia,  likewise  also  Rev.  Lau- 
rentius  Gaasbeeck,  licentiate  and  Medical  Doctor,  residing  now 
at  Amsterdam,  and  who  had  previously  reported  himself  here, 
exhibited  ao-ain  his  church  certificate  from  Levden.  It  was  re- 
solved,  after  Rev.  Gaasbeeck  had  given  a  brief  specimen  (proof  je) 
of  his  gifts  before  the  Rev.  Classis,  that  in  behalf  of  the  greatest 
benefits  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  favorable  heed  would  be  given 
to  the  request  of  all  these  brethren. 

Hereupon  the  Rev.  Assembly  called,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,, 
from  the  nominations  made  up  of  these  three  persons,  viz.  Rev. 
Theodore  Schoonerwoort,  Rev.  Thomatius  de  Bruin,  and  Rev. 
Cnaeus  Cornelius  Uythagen,  as  minister  in  the  Moscow,  Rev. 
Theodorus  Schooner^voort.  He  having  been  called  in,  and  being 
informed  thereof  by  the  Rev.  President,  declared  himself  willing 
to  accept  this  call,  and  for  this  purpose,  previous  to  submit  to 
final  examination  here. 

Also  from  these  three  persons  put  in  nomination,  viz.  Rev.  Peter 
Pavo,  Rev.  Laurence  Gaasbeeck,  and  Rev.  John  Arnaem,  minis- 
ter at  Bettemer  in  East  Friesland,  there  was  called  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  as  minister  to  the  three  villages  of  Aesopus,  in  IN'ew 


1678 


70S  Ecclesiastical  Records 

J^etherland,  Rev.  Laurence  Gaasbeeck.  He  was  called  in,  and  in- 
formed thereof  by  Rev.  President.  He  declared  himself  inclined 
and  willing  to  follow  up  this  call,  and  for  this  purpose  to  subject 
himself  previously  to  the  final  examination. 

Examination  and  Ordination  of  these  two. 

After  Rev.  Schoonerwoordt  had  preached  a  sermon  on  John 
vi:4:4;  and  Rev.  Gaasbeeck  had  been  first  heard  on  Psalm 
xxiii:4,  the  examination  of  these  two  individuals,  now  called, 
was  proceeded  with.  Having  given  good  satisfaction  therein,  they 
were  both  solemnly  ordained  by  the  Rev.  Examiner,  Abrahaim 
Montanius,  (Bergen?)  with  the  laying  on  of  hands.  They  also 
signed  the  usual  formulae  of  Concord. 

The  next  Classis,  which  will  be  the  first  regular  one  this  year 
will  be  held,  God  willing,  on  the  28th  of  this  month,  at  w^hich 
Laurentius  Homma  will  preside,     vii.  174-175.     xix.  183-4. 

CouisrciL   Minutes Huntington   and    Their 

Clergymen  ; 

At  a  Councill  etc. 
March  18th  1677/8. 


An  order  to  the  Constable  and  Overseers  of  Huntington  to  empower  them  to  levy 
by  distresse  the  Rate  to  ye  Minister  and  their  Town  Rate.—  Col  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv. 
734. 


Governor  Andros'  Answer  to  Enquiries  of  the  Council,  of 
Trade.  Received  in  London,  April  9,  1678,  Chiefly  Re- 
lating TO  [N'ew  England. 

1678. 

14.  I  doe  not  knowe  that  there  is  any  superioritie  of  one  Collony  over  another, 
but  all  independent  though  generally  give  place  to  and  are  most  influenced  by  the 
Massachusetts,  both  in  state  and  religion, 

15.  I  doe  not  find  but  the  generality  of  the  Magistrates  and  people  are  well 
affected  to  ye  King  and  Kingdome,  but  most  knowing  noe  other  government  than 
their  owne,  think  it  best,  and  are  wedded  to  and  oppiniate  for  it.  And  ye  Magis- 
trates and  others  in  place,  chosen  by  the  people,  think  that  they  are  obliged  to 
assert  and  maintaine  said  Government  all  they  cann,  and  are  Church  Members, 
and  like  soe  to  be,  chosen,  and  to  continue  without  any  considerable  alteracon  and 
change  there,  and  depend  upon  the  people  to  justifie  them  in  their  actings. 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  700 

IG.  There  are  severall  sorts  of  religions  In  all  the  Collonyes,  but  inconsiderable 
to  ye  Presbiterlans  and  Independents;  being  only  allowed  (but  not  all  Church  Mem- 
bers) except  att  Roade  Island,  where  most  are  Qualiers,  but  government  now  out 
of  their  hands.  I  have  not  heard  of  any  Church  or  Assembly  according  to  ye 
Church  of  England  in  any  the  Collonyes;  their  Ecclesiasticall  Government  is  as  in 
their  law  bookes,  and  practice  most  or  wholly  independent.  Their  Colledge  at 
Cambridge  directed  as  by  their  law  booke. 

17.  There  is  a  trade  between  the  Collonyes  and  New  Yorke  of  European  goods, 
some  wine  and  rumm,  fish  and  provision. 
"  (Signed)  E.  Andross. 

—  Col.  Docs.  N.  y.  ill.  264. 


Answer  of  Governor  to  Enquiries  About  New  York. 


1678 


18.  Ministers  have  been  so  scarce  and  Religions  many  that  noe  account  cann  be 
given  of  childrens  births  or  christenings. 

19.  Scarcity  of  Ministers,  and  law  admitting  marriages  by  Justices,   no  account 
cann  be  given  of  the  number  marryed. 


1678,  April  16. 

26.  There  are  Religions  of  all  sorts,  one  Church  of  England,  severall  Presbi- 
terlans and  Independants,  Quakers  and  Anabaptists,  of  severall  sects,  some  Jews, 
but  Presbiterlans  and  Independants  most  numerous  and  substantial!. 

27.  The  Duke  maintains  a  chaplain  which  is  all  the  certaine  allowance  or  Chirch 
of  England,  but  peoples  free  gifts  to  ye  ministry.  And  all  places  oblidged  to  build 
churches  and  provide  for  a  minister,  in  which  most  very  wanting,  but  Presbiterlans 
and  Independants  desirous  to  have  and  maintaine  them  if  to  be  had.  There  are 
about  twenty  churches  or  meeting  places  of  which  aboue  halfe  vacant  their  allow- 
ance like  to  be  from  40  li  to  70  11  a  yeare  and  a  house  and  garden.  Noe  beggars 
but  all  poore  cared  ffor.  If  good  Ministers  could  be  had  to  goe  theither  might  doe 
well  and  gaine  much  upon  those  people. 

Endorsed 

"Answers  of  inquiries  of  New  Yorke. 
Received  from  Sr.  Edm.  Andros  on  the  16th 
of  April  1678  ".—  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  iii.  261-2. 


Acts  of  the  Ceassis  of  Amsterdam. 

Van  Zueren's  Letters. 

1678,  May  2nd. 

Rev.  Deputati  ad  caiisas  Maritimas  read  to  the  Assembly  ex- 
tracts from  two  letters,  written  at  Midwondt,  in  New  Netherland, 
by  Rev.  Casparus  van  Zueren,  and  dated  Sept.  SOtli,  and  Oct.  9tli, 
1677.  They  related  to  his  arrival  in  New  Netherland,  his  resi- 
dence, for  the  present,  at  Midwoudt,  and  the  number  of  his  church 
members  at  Brenckelen,  Midwoudt,  Amersfoort,  and  New  Utrecht. 
These  letters  have  been  already  answered,     vii.  178.     xix.  184. 


1678 


10  Ecclesiastical  Records 


aIatthias  Xicols  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Prudden"  of  Jamaica. 

Reverend  Sir  —  I  must  crave  your  excuse  that  I  have  not  ere  now  returned  you 
an  answer  of  what  you  desired  at  Jamaica,  touching  liberty  of  setting  a  day  a  part 
for  your  Congregacon  to  assemble  together  to  worship  God  more  particularly  at 
this  season.  I  have  communicated  the  same  to  the  Councell,  who  are  well  content 
therewith,  and  that  you  make  use  of  the  publick  meeting  house  in  your  Towne  any 
day  this  week  or  next  following  where  none  are  to  presume  to  give  you  disturb- 
ance in  your  divine  exercise.  You  laying  no  Injuncteon  on  any  but  leaving  them  to 
their  freedome  who  are  willing  to  partake  with  you  therein.  In  which  I  pray  God 
to  give  you  comfort  and  the  good  successe  you  ayme  at  or  may  desire,  for  the  good 
of  the  Church  or  State.     So  I  take  leave  and  remaine, 

Tour  very  humble  servant, 

M.  N. 
New  York,  —  Doc.  Hist.  X.  Y.   iii.   121. 

June  24,  1678. 


Friexds,  IX  West  Jersey,  Resolve  to  Hold  ]^,ioxthly 


Meetixgs. 


1678,  July  15. 


Since  by  the  good  Providence  of  God,  many  Friends,  with  their  families,  have 
transported  themselves  into  this  Province  of  West  Xew  Jersey,  the  said  Friends  in 
those  upper  parts,  have  found  it  needful,  according  to  our  practice  in  the  place 
we  came  from,  to  settle  "  Monthly  Meetings  "  for  the  well  ordering  the  affairs  of 
ye  Church,  it  was  agreed  that  accordingly  it  should  be  done,  and  according  it  was 
done  the  15th  of  ye  5th  month,  1678. 

Note.  Two  companies  of  Quakers  had  arrived  at  New  Castle  in  1677,  and  settled 
at  Burlington,  N.  J. 


Synod  of  Xorth  Eollaxd,  at  Ex^ckhuyzex'. 

1678,  Aug.  1  et  seq. 

Art.  9.     Rev.  RiTclolpliiis  Varick. 

Rev.  Rudolphiis  Yarick,  formerly  minister  in  the  East  Indies, 
at  Alalacca,  was  present,  and  requested  to  be  admitted  as  ^^  Recom- 
mandatus  "  of  tlie  Synod.  Eor  this  purpose  he  exhibited  proper 
certificates  both  ecclesiastical  and  civil.  Thereupon  his  request 
was  2:ranted. 

Art.  10.     Ministers  sent  out  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 


To  Esopus,  in  Xew  Xetherland:     Rev.  Laurence  Gaasbeeck. 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  711 

Account  of  a  Church  of  Exglaxd  Service  in  New  York/ 

Oct.  IT),  lOTO. 

loth  Sunilay.  Wo  went  at  noon  to-day  to  hear  the  English  minister,  whose 
services  took  place  after  the  Dutch  Church  was  out.  There  were  not  above  twenty 
five  or  thirty  people  in  the  Church,  The  lirst  thing  that  occurred  was  the  reading 
of  all  their  prayers  and  ceremonies  out  of  the  prayer-book,  as  is  done  in  all 
Episcopal  Churches.  A  young  man  then  went  Into  the  pulpit  and  commenced 
preaching,  who  thought  he  was  performing  wonders;  but  he  had  a  little  book  In  his 
hand  out  of  which  he  read  his  sermon,  which  was  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  or 
half  au  hour  long.  With  this  the  services  were  concluded,  at  which  we  could  not  be 
sufUciently  astonished.  This  was  all  that  happened  with  us  to-day. —  Danker'a  and 
Sluyter's  Journal,  1070-80.     Page  148. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Correspondence  from  xVmerica. 

Eev.  Caspar  Van  Zueren  to  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  October  30, 
1678.  xxi.  209.  (Extract  in  Mints.  Syd.  North  Holland, 
1680,  Art.  9.) 

Eeverend,  Pious,  Very  Learned,  Very  Prudent  Gentlemen  and 
Brethren  in  Christ :  — 

Gentlemen : — 


1679 


The  letter  sent  me,  by  the  Kev.  Deputies  for  the  Foreign  and 
Transatlantic  Aifairs  of  the  church,  was  handed  to  me  by  Domine 
Gaasbeck,  the  minister  sent  over  for  the  congregation  at  the 
Esopus.  I  learn  therefrom  your  Peverences  friendship  for  us 
personally  as  well  as  for  our  church.  I  thanh  you  from  my  heart, 
and  request  you  to  continue  your  interest  in  us,  even  as  we  also  will 
persevere  in  informing  you  of  the  condition  of  our  church  as 
opportunity  offers.  The  following  lines  will  serve  this  jD^^rpose 
for  the  present : 

The  last  information,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection,  which  I 
sent  you  on  church  matters,  was  about  the  promised  parsonage 
and  its  cost.  This  matter  caused  a  difficulty  among  the,  several 
villages,  especially  between  ISTew  Amersfoort  and  iNTew  Uytrecht; 
and  for  no  other  reason  than  jealousy  of  Midwout,  which  village 
I  had  selected  as  my  place  of  residence.     This  was  a  central  loca- 


1678 


712  Ecclesiastical  Records 

tion,  and  consequently  the  most  convenient  for  attending  to  the 
services  of  all  the  others.  We  tried  many  ways  to  restore  har- 
mony, but  in  vain.  The  proposition  of  the  two  principal  judges 
was  reversed  on  the  next  day  by  ximersfoort  and  Uytrecht.  Fi- 
nally, these  places  could  not  be  brought  further  in  regard  to  the 
costs  of  the  dwelling  promised  me,  than  the  amount  which  they 
had  consented  to  give  for  my  salary,  namely,  the  Amersfort  people 
eight  hundred  florins;  the  Uytrecht  people  six  hundred  florins, 
all  in  wampum.  The  people  of  Midwout  had  to  be  satisfied 
therewith.  Even  if  said  village  should  sometime  call  a  min- 
ister for  themselves  alone,  Midwout  was  then  to  be  obliged  to 
have  the  house  allotted  to  me,  appraised,  and  to  pay  back  to  these 
villages  so  much,  as  it  should  be  adjudged  that  their  eight  hundred 
florins  amounted  to,  and  were  worth,  then.  This  was  to  be  used 
for  fitting  up  the  house,  which  they  would  then  provide  for  their 
m.inister.  Meanwhile  all  this  was  done  without  communicating 
with  Breukelen,  and  this  raised  a  new  question  when  the  costs  for 
the  house  were  collected  and  had  to  be  paid.  The  Midwout  people 
claim  from  Breukelen  one  fourth  as  their  proportion  of  the  salary ; 
but  the  Breukelen  people  will  not  give  more  than  eight  hundred 
florins  in  wampum,  like  the  people  of  Amersfort.  It  is  calculated 
that  the  house  will  cost  about  ^ve  thousand  florins  in  wampum. 
To  this  the  other  villages  have  contributed  only  about  twenty  two 
hundred  florins  and  Midwout  is  to  pay  the  balance.  If  the  matter 
falls  out  otherwise,  and  much  to  their  disadvantage,  I  should  have 
spoken  in  time  about  it  to  his  Excellency  the  Governor.  I  have  no 
doubt  that  then  it  w^ould  have  turned  out  to  the  greater  satisfaction 
of  the  Midwout  people.  But  Midwout  was  too  careless,  although 
they  knew  their  opponents.  So  far  as  I  am  concerned,  I  would 
willingly  have  taken  the  trouble  to  complain  myself ;  but  I  thought 
to  do  this  against  my  own  congregation  in  the  beginning  of  my 
service  was  ridiculous,  and  could  only  have  been  followed  by  more 
bad  feeling  and  alienation.  I  remembered  also,  with  how  much 
trouble  the  liberties  of  our  Dutch  church  here  were  defended  by 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  713 

« 

Domine  Nieuwenhiijsen.  I  therefore  judged  it  not  advisable  to 
trouble  tlie  Governor  with  it,  and  have  hitherto  delayed  doing  so. 
But  besides  this  something  else  has  rather  unexpectedly  hap- 
pened to  me.  It  may  easily  be  guessed  from  this,  how  the  minds 
of  the  people  here  are  divided ;  how  little  zeal  and  love  there  is 
for  God  and  his  service.  The  following  will  prove  this  still  more 
fully.  I  believe  I  have  mentioned  in  my  former  letter  the  small- 
ness  of  my  salary;  that  the  promised  three  thousand  florins  in 
wampum  would  in  Holland  currency  and  value  not  be  worth  more 
than  six  hundred  florins,  and  not  seven  hundred  and  fifty,  as  I 
was  given  to  understand,  as  well  as  the  Rev.  Classis.  This  was 
done  by  Domine  ^^ieuwenhuj-sen,  who  therein  did  not  act  in  good 
faith.  He  misled  me  and  the  congregation  as  well  as  the  Rev. 
Classis.  He  makes  only  this  excuse,  that  he  received  his  salary 
in  such  values,  while  he  acknowledges,  that  neither  was  he  treated 
with  good  faith.  He  had  been  promised  one  thousand  florins  Hol- 
land currency,  in  specie.  But  he  learned  on  his  arrival,  that  no 
silver  money  was  in  circulation.  It  was  then  agreed,  that  he 
should  have  at  the  rate  of  four  gaiilders  for  one,  and  thus  a  com- 
pensation such  as  is  usual  here,  in  wampum  or  beavers.  It  was 
then  really  four  for  one,  in  wampum ;  but  wampum  has  since  lost 
in  value,  and  is  now  only  five  for  one ;  and  this  was  so  in  the  year, 
when  Domine  iSTieuwenhuysen  w^rote  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  to  ask 
for  a  minister  for  my  congregation;  and  what  reasoning  for  a 
minister!  Somebody  else  has  cheated  me;  therefore  I,  too,  may 
cheat  another  man.  I  am  obliged  to  receive  my  salary  that  way ; 
ergo,  the  minister,  who  is  to  come,  must  receive  it  in  the  same 
way.  Such  reasoning  is  more  appropriate  in  the  mouth  of  a 
worldly  man,  than  of  an  honest  Christian  and  teacher  in  the  holy 
church,  in  reference  to  another  minister,  etc.  My  salary  therefore 
can  hardly  be  equivalent  to,  and  certainly  not  worth  more  than 
than  six  hundred  florins.  I  also  believe  and  assure  your  Rever- 
ences, that  in  Holland  more  food  and  clothing,  with  all  the  neces- 
saries of  housekeeping  can  be  bought  for  four  hundred  and  fifty 


1678 


^- 


14  Ecclesiastical  Records 


1678 


florins.  It  is  not  surprising  therefore,  that  last  year,  I  had  to 
spend  three  hundred  florins,  Holland  currency,  or  wampum,  of 
my  own  private  means. 

I  told  the  congregation  three  times  last  year,  that  the  three  thou- 
sand florins  were  not  the  equivalent  of  the  sum  promised  by  them ; 
that  they  did  not  yield  seven  hundred  and  fifty  florins;  much 
less  so  much  money,  in  Holland  currency,  as  they  had  agreed  to 
pay  me;  that  the  salary  was  not  sufficient  to  feed  me.  But  all 
was  in  vain.  Mockery  and  disregard  were  my  answ^ers.  The 
third  time,  when  I  had  called  together  the  Consistories  of  all  four 
villages,  to  consider  the  business  of  the  church,  the  Amersfort  and 
Uytrecht  people  stayed  away.  The  first  would  not  come,  because 
the  Justice,  living  in  the  village  and  being  one  of  the  elders,  is 
an  enemy  to  his  own  people  and  church.  He  is  the  same  man, 
who  has  caused  me  most  all  my  troubles,  by  his  power  in  politics. 
The  others  could  not  come,  because  an  elder  of  the  village  was 
busy  building,  and  needed  the  help  of  the  others.  That,  in  their 
judgment,  was  reason  enough  to  remain  away.  However,  necessity 
compelled  me  to  bring  up  the  matter  a  fourth  time  in  a  Consis- 
torial  meeting.  Then  I  demanded  for  my  support  five  hundred 
schepels  (bushels)  of  wheat  and  fifteen  hundred  florins  in  wam- 
pum, equivalent  here  to  nine  hundred  florins,  Holland  currency; 
but  which  really  is  not  worth  more  than  can  be  bought  in  Holland 
for  six  hundred  florins.  So  much  at  least,  a  minister  needs  for 
keeping  himself  and  his  family.  This  he  has  also  fairly  earned 
by  services  in  four  scattered  villages,  and  away  from  his  Father- 
land, where  the  salaries  usually  amounted  to  as  much,  if  not  more 
than  at  home,  on  account  of  the  dearness  of  all  goods,  and  of  com- 
pensation for  the  dangers  of  the  voyage.  Thereupon  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  congregations  of  all  the  villages,  were  called  together. 
The  result  and  resolution  was,  that  they  would  give  me  five  hun- 
dred schepels  of  wheat  and  seven  hundred  and  fifty  florins  in  wam- 
pum. If  w^heat  was  worth  six  florins  in  wampum  per  schepel,  it 
would  have  made  three  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fiftv  florins 


OF  THE  State  of  ^N'ew  York.  715 

in  wampum,  being  at  the  rate  of  five  to  one.  But  at  present  wheat 
is  very  low  in  price,  because  in  other  Provinces,  whence  it  is  sent 
here,  it  is  very  cheap.  The  traders  might  take  it  at  six  florins  in 
wampum ;  but  then  they  pay  us  in  goods,  which  do  not  cost  them 
in  Holland,  England,  etc.  more  than  twelve  stivers  Holland  cur- 
rency, (twenty  four  cents).  When  paid  in  wampum,  it  would 
not  be  possible  to  obtain  five  fiorins  per  schepel. 

They  admitted  to  me,  as  did  also  the  Deputies  from  the  villages, 
that  ^Ye  to  one  Vv^as  due  to  me  in  wampum  pay.  They  wanted  also 
as  a  matter  of  course,  to  give  me  one  hundred  florins,  Holland 
currency,  to  boot,  and  call  it  full  pay.  Finally,  I  requested  that 
for  the  wheat,  a  draft  of  five  hundred  florins  should  be  bought  for 
me  from  one  of  our  merchants  in  ^ew  York,  payable  in  Holland. 
This  w^as  done.  This  would  cost  this  vear,  now  that  wheat  is 
low  in  price,  one  florin  per  schepel;  five  hundred  florins  in  Hol- 
land, for  five  hundred  schepels.  The  balance,  two  hundred  and 
fifty  florins,  for  it  was  altogether  seven  hundred  and  fifty,  they 
could  pay  me  in  wampum,  at  the  rate  of  five  for  one,  or  twelve 
hundred  and  fifty  florins.  Let  the  wkeat  be  dear  or  cheap,  the 
draft  called  for  silver.  They  might  gain  or  lose,  but  I  did  not 
want  to  do  either.  If  wheat  is  worth  twenty  four  stivers  (forty 
eight  cents)  in  a  draft,  as  it  has  been  for  some  years,  and  was 
offered  to  me  last  year,  they  gain,  as  they  acknowledge,  one  hun- 
dred florins  in  wampum,  as  may  be  figaired  out  from  the  above. 
If  a  little,  even  fifty  or  one  hundred  schepels,  had  to  be  lost,  it 
can  better  be  done  by  a  congregation  of  more  than  three  hundred 
and  thirty  members,  than  by  a  minister,  who  has  to  live  on  his 
salary.  This  he  must  do  according  to  the  precepts  of  our  Savior. 
The  minister  does  enough  when  he  prepares  for  his  final  exami- 
nation, (which  was  then  quite  costly)  ;  when  he  risks  his  ovm.  and 
his  family's  lives  at  sea ;  and  also  risks  the  adventures  of  the  sea 
every  year  in  the  largest  proportion  of  his  salary.  If  I  must  re- 
ceive and  spend  my  salary  here,  or  else  lose  one  hundred  florins 
of  it,  Holland  currency,  then  I  cannot  possibly  support  myself 


1678 


1678 


71 G  Ecclesiastical  Records 

here,  on  account  of  the  exceeding  dearness  of  all  goods  brought 
from  other  countries ;  and  even  of  some  made  and  consumed  here. 
I  have  repeatedly  represented  to  them,  that  if  they  would  give 
me  only  as  much  for  the  necessaries  of  the  household,  as  can  be 
bought  for  six  hundred  florins  in  Holland,  then  I  would  be  quite 
satisfied  to  serve  four  villages,  and  that  in  the  country;  although 
he  who  serves  only  one  village  in  Holland,  has  at  least  six  hundred 
and  fifty  florins,  and  I  would  give  up  one  hundred  and  fifty 
florins.  I  cannot  give  away  everything  and  make  myself  destitute. 
I  must  also,  and  the  duty  is  especially  incumbent  on  a  minister, 
provide  for  my  family ;  for  he  who  does  not  do  this  is  worse  than 
an  unbeliever ;  yea,  has  denied  the  faith,  etc. 

All  this  confusion  has  been  caused  by  the  letter  of  Domine 
iNieuwenhuysen  with  his  rate  of  four  for  one.  If  they  had  spoken 
only  of  a  few  hundred  schepels  of  wheat,  without  explaining  the 
value  of  it,  as  was  done  by  the  congregation  of  Esopus,  then  prob- 
ably we  would  have  escaped  all  these  difficulties.  Time  will  tell 
however,  whether  Domine  Gaasbeck  at  Esopus,  whose  salary  in  a 
draft  on  Holland  wdll  bring  about  five  hundred  and  forty  florins, 
because  their  wheat  is  not  so  good  as  ours  on  Long  Island;  or  if 
he  uses  it  here,  only  three  hundred  and  fifty  florins ;  —  whether 
his  Reverence  can  live  on  it  with  his  wife  and  two  children.  As 
to  Domine  ISTieuwenhuvsen,  he  has  four  thousand  florins  in  wam- 
pum  value ;  paid  partly  in  wampum,  and  partly  in  beavers.  The 
latter  gives  a  large  profit,  for  everything  can  be  obtained  for 
beavers;  sometimes  even  the  goods  brought  by  private  parties,  at 
very  cheap  rates.  Beavers  are  valued  highly  everywhere,  but  wam- 
pum has  no  value  anywhere  else  than  in  l^ew  I^etherland,  (or 
America.)  I  have  to  give  twenty  seven  florins  in  wampum  for 
a  beaver.  Then  the  expenses,  custom  duties,  and  license,  run  up 
to  half  of  a  Rixdaaler  in  Holland  money  (a  Rijksdaler  =  $1.)  ; 
or  altogether,  to  six  florins  fifteen  stivers, —  five  stivers  more,  than 
they  are  worth  in  Holland;  besides  the  risks  of  the  sea.  Then 
also,  we  have  not  often  the  opportunity,  for  it  has  usually  passed 


OF  THE  State  of  ]N'ew  Yokk.  717 

1678 

before  we  know  of  it,  of  making  a  good  bargain;  or  we  have  no 

beaver. 

'iDomine  l^ieiiwenbiivsen  has,  besides,  obtained  another  increase 
and  draws  salary  from  the  congregation  of  Bergen,  etc.,  for  ad- 
ministering the  communion  there  four  times  a  year.  Therefore 
he  can  support  himself  much  better  than  others,  although  not 
quite  so  well  as  a  minister  in  a  Dutch  village,  even  though  his 
place  is  at  the  capital  city  of  the  whole  country.  I  am,  there- 
fore, the  more  astonished,  that  he  so  unreasonably  opposes  me  in 
my  just  claims.  He  excites  against  me  the  members  of  my  con- 
gregation, and  blackens  my  character  among  the  merchants,  be- 
cause I  often  censure  their  improper  gains  and  godless  traffic, 
which  tend  not  to  accommodate  and  serve  us,  but  almost  to  the  ruin 
of  the  inhabitants  here,  as  he  himself  says.  An  advantage  to  him 
would  undoubtedly  arise  from  my  property.  A  good  conscience, 
resulting  from  irreproachable  habits,  gives  to  its  owner  the  courage 
to  speak,  when  another  would  be  silent  and  would  howl  with  the 
wolves  among  whom  he  is  in  the  woods.  A  man  in  whose  heart 
the  fear  of  God  has  not  taken  root,  will  rather  aggravate  an  error 
committed  by  him,  by  a  second  one,  as  if  thereby  to  defend  the 
first,  than  clear  himself  of  the  first  error  and  conceal  the  second, 
in  order  not  to  destroy  his  conscience  completely. 

We  sit  here,  meanwhile,  in  great  distress,  not  knowing  w^hat  the 
congregation  will  give.  The  last  proposition,  about  the  five  hun- 
dred florins  in  a  draft,  and  twelve  hundred  and  fifty  florins  in 
wampum,  amounting  to  the  promised  sum  of  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  florins,  although  not  in  Holland  value,  was  flatly  rejected 
with  great  disdain;  and  not  without  slandering  not  only  myself, 
but  all  ministers  in  the  Fatherland,  who  leave  a  smaller  congrega- 
tion to  serve  a  larger  one,  as  having  in  their  opinion  no  other  ob- 
ject in  view,  than  the  increase  of  money  and  therefore  are  nothing 
else,  than  hirelings.  A  soul  fearing  God,  would  abhor  such  lan- 
guage. Especially  was  such  language  used  by  the  Justice  of 
Amersfort,  w^ho  from  the  first,  when  I  selected  Midwout  for  my 


1078 


718  Ecclesiastical  Records 

place  of  residence,  lias  been  my  sworn  oppon-ent.  He  liowls  with 
the  English  and  oppresses  his  own,  the  Dutch  people,  with  un- 
reasonable and  unnatural  zeal.  The  above  mentioned  meetin<r 
separated  in  so  much  confusion,  that  I  was  completely  deprived 
of  means  to  improve  my  position.  Reasoning  being  useless,  they 
employed  force,  as  there  was  a  sufficient  number  of  my  adver- 
saries among  their  own  judges.  I  had  to  be  satisfied  with  the  offer 
of  five  hundred  schepels  of  wheat  and  seven  hundred  and  fifty 
florins  in  w^ampum,  or  call  myself  paid  with  three  thousand  florins 
of  wampum.  Even  if  I  sent  for  them  six  times,  they  w^ould  never 
come  again. 

]!^ot  to  excite  their  minds  any  further,  I  committed  my  case 
to  the  Justice  of  l^ew  Uytrecht.  He  although  not  of  our  religion, 
is  a  man  of  good  understanding,  especially  in  philosophy  and 
in  the  mathematics  of  Des  Cartes.  I  shall  be  able  to  tell  in  my 
next  letter  the  result  thereof. 

The  house  is  not  yet  finished,  I  am  living  at  a  neighbors  until 
it  is  ready,  which  will  be  in  a  few  weeks.  The  Breukelen  people 
provide  me  with  fueL  Last  year  the  Midwout  people  did  it ;  but 
they  did  it  in  such  a  manner  that  I  had  to  buy  wood  and  pay 
for  it  myself.  So  far,  therefore,  neither  the  one  thing  or  the 
other  has  been  given  to  me ;  not  sufficient  salary ;  no  house ;  no  free 
fuel.  The  reasons  for  these  dissensions,  for  which,  according  to 
my  adversaries,  I  am  to  blame,  are  really  these:  I  am  not  on 
sufficiently  familiar  terms  with  them,  and  do  not  visit  the  villages 
and  the  villagers  often  enough.  I  preach,  in  turn,  at  all  the  vil- 
lages. I  make  house  visitations  four  times  a  year,  and  administer 
the  communion  eight  times.  These  duties  have  been  most  onerous, 
especially  at  first ;  the  location  of  the  village  is  such,  that  I  cannot 
do  much  visiting,  unless  I  give  up  my  studies  completely,  as 
Domine  Selyns  well  knows,  etc. 

If  the  difficulties  continue  I  shall  speak  to  his  Excellency,  our 
Governor,   about  them.      But  then  some  evil  results  are  hardlv 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  Yokk.  719 

1678 

doubtful.  They  will  be  either  disadvantageous  to  myself,  or  bad 
for  the  liberty  of  our  church.  This  perhaps,  may  be  somewhat 
restricted.  Even  my  own  Consistory,  especially  the  previously 
mentioned  Justice  of  Amersfort,  will  not  allow  me  exactly  to  regu- 
late myself  according  to  the  church  rules  of  Holland.  This  is 
not  the  least  of  my  sorrow  as  may  well  be  imagined.  Domine 
]Srieuwenhuysen  once  worried  through  such  a  case  with  the  Gover- 
nor. Haughtiness  when  associated  with  ignorance,  makes  a  man  at 
once  intolerable,  especially,  if  he  be  a  person  of  low  extraction, 
and  who  can  give  no  reasons,  or  cannot  understand  the  reasons 
given  to  him. 

How  I  shall  endure  all  this  trouble,  while  I  have  at  the  same 
time  to  attend  to  my  duties,  I  can  hardly  imagine.  Patience  is 
the  best  thing.  But  in  the  meantime  to  be  obliged  to  impoverish 
myself  in  the  service  of  such  an  uncharitable,  ungrateful  and 
stubborn  congregation,  while  I  have  to  hear  so  much  spite,  disdain 
and  reproach  —  this  cannot  create  in  me  any  other  resolution  than 
one  to  return  home  as  soon  as  possible.  I  should  have  done  so  al- 
ready, if  the  chances  and  the  season  had  not  passed  away  for 
this  year.  Finally  I  request,  that  your  Reverences  will  please 
to  consider  this,  my  distressed  condition,  and  put  in  operation 
such  counter  measures  as  you  shall  judge  useful  for  our  relief 
and  comfort.  This  I  shall  most  anxiously  await,  especially,  if 
my  return  to  the  Fatherland  is,  perhaps,  prevented  by  the  Gover- 
nor, through  these  envious  people.  Herewith  closing,  with  cordial 
salutations  and  wishes  for  the  blessings  of  the  Almighty  upon 
your  Rev.  Assembly,  persons,  services,  and  families,  I  remain, 

Gentlemen  and  Brethren, 
Your  Very  Obliged,  Humble  Servant  and  Brother, 

Casparus  van  Zuuron. 
Midwout,  on 

Long  Island,  in 

^ew  ]N"etherland, 

the  30th  of  Oct.  1678. 


1678 


720  Ecclesiastical  Eecokds 


Kev.  Charles  Wolt^-- 

I  1678-1680. 

Gov.  Andros  had  arrived  In  this  country,  accompanied  by  his  wife  on  November 
1st  1674,  and  entered  on  the  government  on  the  10th  of  that  month.  He  returned 
to  England  in  November  1677,  and  was  Isnighted  by  Charles  II.  in  1678.  On  May  27, 
1678,  he  sailed  again  for  New  Yorlj  in  the  ship  Blossom,  Richard  Martain,  of  New 
England,  Master.  He  was  accompanied  by  his  chaplain,  Rev.  Charles  AVolley,  and 
others.  Wolley  had  received  his  Masters  degree  at  Cambridge  in  1B77.  He  re- 
turned to  England  in  1680.  He  published  a  book  —  "A  Two  Years  Journal  in  New 
York  "  by  Rev.  C.  AY.;  A.  M.;  London  170L  "  (See  Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  lii.  74L)  Re- 
published, New  York,  1860.  Therein  he  describes  New  York  as  "  a  place  of  a^ 
sweet  and  agreeable  air  as  I  ever  breathed  in,  and  the  inhabitants  both  English 
and  Dutch  very  civil  and  courteous  ". 

Of  the  clergy,  "Wolley  says: 

"  In  the  same  City  of  New  York  where  I  was  Minister  to  the  English,  there  were 
two  other  Ministers  or  Domines,  as  they  were  there  called,  the  one  a  Lutheran  a 
German  or  High  Dutch,  the  other  a  Calvinist  a  Hollander  or  Low  Dutchman,  who 
behaved  themselves  one  towards  the  other  so  shily  and  uncharitably  as  if  Luther 
and  Calvin  had  bequeathed  and  entailed  their  virulent  and  bigotted  spirits  upon 
them  and  their  heirs  forever  ". 

Yet  Wolley  does  not  appear  to  have  been  without  interest  in  missions  among  the 
Indians.    In  an  account  of  them  he  says: 

"  May  the  lover  of  souls  bring  these  scattered  desert  people  home  to  his  own 
flock  ". 

Dix  adds:  "  It  is  stated  that  he  joined  with  Andros  in  helping  the  Dutch  furnish 
(repair?)  their  new  place  of  worship  in  the  Fort,  while  it  is  certain  that  he  was 
Indebted  to  them  for  his  own  accommodations,  and  lived  with  them  on  the  best  of 
terms  ".—  Dix's  Hist.  Trinity  Ch.  i.  53,  54. 


Minister's  House  at  Albany. 

i  Albany  Feb.  6,  1678-9. 

Dom.  Gld.  Schaets  appears  in  Court  with  Jan  Vinnagen  Elder  and  the  Two 
Deacons,  Mr.  Jan  Janse  Bleeker  and  Mr.  Hend.  Cuyler  representing  the  W.  Con- 
sistory who  freely  without  any  persuasion  promise  to  convey  and  give  a  proper 
Deed  of  the  house  occupied  at  present  by  Dom.  Gid.  Schaets  to  be  for  the  future  a 
residence  for  the  Minister  of  Albany  for  the  benefit  of  the  Congregation  of  the 
Reformed  Church  here;  as  the  house  was  built  out  of  the  Poor's  money  and  now 
being  decayed,  the  W.  Court  promises  to  repair  said  house  and  keep  it  in  good  order 
fit  for  a  Minister,  for  which  purpose  it  shall  be  conveyed. 

I  Ordinary  Court  held  at  Albany  July  6,  1680. 

The  W.  Consistory  of  this  City  being  sent  for  to  Court,  and  being  requested  by 
their  Worships  to  contribute  something  to  the  repair  and  building  of  Domlne 
Schaets  house,  being  for  the  good  of  the  Commonalty; 

The  W.  Consistory  consent  to  Contribute  the  sum  of  one  thousand  guilders 
Zewant,  for  the  reparation  of  the  said  house. —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  lii.  530. 


I  OF  THE  State  of  JSTew  York.  721 . 

1679 

Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Correspondence  from  America. 

Rev.  Caspar  van  Zuiiren  to  Domine  Cornelius  Dancke*rts. 

May  4tli,  1679. 
Reverend  Brother  and  Colleague :  — 

I  shall  at  present  not  trouble  you  to  read  many  requests.     Our 
previous  letters,  which  we  hope  have  reached  you  safely,  contained 
all  information  concerning  our  present  condition.     This  neither 
improves  nor  deteriorates.     I  am  again  compelled  to  witness  how 
Breukelen  and  Midwout  dispute  over  the  cost  of  my  house.     It  is 
hardly  so  far  finished  that  I  can  yet  live  in  it ;  and  now,  during 
these  disputes,  it  remains  in  an  unfinished  condition.     I  have  very 
little  hope  of  ever  seeing  it  completed  and  myself  in  it.     I  have 
done  everything  possible  to  reconcile  these  parties,  because  I  am 
myself  so  interested,  but  all  in  vain.    My  differences  with  Domine 
Nieuwenhuysen  have  been  amicably  settled,  which  I  request  may  be 
taken  note  of.     He  himself  has  offered  to  come  over  with  two  of 
his  elders  and  settle  this  question  on  the  fairest  and  most  suitable 
terms,  but  the  Breukelen  people  would  not  accept  mediation.     Such 
a  refusal  cannot  be  the  best  proof  of  a  good  cause.     It  seems  that 
it  is  their  intention  to  carry  the  case  before  the  English  courts.    . 
This  cannot  be  very  favorable  to  the  liberty  of  the  Dutch  Church. 
The  other  villages,  especially  Amersfort  and  Utrecht,  have  dis- 
covered the  bad  policy  of  this.     'None  of  them  want  rates  imposed 
upon  them  to  pay  the  salary  of  a  poor  preacher,  and  against  what- 
ever arguments,  proofs  and  protests  they  may  make.    As  with  the 
house,  so  it  is  with  the  salary.     His  Honor,  the  Governor,  upon 
a  request  to  act  as   arbitrator  in  our  differences,   decided  very 
wrongfully  and  outside  of  the  point  at  issue,  as  the  above  men- 
tioned letters  have  stated,  that  I  should  have  three  thousand  three 
hundred  and  seventy  five  guilders  in  wampum ;  that  is  three  hun- 
dred and  seventy  five  less  than  is  due  to  me,  or  seventy  five  guild- 

46 


1679 


722  Ecclesiastical  Eecokds 

ers  Holland  currency,  counting  five  to  one.     His  decision  was 
taken  as  a  legal  order,  which  cannot  be  changed. 

And  although  it  was  very  detrimental  to  me,  and  very  annoying, 
yet  I  was  obliged  to  listen  to  it.  Everybody  here  lays  the  blame 
for  it  on  me.  The  good  people  who  judge  rightly  on  the  matter, 
do  not  dare  to  come  forward  in  my  defence.  I  am,  therefore, 
compelled  to  address  myself  to  you  and  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  with 
the  humble  request,  to  decide  about  our  present  condition,  without 
prejudice,  according  to  the  statements  of  our  former  letters,  and 
to  do  whatever  may  be  considered  proper  to  help  matters.  We 
desire  either  to  receive  here  what  has  been  promised  us,  or  to 
obtain  permission  to  return  to  the  Eatherland,  and  undertake  there 
joyfully,  the  service  of  Christ  in  his  church  among  good  friends. 
God  well  knows,  indeed,  how  badly  we  feel  here.  He  sees  and 
hears  all  our  injuries  and  insults.  He  .also  appreciates  how  earn- 
estly I  long  for  the  Eatherland.  To  that  God  we  pray  from  the 
bottom  of  our  heart,  day  and  night,  to  lead  your  Reverences  to 
look  favorably  upon  us,  and  graciously  to  bless  the  means  for  our 
relief.  May  he  take  you  and  yours  under  his  holy  protection. 
Amen. 
Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  affectionate  servant  and  fried, 

Casparus  van  Zuuren, 
Midwout,  •  Eccl.  on  Loiiix  Island. 

1679. 

To  the  Reverend,  Pious,  Learned  Domine  Cornelius  Danckerts, 

Faithful  Minister  of  the  Gospel  in  the  Congregation  of 

Christ  at  Amsterdam. 

May  4th  in  New  Belgium,  • 

By  William  Sunderland 

and  the  ship  the  "  James  " 

from  that  coury:ry. 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  Y23 

1679 

Richard  Gildersleeve,  Constable,  to  Gov.  Andros  Relative 
TO  A  Quaker  Meeting  at  HEMrsTEAD. 

Right  Honorable: — Whereas  your  Honor  was  pleased  to  lay  some  command  upon 

mee  for  the  prevention  of  Quakers  meettings  within  our  Towne  of  Hempstead  which 

accordingly  I  have  done  to  the  best  of  my  power  by  forewarning  Captain  John 

Seman  being  sick  and  not  able  to  go  myself  I  sent  two  overseers  to  forewarn  him 

that  he  should  not  entertain  any  such  meeting  att  his  house,  yett  nott  witthstanding 

his  answer  was  that  he  tooke  no  nottis  of  the  warning  and  proceeded  to  have  and 

had  a  very  great   meeting  the  lastt  Lordsday   being  the  28   day  of   this  instant, 

hopping  these  few  lines  may  flnde  your  honors  favourable  acceptance  and  render 

mee  excusable  and  thatt  your  Honor  will  be  Pleased  to  take  it  in  to  your  serious 

consideration  for  the  fEuter  pruention  of  tthe  like  nott  troublleing  your  Honor  any 

further  I  rest  your  Honors  Humble  Seruantt, 

Richar  Gildersleeve. 
Hempstead,  May  26,  1679. 

memorandum  I  toulld  him  itt  was  by  your  Honors 

to  mee. 
Endorsed, 

"  To  the  Right  Honorable  Sir  Edmun  Andrews  Governor  and  Generall  of  his 
Hines  Terytorys  att  fiEortt  James  in  New  York  These  ". —  Doc.  Hist.  N.  T.  Hi. 
605. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
Letters  from  Rev.  Van  Ziieren. 

1679,  July  24tli. 

Rev.  Cornelius  Danckerts  handed  in  a  letter  from  Rev.  van 
Zueren,  of  E'ew  ISTetherland.  It  was  resolved  to  refer,  the  same 
to  the  Deputies  ad  res  Maritimas,  to  make  extracts  therefrom  and 
communicate  the  same  to  the  Rev.  Classis.    vii.  210. 

Synod  of  North  Holland,  at  Edam. 

1679,*Aug.  4  et  seq. 
Art.  61.     Ministerial  Changes: 

In  the  Classis  of  Hoorn. 

Died,  Rev.  William  Grasmeer,  at  Ursem. 

Died,  Rev.  Gerardus  Beekman,  at  Grooshuysen  and  Avenhorn. 

In  the  Classis  of  Enkhuvsen. 

Died,  Rev.  Martinus  Lydius,  at  Grootehroek. 
Died,  Rev.   Theodore  Brouwer,   at  Enkhuysen. 


1679 


724  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Entered :  Rev.  Rudolpbiis  a  Varick,  from  the  East  Indies ; 
settles  at  Hem. 

Art.  32.     Labadists. 

Ad  Art.  30.  Concerning  the  Labadists,  the  Rev.  Correspondent 
of  Friesland  reports  that  thev  are  vatched  against  in  their  vicinity ; 
even  as  also  the  Classes  profess  to  be  on  their  guard  against  them 
respectively. 

Coelman. 

On  this  occasion,  it  was  stated  that  Jacob  Coelman  not  only 
had  his  private  gatherings  in  several  places,  but  recently  had  also 
publicly  preached,  morning  and  afternoon,  in  the  vacant  church 
of  Middellye.  The  Rev.  Synod,  regarding  this  as  a  case  of  bad 
precedent,  earnestly  admonishes  the  several  Classes,  that  hence- 
forth, each  one  in  its  special  sphere,  see  to  it  that  such  circum- 
stances do  not  happen  again.  And  since  it  is  learned  from  the 
reports  of  several  brethren,  that  said  Coelman  has  set  his  mind  on 
making  the  services  of  the  ministers  fruitless,  and  on  instilling  into 
the  minds  of  members,  an  uncharitable  judgment  against  them, 
and  does  not  subject  himself  to  the  Church-Order  of  this  land: 
therefore  it  admonishes  all  the  Classes,  but  particularly  those 
where  he  sows  his  evil  seed,  to  be  watchful  against  him  and  his 
conventicles. 

Okder  of  Andros  to  Examine  and  Ordain  Tesschenmacher. 

1679,  Sept.  30. 
(Original  English  Copy.) 

Sir  Edmond  Andros,  Knight,  etc. 

Upon  Application  from  ISTew  Castle  in  Delaw^are,  That  being 
destitute  Mr.  Peter  Teschenmaker  may  be  admitted  to  be  their 
minister ;  By  vertue  of  his  Majesty's  Letters  patent  and  authority 
derived  unto  me,  I  do  hereby  desire  and  authorize  you,  to  Examine 
the  said   Mr.    Teschenmaeker   and   if   you   shall   find   him   fittly 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  725 

qualified,  that  then  you  ordain  him  into  the  ministry  of  the  Pro- 
testant Keformed  Church  to  preach  God's  word  and  administer 
his  Holy  Sacraments  and  give  him  testimonials  thereof,  as  is 
usual.  Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  of  the  Province  in  New 
Yorke  the  thirtieth  day  of  September  in  the  31st  year  of  his 
Majesty's  Raigne  Annoq  Doming  1679.  (31st  year  of  Charles  II, 
reckoning  from  1649,  when  Charles  I,  was  beheaded;  omitting  the 
period  of  Cromwell.) 

Edmond  Andros. 

To  Mr.  Guilielmus  I^ewenhuysen  ^ 

minister  or  pastor  of  this  city  or 
any  three  or  more  of  the  ministers 
or  pastors  within  this  government. 
Prepared  and  examined  by  me, 

Matthias  N^icolls,  Sec. 

From  General  Entries  Vol.  32  p.  61,  in  the  Manuscript  Depart- 
ment of  the  State  Library  at  Albany,  'N.  Y.  Also  in  Bi-Centen- 
nial  of  the  church  of  Schenectady,  64. 

The  above  English  copy  was  translated  into  Dutch;  and  the 
following  is  a  re-translation  from  the  Dutch  into  the  English. 

I,  Edmond  Andross,  Knight,  Patroon  of  Sausmars,  Lieutenant 
and  Governor  General  under  his  Royal  Highness,  James,  Duke 
of  York  and  Albany,  and  of  all  his  Provinces  in  America,  upon 
the  request  of  the  people  of  J^ew  Castle  do  order  that  Mr.  Peter 
Tesschenmaeker  be  permitted  to  be  their  minister.  By  virtue  of 
his  Majesty's  letters  patent,  and  authority  entrusted  to  me,  I  de- 
sire and  authorize  you  to  examine  the  said  Mr.  Tesschenmaeker, 
and  if  you  find  him  capable,  to  ordain  him  to  the  service  of  the 
Protestant  Reformed  Church,  to  preach  God's  Word,  and  to  ad- 
minister the  Lord's  Supper ;  and  to  give  him  the  usual  diploma. 


1679 


1679 


726  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal,  of  the  province  of  Xew  York, 
the  30th  of  September,  in  the  thirty  first  year  of  his  Majesty's 
reign;  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1679. 

E.  Andross. 

The  above  order  was  directed  to  Mr.  William  Van  IN^ieuwenhuy- 
sen,  servant  of  the  Holy  Word  of  God  in  this  city,  or  three  or 
more  other  ministers  under  this  government.  Attested  by  Mat- 
thias Nicholls,  Clerk. 

Copy  of  the  Proceedings  in  our  meeting  at  I^ew  York,  on  the  9th 
of  October  1679,  in  the  case  of  Domine  Petrus  Tesschen- 
maacker. 

To-day  the  9th  of  October  1679,  a  call  for  a  preacher  from  the 
congregation  of  the  South  River  was  handed  in.  This  call  is  di- 
rected to  Domine  Petrus  Tesschenmaacker,  Candidatus  S.  Minis- 
terii. 

But  whereas  such  a  case  is  without  precedent  in  this  govern- 
ment, the  Dutch  ministers  here,  at  the  request  of  his  Excellency, 
Governor  Edmond  Andros,  and  upon  production  of  the  testimo- 
nials of  the  preparatory  examination  of  said  Domine  Petrus 
Tesschenmaacker,  written  by  the  Dutch  and  English  Consistories 
at  the  Hague,  have  been  satisfied,  in  view  of  said  congregation's 
distress,  to  confirm  this  candidate  as  minister  to  that  place,  and 
to  ordain  him. 

And  as  it  is  very  necessary,  that  an  Overseer  be  approved,  there- 
fore the  Rev.  Assembly,  comprising  the  Dutch  ministers  in  this 
government,  together  wdth  other  church  ofiicers,  have  approved  of 
the  testimonials  of  the  preparatory  examination  without  any  par- 
ticular objection;  it  further  resolved,  to  proceed  with  the  ordina- 
tion. 

Domine  Tesschenmaacker  was  then  called  in  and  made  ac- 
quainted with  this  approval  of  the  Rev.  Assembly.  He  was  fur- 
ther asked,  whether  he  was  willing  to  accept  this  call,  and  to  serve 


OF  THE  State  of  Kew  York.  727 

1679 

according  to  the  Churcli  Kules  of  the  Kev.  Synod  of  Dort  and 
other  existing  church  regulations,  conforming  to  these  orders.  Ilis 
answer  was  Yes,  he  'was  willing,  and  hound  himself  to  live  up  to 
them. 

This  done,  Domine  Tesschenmaacker  was  first  heard  in  his  ex- 
planation of  the  text,  Matt.  5 :20,  "  Except  your  righteousness 
shall  exceed  the  righteousness  of  the  scrihes,"  etc.  The  treatment 
of  this  text  fully  satisfied  the  Eev.  Assembly. 

The  Rev.  Assembly  then  proceeded  to  the  examination;  Domine 
Wilhelmus  van  ISTieuwenhuysen,  minister  of  the  Holy  Gospel  in 
the  principal  city  of  the  government  of  New  York  was  appointed 
Examiner. 

The  examination  having  been  finished,  the  Rev.  Assembly  were 
also  satisfied  by  the  answers  of  Rev.  Tesschenmaacker,  so  that 
finally  it  was  followed  up  by  his  ordination,  pursuant  to  our 
Church  Rules  and  Eorms,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

Casparus  van  Zuuren, 

Eccl.  on  Long  Island, 

Secretary  of  the  meeting. 

(See  another  translation  in  the  Bi-Centennial  of  the  Church 
of  Schenectady,  65.) 

Correspondence  from  America.  Rev.  Laurentius  van  Gaasbeeck 
to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam;  (extracts  in  Minutes  of  Synod 
:N'orth  Holland,  1681,  Art.   1.) 

1679,  Oct.   25th. 

Reverend,  Pious,  Very  Learned,  Godly,  Discreet  Gentlemen  and 
Fellow  Laborers  in  Christ  Jesus  : — 

I  doubt  very  much,  whether  the  Rev.  Classis  has  received  my 
letter  of  the  xrth  October  1678.  I  sent  it  enclosed  in  a 
letter  to  a  certain  friend  of  mine  in  Xew  Amsterdam,  and  I  have 
as  yet,  received  no  reply  from  him  nor  from  your  Reverences.  I 
therefore  consider  it  my  duty,  to  inform  you  again  of  the  state 


1679 


728  Ecclesiastical  Records 

of  our  churches  here,  in  order  to  keep  up  a  mutual  correspond- 
ence. 

I  left  Amsterdam  on  the  13th  of  May  1678  and  arrived  at  Xew 
York  safely  mth  my  family  on  the  21st  of  August  of  the  same 
year.  I  did  not  fail  to  thank  the  Lord  most  heartily  for  his  un- 
deserved grace  in  protecting  us  from  the  dangers  of  the  sea  and 
the  pirates,  and  for  carrying  us  safely  to  our  destination.  After 
some  delay  in  (E^ew  York)  I  moved  to  the  Esopus,  having  pre- 
sented my  credentials  to  the  Xoble  Governor  of  this  colony.  I 
reached  Esopus  on  the  8th  of  September.  I  preached  my  first 
sermon  there,  and  entered  upon  my  duties  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
on  the  loth  of  September. 

As  to  my  place,  it  is  usually  called  "  The  Esopus  ''.  It  is  situated 
twenty  (Dutch)  miles  from  Isew  York,  which  is  on  the  Man- 
hattans, and  on  the  l!s^orth  River.  It  contains  much  fine,  fertile 
land,  and  produces  such  abundant  crops  that  the  Esopus  is  the 
granary  of  ^ew  ^etherland  and  of  all  the  surrounding  country. 

The  Esopus  itself  consists  of  three  villages,  Kingston,  Horley, 

and  Marbleton,  distant  from  each  other  about  half  an  hour's  walk, 

besides   some  neighboring  hamlets.      Kingston  is   the   principal 

'place,  where  I  have  my  house.     It  is  distant  not  more  than  half 

an  hour  from  the  Great  River. 

Upon  my  arrival  here,  I  found  all  the  inhabitants  well  inclined 
towards  me  and  this  feeling  has,  God  be  praised,  increased  ever 
since.  I  found  here  a  certain  Domine  Petrus  Teschenmaker,  a 
Bachelor  in  Divinitv,  who  had  arrived  here  from  Guvana  in  the 
spring.  He  had  been  engaged  by  the  Consistory  here  as  candidate 
or  vicar  (substitute)  until  I  should  arrive  from  Holland.  After 
my  arrival  they  dispensed  vrith  his  services.  The  accompanying 
letter  will  inform  the  Rev.  Classis  what  has  occurred  about  this 
Domine  Petrus  Teschenmaker.  I  found  here  at  Kingston  about 
eighty  members;  at  Horley  thirty;  and  at  Marbleton  twenty.  It 
has  pleased  Almighty  God  to  bless  my  poor  services  so  well,  that 
I  have  now  more  than  one  hundred  and  eiffhtv  members  in  the 


OF  THE  State  of  Xew  York.  729 

167© 

three  villages.  I  divide  my  preaching  services  as  follows :  I 
preach. two  Sundays  at  Kingston,  the  third  at  Hurley,  the  fourth 
and  fifth  again  at  Kingston,  the  sixth  at  Marbleton,  and  so  on. 

At  first  I  had  much  trouble  to  get  everything  in  good  order, 
and  in  conformity  to  the  government  of  the  ISTetherland  churches. 
There  was  but  little  order  in  ecclesiastical  matters  and  govern- 
ment, because  it  was  ten  years,  since  Domine  Hermanns  Blom, 
at  present  preacher  at  Woubrugghe,  had  left,  and  no  preacher  had 
been  here  since.  But  I  have  improved  the  condition  of  affairs,  as 
well  as  I  could,  and  what  remains  to  be  done,  I  hope  to  accomplish 
in  the  future.  At  present  I  hold  catechetical  classes  not  only  on 
Sundays,  after  the  discourse  on  our  Christian  Catechism,  but  also 
twdce  in  the  week,  on  Tuesday  and  Friday  evenings,  in  my  own 
house.  I  consider  this  to  be  very  necessary  on  account  of  the  very 
small  amount  of  knowledge  which  I  discovered  in  many;  and  God 
Almighty  has  been  pleased  to  bless  this  work,  so  that  my  congi-e- 
gation  has  made  progress  in  virtuous  living,  knowledge  and  godli- 
ness. The  Kingston  congregation  has  already  shown  their  zeal  by 
building  a  handsome  new  church,  sixty  feet  long  and  forty  five 
feet  wide.     In  this  I  hope  to  preach  in  two  weeks. 

This  is  all  that  I  think  necessary  at  present  to  communicate 
to  your  Reverences.  I  doubt  not  but  that  the  Rev.  Classis  mil 
remember  us  and  our  congi-egations  in  their  prayers  to  the  Al- 
mighty, and  beseech  him  increasingly  to  bless  our  services  and  en- 
large our  oongi'egations  not  only  in  numbers,  but  also  in  faith 
and  every  Christian  virtue. 

Praying  the  Lord  to  bless  the  meetings  and  counsels  of  your 
Classis,  as  well  as  the  services,  the  persons  and  the  families  of 
your  Reverences,  I  remain  with  cordial  salutations,  gentlemen, 

Your  Willing  Brother  and  Fellow 
Laborer  in  Christ, 

Lawrentius  van  Gaasbeeck, 
Eccl.  Esopienfiis. 


730  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

1679 

Correspondence    from   America.      The   Four    Dutch    Ministers, 

Schaats,   Van  Nieuwenhuysen,    Van  Zuuren   and  Van   Gaas- 

beeck  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  ISTov.  1679.     Explaining 

their  action  in  Ordaining  Tesschenmacker.     (This  is  the  first 

Ordination  in  'New  York.) 

Reverend,  Pious,  Very  Learned,  Yery  Prudent  Gentlemen,  Fath- 
ers and  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Sirs:  — • 

In  our  common  Christian  faith,  the  saints  profess  to  have 
fellowship  with  their  Savior,  and  through  him  to  possess  a  com- 
mon heritage  of  blessings.  Therefore  believers  must  help  one 
another  in  every  possible  way.  They  should  console,  admonish, 
edify  and  strengthen  one  another,  as  they  become  aware  of  the 
favorable  or  unfavorable  circumstances  of  a  neighbor  or  brother. 
They  should  weep  mth  those  who  weep,  and  rejoice  with  those 
who  rejoice;  for  nothing  can  occur  to  any  believers  without  the 
sympathetic  knowledge  of  others  in  Christ;  for  He  is  the  Head 
and  to  Him  all  the  members  of  the  body  belong.  For  this  reason, 
we,  who  are  obliged  to  labor  in  this  transatlantic  country,  seek- 
ing to  cultivate  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  so  far  away  from  the 
great  body  of  the  Church,  feel  compelled  to  strive  to  keep  up  our 
fellowship  with  the  churches  in  the  Fatherland,  and  especially 
with  those  of  our  o^vn  Classis. 

Therefore,  according  to  your  order  and  request,  that  we  should 
write  you  about  all  our  circumstances,  that  the  welfare  of  the 
members  of  Christ  may  be  better  cared  for,  and  his  whole  body 
edified,  his  honor  promoted  and  his  Kingdom  extended;  and  that 
in  accordance  with  the  Apostle's  injunction,  "  Let  all  things  be 
done  decently  and  in  order  '',  as  well  as  amicably,  so  as  to  prevent 
confusion  and  misunderstanding,  (we  report :) 

That  some  time  ago,  namely  in  the  spring  of  1678,  there  ar- 
rived here  one  Peter  Tesschenmacker,  a  bachelor  of  divinity.  He 
had  passed  his  preparatory  examination  at  Phenen,  in  the  parish 


OF  THE   State  of  ^N'ew  Yoek.  731 

1679 

of  Utreclit.  He  subsequently  accompanied  tlie  fleet  destined  for 
Guyana,  under  Director  ^N".  Price,  and  had  previously  been  a 
preacher  of  the  English  church  at  the  Hague.  And  although  the 
certificate  of  his  examination  was  not  exhibited  to  us,  because  it 
had  been  wrested  from  him  by  the  enemy,  together  with  other 
property  and  papers,  at  the  conquest  of  Guyana;  nevertheless, 
upon  the  testimony  of  certain  people  here,  who  knew  him,  and  had 
also  heard  of  liis  gifts  in  preaching,  he  was  admitted  by  us  to 
officiate.  This  he  has  now  frequently  done,  and  in  several  different 
churches  here,  to  general  satisfaction  and  edification.  Besides 
preaching  in  other  places,  he  performed  this  duty  for  four  months 
in  the  congregation  of  Esopus,  which  is  now  served  by  the  Rev. 
Domine  Laurentius  van  Gaasbeeck.  In  the  autumn  of  1678,  he 
was  requested  by  the  congregation  of  South  River  to  take  his 
turn  in  preaching  there,  and  admonish  the  people  to  piety  and 
godliness.  He  performed  this  duty  so  well  that  that  church,  to 
the  general  gratification  of  everybody  there,  called  him  to  be  their 
teacher,  and  the  minister  of  the  Holy  Word  and  Sacraments. 

In  order  to  obtain  the  ratification  of  their  call  to  him,  and  his 
ordination  for  such  a  service  in  the  most  convenient  and  speediest 
manner,  the  commissioners  of  said  congregation  first  addressed 
themselves  to  us,  notifying  us  of  their  call,  and,  with  urgent  rea- 
sons, earnestly  requesting  us,  to  meet  in  Xew  York,  with  our 
elders,  and  deliberate  on  this  business,  in  order  to  give  proper 
assistance  to  their  church.  This  was,  indeed,  an  affair  needing 
great  deliberation,  as  it  would  be  fraught  with  weighty  conse- 
quences. Yet  some  of  our  church-members  made  not  a  few  diffi- 
culties about  it.  But  the  ISToble,  Very  Worshipful,  Honorable 
Governor  of  this  country,  (Andros,)  who  was  advised  of  the  re- 
quest of  that  congregation,  also  earnestly  desired  to  see  their  pros- 
perity. Accordingly  he  served  notice  upon  us,  authorizing  and 
requiring  us,  the  preachers  here,  to  meet  together  in  the  form  of 
a  Classis,  and  having -examined  the  said  Domine  Tesschenmacker, 
to  advance  him,  if  he  were  found  qualified,  to  the  ministiy.    This 


1679 


Y32  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

demand  made  upon  us  by  his  Honor,  will  be  best  understood  from 
a  copy,  showing  the  authorization  or  order  itself.  This  is  a  trans- 
lation from  the  English  original,  which  is  on  file  here,  and  which 
was  signed  by  the  Governor  himself.  Thus  legally  impelled 
thereto,  the  advancement  of  Domine  Tesschenmacker  was  re- 
solved on  by  us,  and  carried  out  on  the  9th  of  October,  1679.  In 
performing  this  act,  we  regulated  ourselves  by  the  laudable  cus- 
toms and  orders  of  the  churches  in  our  Fatherland.  Eor  the 
proper  performance  of  his  duties,  we  engaged  him  by  promises 
and  his  o^^ti  subscription,  just  as  we  were  engaged  to  the  same 
duties  by  your  Reverences.  Previous  to  our  action  there  had 
also  arrived  excellent  testimonials  concerning  the  character  and 
preaching  abilities  of  Domine  Tesschenmacker,  from  the  Rev.  Con- 
sistories of  the  Dutch  and  English  congregations  at  the  Hague. 
The  candidate  himself  also,  in  his  sermon  gave  full  satisfaction  to 
.  all  the  members  of  our  Assembly;  and  in  his  replies  to  our  ques- 
tions gave  also  very  appropriate  and  excellent  answers. 

If  in  this  business  anything  has  been  done  by  us,  which  is  not 
within  our  official  functions,  or  Christian  (Church) -Order,  we 
humbly  and  fraternally  request  that  you  will  look  at  our  proced- 
ure with  that  benevolent  disposition,  which  hopeth  all  things, 
believeth  all  things,  endureth  all  things.  Your  Reverences  are 
well  aware  that  human  hearts  are  like  the  soil  of  earth.  If  it  be 
uncared  for,  and  left  uncultivated,  it  generally  produces  nothing 
else  than  briars  and  thorns.  If  a  grape  vine  is  to  bear  good  fruit, 
no  labor  must  be  spared  upon  it.  And  in  the  particular  case  of 
this  people,  it  is  especially  necessary,  as  it  is  a  wild  country,  and 
the  way  of  speaking  is  apt  to  be  also  wild.  The  manner  of  life  is 
also  correspondingly  corrupt.  The  opportunities  are  manifold. 
Of  these  things,  the  commissioners  from  that  congregation,  (ISTew 
Amstel,  or  ISTew  Castle,  Delaware,)  have  frequently  and  sadly 
told  us.  The  same  things  we  also  oc<?asionally  find  among  our 
own  people. 

One  must  consider  also  the  inconveniences  of  the  winter  season 


OF  THE  State  of  ISTew  York.  Y33 

here;  the  dangers  of  the  voyage,  if  the  candidate  should  seek  to 
obtain  his  advancement  from  your  Reverences;  the  embarrass- 
ments of  the  congregation  by  the  long  delay.  For  that  congrega- 
tion now  numbers  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  or  more.  Then 
also  the  impossibility  of  our  administering  the  Holy  Sacraments 
there  during  the  interval ;  for  it  is  about  forty  (Dutch)  miles  (one 
hundred  and  twenty  English  miles)  distant  from  here,  (!N"ew 
York;)  and  our  presence  here  is  always  very  necessary  also.  And 
above  all  consider  the  zeal  as  well  as  the  order  of  our  Worshipful, 
Honorable  Governor,  whom  it  would  not  be  safe  to  disobey,  ^ow 
all  these  circumstances  and  reasons  have  induced  us  to  undertake 
this  business,  shaping  our  action  to  the  situation  in  which  we,  at 
present,  find  ourselves.  "We  hoped  thereby  also  to  ward  off  further 
evils  and  misfortunes  from  ourselves.  We  trust,  therefore,  that 
your  Reverences  will  please  to  pardon  us,  and  inform  us  thereof 
by  letter  as  soon  as  opportunity  offers. 

Relying  thereon,  we  close  with  the  prayer  that  God,  the  Al- 
mighty, may  be  pleased  to  bless  your  counsels  both  in  the  Classis 
and  the  churches,  as  well  as  your  services,  yourselves,  and  your 
families. 

Gideon  Schaats,  Pastor  at  'New  Albany,  President. 
Wilhelmus  van  Nieuwenhuysen,  Pastor  at  New  York,  Examiner. 
Casparus  Yan  Zuuren,  Ecc.  on  Long  Island,  Scribe. 
Laurentius  Yan  Gaasbeeck,  Ecc.  Esopiensis. 

(No  date;  but  Nov.  1679.) 

Correspondence  from  America.  (A  Minute,  made  by  some  party 
unknown,  connected  with  the  call  and  ordination  of  Domine 
Peter  Tesschenmacker,  as  minister  of  the  Church  of  New  Cas- 
tle, on  the  South  River,  Delaware.) 

1679. 

The  ministers  of  the  Refonned  Dutch  Churches  were  invited 
to  meet  together  and  deliberate,  viz.,  Domine  Schaats  of  New 
Albany,  Domine  Yan  Nieuwenhuysen  of  ]^ew  York,  Domine  Yan 
Zuuren  of  Long  Island,  and  Domine  Yan  Gaasbeek  of  Esopus. 


1679 


1679 


To-i  Ecclesiastical  Eecords 

They  assembled  at  the  house  of  Domine  Van  Xieiiwenhuvsen  in 
Xew  York.  Domine  Van  Gaasbeek,  not  having  yet  arrived,  it  was 
thought  best,  after  full  debate,  to  proceed  with  the  (examination),, 
at  the  request  of  Messrs.  Moll  and  Ephraim  Hermans,  delegates 
from  the  congregation  of  Xew  Castle;  and  especially  at  the  re- 
quest of  his  Excellency,  the  Governor,  who  had  furnished  the 
above  delegates  with  a  letter. 

Hereupon  the  time  and  manner  of  the  examination  and  ordina- 
tion were  fixed.  It  was  resolved  to  proceed  after  nine  days,  viz.  on 
the  9th  of  October.  Domine  Schaats  w^as  appointed  President  of 
the  Classis;  Domine  Van  Nieuwenhuysen,  examiner;  Domine  Van 
Zuuren,  secretary,  and  Domine  Van  Gaasbeek,  adsessor.  It  was 
also  resolved  that  Matt.  5  :20  should  be  assigned  as  the  subject 
upon  which  the  candidate  should  preach;  and  that  the  ordination 
should  be  attended  by  the  consistories  of  the  above  churches. 

On  the  day  appointed,  Thursday,  all  the  members  were  pres- 
ent. The  above  named  delegates  were  asked  whether  Mr.  Tess- 
chenmacker  had  been  freely  and  voluntarily  chosen  as  their  min- 
ister, and  wdiether  thev  desired  he  should  be  ordained  as  such,  bv 
this  Assemblv,  constituted  in  the  form  of  a  Classis.  The  answer 
was.  Yes.  On  the  other  hand  Domine  Tesschenmacker  was  asked 
whether  he  was  satisfied  with  the  conditions  requested  of  him  in 
relation  to  the  service,  and  purposed  to  fulfill  them  faithfully.  He 
declared  his  approbation,  answering,  Yes. 

They  then  proceeded  to  the  examination  of  Domine  Tesschen- 
macker. He  defended  against  objections,  and  explained  satis- 
factorily to  all.  Matt.  5  :20.  In  his  examination  he  manifested 
such  proficiency  in  ajid  acquaintance  with  theolog}^,  as  to  com- 
mand the  approbation  of  all  the  members.  He  was  then  ordained 
by  Domine  Van  Xieuwenhuysen  by  the  lajdng  on  of  hands. 

After  some  days  the  necessary  instructions  and  orders,  signed 
by  all  the  members,  w^ere  handed  to  the  person  ordained.  These 
agreed  with  the  instructions  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  the 
Fades  of  Church  Government  of  the  Synod  of  Dort.    It  was  also 


OF  THE  Statp:  of  Xew  Yokk.  735 

stipulated  that  as  the  ministers  here,  who  ordained  Domine  Tess- 
chenmacker,  recognized  their  dependence  upon  the  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam, and  felt  themselves  bound  faithfully  to  correspond  with 
that  Classis  in  all  special  circumstances ;  so  also  Domine  Tesschen- 
macker  should  acknowledge  the  same  subordination,  and  carry 
on  correspondence. 

The  above  proceedings  were  transmitted  by  letter  to  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  with  the  order  and  authority  of  the  Governor  in 
November  follomng  (1679.)  In  October  of  the  year  follo\\dng, 
(1680),  a  letter  was  received  in  answer. 

Letters  from  Eev.  Van  Zueren. 

1679,  Dec.  4th. 

Rev.  Depp,  ad  res  Maritimas  read  the  extracts  from  the  com- 
plaining letter,  (doleantie)  of  Rev.  van  Zueren  of  Xew  Xether- 
land.  It  was  thereupon  resolved  to  write,  per  Rev.  Depp,  afore- 
said, both  to  Rev.  Van  Zueren,  in  order  to  humble  him  somew^hat 
in  this  matter;  and  also  to  the  church  there,  in  order  to  admonish 
them  to  do  their  duty,  and  to  give  Rev.  Van  Zueren  satisfaction 
so  far  as  it  is  practicable,  and  thus  to  hold  him  powerless,  (take 
away  ground  of  complaint?)     vii.  221;  xix.  195. 

Petition  of  the  Coaimissioners  of  Schenectady  to  Certain 
Merchants  in  Amsterdam  to  Procure  for  Them  a  Min- 
ister. 

1679,  Dec.  31. 

Schenecheectade,  December,  31st,  1679. 
Monsieur  Jan  Hendrickse  van  Bael  (or  Boel)  and  Abel  de  Wolf : 
We  greet  you  in  friendship  ^ith  the  himible  request  that  you 
will  please  to  take  the  trouble  in  our  behalf,  before  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  procure  a  preacher  for  us  and  if  pos- 
sible, let  him  be  a  bachelor,  wdio  understands  notes  and  psalms. 
We  engage  ourselves  to  the  amount  of  (the  equivalent  of)  one 


1679 


1679 


Y36  Ecclesiastical  Records 

hundred  beavers,  in  wheat,  as  yearly  salary;  but  if  you  can  beat  it 
down  somewhat,  we  will  be  well  pleased;  and  it  must  be  an  in- 
ducement, that  we  wish  to  have  him  here  before  the  winter.  We 
shall  also  pay  for  his  passage  and  other  expenses,  and  provide  him 
with  free  lodgings. 

We  should  have  ^^i-itten  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  but  we  did  not 
know  any  of  the  members.  The  Honorable  Mr.  van  Boel,  how- 
ever, is  well  acquainted  mth  our  conditions.  We  refer  the  matter 
to  your  kind  care,  for  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  all 
wisdom,  we  think.  We  have  no  doubt,  but  that  you  will  consider 
it  a  duty  to  do  such  a  praiseworthy  act,  and  we  shall  be  very  grate- 
ful.   Praying  the  Almighty  to  protect  you,  we  remain  Messieurs, 

Your  Willing  and  Affectionate  Friends, 
The  Commissaries  of  Schenectady 
Jan  van  Eps     Daniel  Jansen     Harmen  Yedder     Sander  Sander- 
sen  Glen. 

By  their  order, 
To  Messrs.  Ludowicus  Cobes,  Secretary. 

Jan  Hendrickse  van  Boel 
and  Abel  de  Wolff, 
merchants  at  Amsterdaim 
Extract  made. 

CouisrciL  Minutes Ministers  House  at  Flatbush. 


To  the  Right  Honorable  Sir  Edmond  Andros,  Governor  Generall  tinder  his  Royall 
Highness,  the  Duke  of  York,  of  all  his  Territories  in  America,  the  24th  of 
January  1679-80. 

Humbly  show  the  undersigned  Constable  and  Overseer  of  the  village  of  Midwout, 
that  they  are  greatly  injured  by  the  erection  of  the  ministers  house,  so  that  much 
of  the  money  earned  by  them  is  not  paid  by  the  contractor  and  whereas  the  in- 
habitants of  Breuckelen  are  bound  to  perform  one  fourth  of  the  labor,  but  defer  it 
from  time  to  time,  although  we  have  done  everything,  to  live  with  them  in  friend- 
ship, therefore  we  humbly  request  your  Honor,  to  give  directions  to  some  Justice 
of  the  peace,  who  shall  settle  the  matter  amicably  without  legal  proceedings. 
Which  doing  we  are  and  remain. 

Your  Honors  servants, 

Theodorus  Polhemius 

Cornells  Jansen 

Dirck  Jansen  van  der  Vliet. 


OF  THE  State  of  JSTew  York.  737 

At  a  Council  held  the  24th  day  of  January,  1679-80. 

Upon  a  petition  from  the  Constable  and  Overseers  of  Flatbush,  Complaining,  that 
the  inhabitants  of  Breuckelen  having  undertaljen  to  bee  ayding  and  assisting  In 
bxiilding  the  4th  part  of  the  Domines  House  at  Flatbush,  but  neglect  or  refuse  to 
perform  the  same. 

Ordered,  that  a  Copye  of  the  petition  bee  sent  to  the  Constable  and  Overseers  of 
Breuckelen,  who  are  to  take  care  to  performe  their  agreement,  or  to  return  their 
Reasons  to  the  Governour  for  their  falling  therein. 

By  Order  etc.— Col.  Docs.  N.  Y.  xiv.  743,  745. 

Acts  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Final  Examination  of  Rev.  Peter  Tesschenmaker  in  ISTew  Nether- 
land. 

1680,  Jan.  29tli. 

A  letter  from  ISTew  I^etherland  was  read  by  the  Deputies  ad  res 
Maritimas,  in  which  it  is  made  known  that  the  ministers  there,  by 
order  of  Governor  (Andros),  after  the  manner  of  a  Classical  As- 
sembly, had  subjected  to  final  examination,  and  ordained  to  the 
ministry,  the  candidate.  Rev.  Peter  Tesschenmaker,  who  had  been 
called  as  minister  to  the  South  River.  It  was  resolved  that  the 
Rev.  Deputati  aforesaid  shall  write  to  them,  that  this  Assembly  is 
pleased  to  be  satisfied  with  their  labors  in  this  particular  instance, 
and  give  them  thanks  for  their  account  thereof.  They  recom- 
mend to  them,  however,  the  praiseworthy  correspondence  with 
this  Rev.  Classis,  and  the  maintenance  of  that  good  order  custom- 
ary in  the  churches  of  the  Fatherland,    vii.  223  ;  xix.  196. 

DoMiNE  Schaets  and  the  Lutherans. 

Extraordinary  Court  held  at  Albany  March  11,  1679/80. 

The  Court  met  at  the  request  of  Domine  Gideon  Schaets,  accompanied  by  the  W. 
Consistory,  who  complains  that  Myndert  Frederickse  Smitt  came  to  his  house  and 
told  him  the  Domine  never  to  presume  to  speak  to  any  of  his  Children  on  religious 
matters;  and  that  he  the  Domine  went  sneaking  through  all  the  houses  like  the 
Devil;  adding.  Our  Domine  (meaning  Domine  Bernardus,  Minister  of  the  Lutheran 
Congregation)  does  not  do  so. 

Domine  Schaets  further  complains  that  Myndert  Frederickse's  wife  grievously 
abused  and  calumniated  him  behind  his  back  at  Gabriel  Thomson's  house,  as  an  old 
Rogue,  Sneak,  etc.,  and  that  if  she  had  him  by  the  pate,  she  should  drag  his  grey 
hairs  out  of  it;  which  the  Domine  offers  to  prove  by  witnesses. 

Whereupon  Myndert  Frederickse  and  wife  are  sent  for  to  Court  and  Domine 
Schaets  accusation  is  read  to  Myndert  who  denies  it  all  declaring  that  he  had  not 
given  the  Domine  an  ill  word. 

47 


1680 


1680 


Y38  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Pletertje,  wife  of  Myndert  Frederickse  denies  having  abused  Domine  Schaets  as 
a  rogue  and  sneak;  but  that  the  Domine  hath  abused  her  Religion  as  a  Devilish 
Religion. 

Hend  Rooseboom  sworn,  says  that  he  was  at  Gabriel  Thomson's  last  Monday 
when  Pietertje,  Myndert  Frederickse's  wife  entered,  and  wishing  to  go  away  was 
called  back  by  Gabriel  and  conversing  on  the  subject  of  Domine  Schaets  and  her 
daughter,  she  said  —  What  business  hath  Domine  Schaets  to  question  mine 
daughter?  To  this  Gabriel  said  —  Why  should  he  not  do  so?  The  Domine  does 
well  to  question  people.  Whereupon  Pietertie  said,  Domine  Schaets,  the  old  Rogue 
and  Sneak;  had  she  been  by  she  should  have  caught  him  by  the  grey  pate  —  adding 

he  ought  to  look  to  his  daughter  the  W e  and  take  care  of  her  —  To   which 

Gabriel  replied,  Meutie,  why  say  that  and  scold  the  Domine  so?  who  answered 
him  —  You  damned  dog!  you  protect  whores  and  knaves. 

Cornells  Teunise  Swart  being  sworn,  says  he  was  also  at  Gabriel  Thomson's  last 
Tuesday  when  Pietertie  Myndert  Frederickse's  wife  came  in  and  enquired  for  her 
daughter,  who  not  being  there,  she  was  going  away  but  Gabriel  called  her  back 
and  said  —  sit  awhile  Meutie;  and  being  in  conversation  about  Domine  Schaets 
wishing  to  question  her  daughter,  she  said  she  had,  herself,  a  teacher  to  do  so,  that 
if  she  had  the  old  rogue,  she  woudd  take  him  by  the  grey  pate,  and  further 
knoweth  not. 

Mr.  Sheriff  Pretty  requests  their  Worships  that  he  may  act  herein,  to  institute 
his  action  at  a  more  convenient  period. 

The  W.  Court  postponed  the  matter  to  the  next  Court  day  to  act  then  on  the- 
merits.  Meanwhile  if  parties  can  be  reconciled,  (through  Respect  for  the  Divine) 
they  were  particularly  recommended  to  do  so,  saving  the  Sheriffs  action  and  costs. 

Albany,  March  12,  1679/80. 

Myndert  Fredericksen  and  his  wife  appear  before  their  Worships  of  the  Court, 
requesting  that  they  may  be  reconciled  in  love  and  friendship  with  Domine  Schaets 
as  they  have  been  with  Gabriel.  Whereupon  their  W.  recommended  him  to  call 
Domine  Schaets  which  being  immediately  done; 

Domine  Schaets  appearing  before  their  Worships  is  asked  —  if  he  were  willing  to 
be  reconciled  with  the  aforesaid  persons?  who  answers,  Yes,  on  the  condition  that 
they  both  acknowledge  him  an  honorable  man,  and  that  they  know  nought  of  him 
except  what  is  honest  and  virtuous  (always  excepting  the  Dispute  out  of  which  this 
Case  arose,  namely  —  Universal  Grace  —  being  no  political  question),*  also  the 
Sheriff's  claim. 

Whereupon  Myndert  aforesaid  and  his  wife  acknowledge  the  Domine  in  open 
Court  to  be  an  honest  man,  and  that  they  know  nought  of  him  except  all  honor  and 
virtue  and  are  willing  to  bear  all  the  costs  hereof,  also  to  settle  with  the  Sheriff. 

N.  B.    It  Is  settled  by  And.  Teller  and        for  six  Beavers  and  six  cans  of  wine. 

*  This  Is  explained  by  the  following  testimony  in  another  case  —  "  Hans  Dreper 
further  says  that  Gabriel's  wife  stated  that  Domine  Schaets  said  at  her  house  that 
whoever  taught  that  Christ  died  alike  for  all  men,  taught  a  false  and  devilish 
Doctrine  ". 


OF  THE  State  of  New  Yokk.  T39 

Ci^ssis  OF  Amsterdam. 

1680,  April  2nd. 

Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Dutch  Ministers  in  America. 

xxvii.  137. 

Most  Worthy  and  Eeverend  Brethren  and  Co-laborers : — 

Having  further  considered  the  occurrence  of  the  appointment 
of  the  Rev.  Teschenmaker  as  pastor  on  the  South  River,  we  can- 
not jndge  otherwise  than  that  your  Reverences  have  acted  legally, 
wisely  and  well  in  that  matter,  even  as  the  present  need  and  ser- 
vice of  the  church  demanded.  We  cordially  and  fully  assent  to 
all  that  was  done,  and  gratefully  acknowledge  that  the  same  has 
been  communicated  to  us  so  circumstantially,  clearly  and  with  so 
well  cut  a  quill.  We  heartily  desire  that  the  commendable  coi^ 
respondence  may  continue,  and  that  all  the  excellent  orders,  cus- 
tomary in  our  Fatherland  churches,  may  be  fully  observed,  unto 
greater  unity  and  the  best  interests  of  God's  Church. 

Herewith,  Reverend  Brethren,  we  desire  the  blessing  of  the 
Most  High  upon  your  services,  yourselves  and  your  families.  May 
he  spare  you,  with  health  of  soul  and  body,  to  the  increase  of  his 
dearly  bought  church,  and  to  the  glory  of  his  great  Name ;  while 
we  remain. 

Your  Reverences  Obedient  and  Affectionate  Brethren  and  Fel- 
low Laborers,  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.    In  the  name  of  all : 

Peter  Schaack, 

Dep.  ad  res  Maritimas,  p.t.  Praeses. 
Zegerus  van  Zan, 

Collegii  Dep.  ad  res  Maritimas,  p.t.,  Scriba. 
A  Wolphus  Ducher, 

Dep.  ad  res  Maritimas. 
Amsterdam  April 
2,  1680. 


1680 


1680 


740  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

1680,  April  2nd. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Churches  of  Long  Island,   xxvii.  138. 

Most  Worthy  and  Dearly  Beloved  Brethren,  Elders  and  Support- 
ers of  the  Eef  ormed  Netherland  Churches  on  Long  Island : — 

Grace  and  peace  from  God  the  Father  and  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

With  an  opportunity  of  writing,  we  are  unwilling  to  omit  send- 
ing you  our  friendly  greetings,  and  to  exhort  you  fraternally  re- 
garding a  matter  touching  yourselves  as  well  as  the  Rev.  Casparus 
Van  Zuuren  your  pastor. 

Most  Worthy  Brethren,  we  learn  from  other  parties  that  his 
stipulated  salary  is  not  promptly  paid  to  him,  and  that  he  re- 
ceives three  hundred  gTulders  less,  in  Dutch  currency,  annually, 
than  was  promised  him,  besides  the  perquisite  of  free  fuel;  also 
that  the  building  of  a  parsonage  for  him  has  hitherto  been  hin- 
dered by  strifes,  by  which  a  neutral  third  party,  although  inno- 
cent, always  suffers.  Such  occurrences  a  pastor  has  especially  to 
fear,  for  they  are  of  a  kind  from  which  he  can  expect  nothing  but 
loss  and  trouble.  Yea,  he  may  be  subjected  even  to  scandal,  the 
heaviest  of  all  burdens;  because  some  have  not  the  discretion  to 
understand  that  a  pastor,  being  subject  to  bodily  wants,  as  well 
as  others,  must  also  support  and  defend  his  family.  In  the  mean- 
time, such  care  and  domestic  anxiety  lead  to  the  injury  of  his 
ministerial  services,  grieves  his  spirit,  quenches  his  gifts,  or  at 
least  darkens  and  beclouds  them;  and  as  the  aspostle  saith,  it  re- 
dounds to  the  detriment  of  the  church,  if  he  must  perform  his 
duties  with  sighs. 

If  also  we  examine  God's  commands  in  relation  to  such  things, 
we  find  that  he  exhorts  the  church  to  due  regard  for  him  who 
cares  for  their  souls,  which  are  most  precious.  What  an  excel- 
lent support  he  provided  in  the  Old  Testament,  not  only  for  the 
priests,  but  also  for  the  common  Levites,  as  well  as  for  those  who 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  741 

only  closed  a  door  or  lighted  a  candle  in  the  temple  at  Jerusalem. 
In  the  New  Testament,  also,  the  Apostle  teaches  that  it  is  as  un- 
lawful to  withhold  his  compensation  from  a  pastor,  who  serves,  as 
it  was,  ujider  the  Old  Testament,  to  muzzle  an  ox  which  was 
threshing  out  the  corn;  that  there  is  nothing  more  equitable  than 
that  they  should  reap,  of  our  carnal  things,  who  sow  to  us  in 
spiritual  things. 

For  these  and  other  reasons,  it  is  our  desire,  that  our  brother, 
Rev.  Van  Zuuren,  should  be  comforted  by  your  acknowledgement 
and  observance  of  the  obligations  made  respecting  the  support  of 
his  household,  that  his  mind  may  be  relieved.  He  left  his  Father- 
land for  service  among  you.  All  those  who  leave  their  Father- 
land, for  service  in  the  churches  in  the  Indies,  without  exception, 
draw  larger  salaries  than  they  do  who  serve  in  the  churches  at 
home ;  but  your  pastor,  even  if  he  received  his  full  promised  com- 
pensation, would  draw  no  more,  considering  the  last  increase  of 
salaries  of  pastors  here.  But  Rev.  Van  Zuuren  left  the  Father- 
land for  a  less  salary,  even  on  so  small  a  one  that  it  is  insufficient 
for  his  support.  You  are  too  reasonable  yourselves  not  to  see 
the  unreasonableness  of  this  situation.  We  hope  also  that  such 
good  order  may  be  established  among  you,  that  our  brother  Van 
Zuuren  shall  have  no  cause  of  complaint.  May  he  fulfill  his  duties 
among  you  with  satisfaction  and  joy;  that  the  church  may  be 
edified,  and  mutual  satisfaction  may  prevail  in  your  congrega- 
tions. 

Relying  on  the  accomplishment  of  this,  we  msh  to  you  all, 
as  well  as  to  all  connected  with  your  church,  the  rich  blessing  of 
the  Lord.  We  wish  this  upon  your  own  selves,  your  families  and 
homes;  that  fruits  of  righteousness  and  peace  may  abound,  and 
the  kingdom  of  God  be  extended  to  the  glory  of  his  great  Name. 

Your  obedient  and  affectionate  brethren  and  servants,  of  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam.    In  the  name  of  all. 

Amsterdam,  

April  2,  1680. 


1680 


1680 


742  Ecclesiastical  Records 


Acts  of  the  Deputies  and  their  Correspondence. 

1680,  April  21st. 

The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Rev.   Casparus  Van  Zuuren. 

xxvii.  139. 
Most  Worthy  Brother : — 

It  is  ^ath  dissatisfaction,  and  sorrow  in  your  behalf,  that  we 
learned  from  your  letter  of  October  30th  1678,  that  your  salary 
is  not  in  accordance  mth  your  expectations,  nor  the  dignity  of 
your  office.  In  evidence  that  the  Classis  takes  your  discomfort 
and  injustice  to  heart,  she  has  written  to  your  churches  with  the 
hope  that  the  business  may  be  quickly  arranged  to  your  benefit. 

Xevertheless,  worthy  brother,  the  Classis  also  hopes  you  will 
maintain  a  patient  disposition  under  your  injustice.  Many  diffi- 
culties are  overcome,  by  this  grace,  in  the  charges  in  the  Fathsr- 
land.  We  are  not  insensible  to  your  loss,  and  understand  well 
that  it  is  hard  for  the  provider  of  his  family  to  see  himself  de- 
frauded; but  here  also,  in  the  Fatherland,  everything  is  not  per- 
fect. In  several  of  our  provinces  there  are  churches  whose  pas- 
tors do  not  receive  the  half  of  their  salaries.  Even  in  our  own 
Classis,  there  is  an  example  of  a  pastor,  who,  if  he  should  wait  for 
the  payment  of  his  salary,  in  order  to  live  on  that,  would  not  be 
able  to  live  at  all.  It  is  true  that  the  misery  of  others  cannot  make 
you  happy;  still  you  may  therefrom  discover  that  by  returning 
to  the  Eatherland,  vour  necessities  would  not  mth  certainty  be 
overcome.  It  is  also  to  be  hoped  that  the  hard  headedness  of 
your  people  may  finally  yield  under  the  fiery  coals  laid  by  you 
upon  their  heads.  Surely  God,  who  is  very  liberal  in  rewarding, 
and  who  recognizes  no  service  as  more  acceptable  than  that  of  him 
who  is  ready  and  willing  to  labor  in  his  cause,  ^dll  not,  in  his 
providence,  always  leave  matters  thus.  In  his  own  unsearchable 
ways  he  is  able  to  place  you  above  loss  and  complaint. 

If  you  follow  our  counsel  in  this  matter,  we  mil  have  cause  to 


OF  THE  State  of  New  York.  743 

hold  your  memory  in  blessing,  your  name  in  honor,  and  your  pro- 
motion in  favor. 

Meantime,  we  wish  the  blessing  of  the  Most  High  upon  you, 
upon  your  service,  and  upon  your  family.  Commending  you  to 
God  and  the  word  of  his  grace,  we  remain,  with  hearty  greetings. 

Your  obedient  brethren 

of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
In  the  name  of  all. 

Amsterdam,  

April  21,  1680. 

Proposals  to  Raise  Funds  to  Erect  a  'N'ew  Dutch  Church. 

New  York  31  June  1680. 

At  a  meeting  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Clave  Stevens,  of  the  Ministers,  Elders,  Church- 
masters  and  Deacons,  Mr.  Predr.  Phillips,  Mr:  Cortlandt  and  Seer,  of  the  Councell, 
Mr.  Mayor,  Mr.  Beeckman,  and  Mr.  Jacobs,  Aldermen. 

To  consider  of  the  best  way  to  raise  money  for  the  building  of  the  New  Church 
recommended  by  the  Gov. — 

Free  will  or  Guift: —  A  publick  tax:  — 

Mr.  Ffredrick  Philips  Mr.  Nicholas  Bayard 

Mr.  Stephen  v.  Cortlandt  Mr.  Van  Vleck 

Mr.  Clave  Stephens  Mr.  John  Darvall. 

Mr.  Mayor 
Mr.  Beeckman 
Mr.  Jacobs 
Mr.  Coenraet 
Mr.  P.  Bayard 
De  Newenhuysen 
Mr.  Woolly. 

If  this  way  shall  not  be  effectual  to  raise  a  competent  summe  —  That  some  other 
way  be  considred  of  which  referred  to  the  Governor. 
How  to  give  notice  —  house  by  house  or  otherwise. 
To  bee  appointed  to  meete  at  certaine  times  at  the  towne  hall,  to  give  In  their 

subscriptions 

The  severall  streets, —  the  Inhabitants  to  appeare  upon  notice,  one  after  another— 

The  Country  people  at  the  Bowery,  Harlem,  etc.  upon  the  Isl.  to  have  notice,  and 
bee  spoken  to,  by  their  Officers,  Const.  Overseers,  etc. 

With  dimensions. 

The    Church   in   the   ffort   fifty   four   foot   wood   measure   without  —  about   fifty 

within  —  in  breadth. 

Proposed  to  be  somewhat  longer  and  broader,  but  more  In  length. 
A  quartr.  pt.—  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iil.  244. 


1680 


1680 


744  Ecclesiastical  Records 

Petitioist  of  Quakers  Against  Being  Fined  for  Solemnizing 
Marriages  According  to  Their  Own  Rites. 

To  the  Governor,  And  his  Councell  at  New  York. 

The  address  of  Henry  Willis  and  John  Bowne,  conserning  the  proceedings  of  a 
Court  Seshons  against  us  who  said  they  fined  us  ten  pounds  apeece  for  suffering 
our  daughters  to  marrie  contrary  to  their  law,  which  proceedings  we  are  satisfied  is 
without  precedent,  and  we  can  count  it  no  less,  but  either  a  mistake  or  hasty  over- 
sight, and  though  we  have  endeavoured  for  its  removall  yet  Execution  is  eishoed 
forth  and  Jos.  Lee  under  shiref  hath  seases  Hen.  Willis'  barne  of  corn  and  since 
taken  from  Jo.  Bowne  five  good  milch  cowes  and  drove  them  away  by  night  and 
kept  them  pownded  from  foode  moste  of  two  nights  one  day  and  part  of  a  day  that 
neighbours  was  generally  troubled  at  it.  Now  in  simplissity  we  doe  seriously  in- 
treat  all  that  may  be  conserned  here  in  seriously  to  consider  it  and  in  the  coolness 
of  your  spirits  without  anger  or  hard  thoughts  truly  to  waye  it  in  the  ballance  of 
Equity  where  the  wittness  of  God  may  arise  in  every  contience  to  testifie,  whether 
if  such  things  should  goe  on  and  be  proceeded  in  it  would  not  be  to  the  rewenating 
of  families  and  to  the  kindling  of  God's  anger  against  a  place  or  poeple  which  we 
truly  desire  may  be  prevented,  by  taking  away  ye  ocation,  whereof  we  make  our 
address  to  the  Chiefe  in  authority  knowing  that  Magistrates  authority  is  to  pre- 
serve men's  persons  and  Estates,  but  ye  perrogative  of  the  conscience  that  belongs 
to  God  and  we  dare  not  but  yeald  obedience  thereunto  as  God  hath  perswaded  our 
harts  and  we  doe  not  act  (as  sometimes  resented)  in  stubborness  obstaincy  or  con- 
tempt of  authority,  but  in  simplissity,  having  God's  fear  in  our  hearts  that  we  may 
keepe  our  consciences  clear  before  him  from  whom  we  receive  strength  to  uphould 
us  in  tryalls  and  exercise  and  we  earnestly  desire  ye  Lord  may  perswade  your 
hearts  unto  whome  we  are  now  concerned,  that  ye  may  remove  ye  cause  of  this  our 
address,  and  open  that  eye  in  you  that  can  see  us  as  we  are,  who  can  pray  for 
those  that's  in  authority  that  under  them  we  may  live  a  peaceable  holy  and  godlike 

life. 

Henry  Willis 

John  Bowne. 

Ye  4th  of  ye  7th  mo.  1680.—  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  ill.  605,  606. 

Certificate  for  Rev.  Charles  Wolley.* 

1680,  July  15. 
A  Certificate  to  Mr.  Charles  Wolley  to  go  for  England  in  the  Hopewell. 

Sr.  Edmund  Andros,  Knt.  etc.  Whereas  Mr.  Charles  Wolley  (a  minister  of  the 
Church  of  England,)  came  over  into  these  parts  in  the  month  of  August,  1678,  and 
hath  officiated  accordingly  as  Chaplain  under  his  Royall  Highness  during  the  time 
of  his  abode  here.  Now  upon  applicacon  for  leave  to  return  for  England,  in  order 
to  some  promocon  in  the  Church  to  which  he  is  presented,  hee  having  liberty  to 
proceed  on  his  voyage.  These  are  to  certify  the  above,  and  that  the  said  Mr.  Wolley 
hath  in  this  place  comported  himself  unblameable  in  his  life  and  conversacou.  In 
testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  sett  my  hand  and  seal  of  the  Province  in  New 
Yorke  this  15th  day  of  July,  in  the  32nd  yeare  of  His  Majestyes  Raigne,  Annoq. 
Domine,  1680. 

Examined  by  mee,  M.  N.  Seer.— Perry's  Hist.  Am.  Epis.  Ch.  152;  Dix's  Hist. 
Trinity  Ch.  i.  53. 


•  There  was  a  Charles  Wolley  admitted  a  freeman  of  New  York,  1702. 


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